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Ask HN: Alternative to H1B

12 points by helpmeycombo ↗ HN
I am from India. I want to work with US Tech company. I have heard that H1B is hassle. Is there any good affordable alternative to H1B?

17 comments

[ 2.9 ms ] story [ 30.2 ms ] thread
WHATDOESIT
Intra-company transfer, but it's more restricted than H1B - the hassle falls on your employer though.
dilyevsky
Extraordinary ability O-1. Get a PhD, a few notable publications and conference talks, 5-7 recommendation letters from credited industry professionals + some other paperwork and you should be all set.
UncleMeat
O-1 is getting harder. You really want a postdoc as well at this point.
dilyevsky
I’ve been hearing that. Don’t think it was ever easy to begin with but not a ton of options to choose from…
screye
Isn't O1 incredibly easy to get in the arts ? It's insane that it continues to be so much harder to get it in the Sciences.
codegeek
Find an employer who has local offices in India. This will rule out startups or very small companies. Work for them for at least a year. Do a great job. Convince your team/manager to apply for an L1B visa.
thescribbblr
Your website seems not working.
codegeek
Aah I realized the www prefix is not working with https. I have fixed the URL for now without www prefix.
thescribbblr
Cool. Can access the site now and great content, consuming one by one now.
pkrotich
I think you're asking how to immigrate to US rather than how to work for a US based company. Marry an American - it's only $10K. I'm joking, of course, but it's the easiest!

I would recommend looking into Canada as an alternative.

chrismeller
As an American who just moved to Canada I can recommend that route. It was far faster, cheaper, and easier for my non-American wife and I both to immigrate to Canada than for me to get my wife into the US.
surds
Right now, every visa is a hassle. It is unreal how much of a bottleneck US Immigration system has become - no visa appointment slots for months, or years in some cases.

Then, if you do get a H1, you will likely never get a Green card given the current rules.

For short term (5-7 years), you may surely consider getting some sort of work visa. Long term, if you are looking for PR, US is not the one to look at for Indians.

I am in mid 30s, got PR approval 5 years ago. At current rate, I will retire and still not have a PR. It’s ridiculous, but not funny at all.

digianarchist
People are recommending L1B but you need to keep in mind that it’s not portable like H1B so you will depend on EAD/AP which is a precarious situation to be in.