½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Moving while work visa is pending.

Post new topic

Adamazin

Hi everyone,

I’m in the early stages of planning my move to the states and there’s already a question I can’t really find an answer too.

I plan on getting a company to sponsor me in order to get a visa but I’ve read that the process can take anywhere up to 1 year to complete. Is it possible to move and work for the company while the visa is still pending?

1 year is a long time for a company to wait and I don’t really want to wait that long either.

Any help on this is much appreciated and apologies if this topic already has a thread.

Ciambella

You cannot legally work without authorization.  Any company worth its salt would not risk legal ramification by hiring someone who doesn't have a valid work visa. 

It puzzles me that you desire to come to the States to work but don't want to wait for the time to acquire the proper document.  Impatience has never been the best way to deal with government in any country especially on the issue of immigration.

If the company truly needs you, it would quickly comply with special labor regulations then pay immigration fees to sponsor you. 

If the company doesn't want to wait, it should show proof that it's in dire need of your expertise. 

If the waiting time seems excessive, it could've been that the company isn't willing to pay the fees, doesn't care to subject itself to additional regulations, and doesn't think your potential contribution to the team is worth the trouble and expense.  Except for rare cases, most companies could easily find plenty of qualified applicants for every open position without paying a fee or filling out a form.  After all, there are at least 200 million people of working ages living in 50 states and DC, there's no need to search far and wide.

twostep

The short answer is NO. You can read up details on uscis.gov.

Adamazin

Thanks twostep, that has everything I need.

Neilg

Is it possible for you to work abroad for the employer while you get your visa in place?  You could possibly look to work from the UK until your visa is in place.

stumpy

@Neilg

Short answer, no.

Articles to help you in your expat project in the USA

All of the USA's guide articles