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Ask HN: Have you immigrated to the US from another country? How did you do that?

9 points by rayalez ↗ HN
Hi! I am an aspiring programmer, and I live in a forlorn country where a future for a programmer, entrepreneur, or a computer scientist looks pretty bleak.

If you have moved to the US from another country - can you please share your experience?

11 comments

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gshakir
I am not sure if my experience would be relevant now, but I moved from India to attend a graduate school and moved on to H-1B etc.
contingencies
I moved with a company but left when that gig finished (we were acquired)... since the 10 days they give you to leave when a gig is up or be jailed for immigration violation is totally ridiculous. I therefore figured I'd cut my losses and get out while the going was good versus stay in a jurisdiction that mistreats its talent.
srameshc
I think the best way would be to attend a graduate school and then live/work in US.
neoterics
I came here for my undergraduate and then went on to H-1B, but that requires you to be in a position where the company deems you valuable enough for them to spend time and money to sponsor your visa. Also with the quotas getting filled on the first few days itself, it is literally a lottery.

If you are a little flexible, I would suggest applying for immigration to Canada, the path to US would become a bit easier that way (through TN - but that has it's restrictions too).

I've been in US for more than 13 years and my future in this country is still uncertain because the Green Card process is tied to employment and takes forever, I still have a 4 to 6 year queue in front of me. In the meantime, I applied for a Permanent Resident status for Canada and just got it this past July, without ever having stepped into that country! My plan is to work in US for sometime and move to Canada, live there for few years to get my Canadian passport and then decide where I want to live.

NhanH
I'm interested in learning the immigration path to Canada, but unlike the US, I haven't found many people with experience in Canada immigration, especially the path you took (PR via job and stuffs). Do you mind if I have your email for a few questions?

My email is also in my profile, if you don't want to post your email here. Thanks much!

leap_ahead
You may want to consider Europe too. Many countries will give you their citizenship in just 5 years. No dependence on the employer, change them at your will.

You also get free education for your children, relatively free medical help as well as the cultural diversity.

dylanjermiah
He said he's a technology entrepreneur, Europe isn't exactly the best place for a tech startup.
leap_ahead
He said nothing of the kind. He said he was "an aspiring programmer". That type can find a good place in Europe as well.

It's not the place that makes you successful, it's your efforts. Getting into the US alone won't change your life. You have to bring something with you. If you've got nothing, then, well, you've got nothing.

dylanjermiah
"...where a future for a programmer, entrepreneur, or a computer scientist looks pretty bleak." Perhaps I misphrased it.

Efforts definitely count, and you can build a successful company anywhere(almost). That being said, if you're aiming to maximise the chances of success for a tech company, the US, specifically SV is your best bet. No other area in the world has the same level of VC and talent.

leap_ahead
VCs are overrated. They can take your company and throw you out if they don't like you. I have actually witnessed that happen. Stay clear of them if you don't want to lose your business.

Talent of SV is also overrated. Smart people are available everywhere, many of them not interested in going to the US. Pay them reasonable salary and they will build you anything.

dylanjermiah
Well we're both talking subjectively. But let's look at some data. The most successful tech companies in history, where are the majority located?