Amazon vs Microsoft in terms of H-1B visa
People of blind, I would need your advice in choosing an offer. I have received an offer from Amazon and Microsoft. Amazon Alexa Shopping (Bay Area) TC: 260k L5 SDE2 Microsoft Azure Data and Intelligence (Redmond) TC: 200k first year, 160k the following years L60 I am currently on F1 OPT and I have 2 more H-1B tries. Microsoft is promising to send me to Canada if I don’t get H-1B and bring me back. I hear Amazon would give me an option to switch to countries and then I could come back to Us on L1 (Not sure) I want to stay in Bay Area because my girlfriend and family are here. Would Microsoft give me an opportunity in Bay Area? Microsoft Bay Area folks could you please advice? Can someone from Amazon tell me if Amazon would bring back? How easy is it at Amazon? YoE: 2 Current TC: 160k PS: could you please provide your insights through comments?
Level 5 will need Manager approval. True. But most managers are flexible with this. You can start discussions with manager from first day and does not depend on H1B. I can’t speak for Microsoft.
What would Amazon do in case employees won’t get H-1B? I know Microsoft sends people to Canada. My manager said on a phone conversation that my team is present only in Seattle and Palo Alto.
With three H1B tries, I wouldn’t be very worried. The odds are in your favor. However if for any reason, you do not get H1B, there are options to switch roles and work out of Canada , Luxembourg. You are not required to be on that team specifically. And you can come back on L1 after 1yr. Of course, there are lots of dependencies that only your manager and HR will be able to answer. I may be biased but I don’t see why Microsoft has to wait for you to get your H1B before they file gc.
Amazon has a policy of applying for green card on day 1 starting at level 4.
Amazon will surely help you with all immigration stuff. Also you can come back to Bay Area in different team if you want.
You should ask them about options for Green Card. Both companies are generous with gc sponsorship and both would file for you even on F1 OPT. I am not sure what the dependencies are for SDE2.
Microsoft said they would apply for Green Card 6 months after I get H-1B. The recruiter at Amazon said that Green Card would depend on the manager. But from reading posts on blind I understood that Amazon would be willing to apply for Green Card in Day 1 for L5 and above. I am not sure what would Amazon do if I don’t get H-1B in the next two tries. Microsoft said they have Vancouver office just for that. To send employees and bring them back on L1 Visa. Could you please share insights about Amazon? If I join Microsoft it would just be for Visa. On the other hand, can I ask Microsoft for Bay Area? I want to stay with my girlfriend and family.
Get it in writing.