What would you recommend if optimizing for speed of gaining US citizenship (or at least: GC)? Also considering I eventually want to switch jobs, ideally to FANG or the like, rather sooner than later. 1) Apply to FANG directly in US and go there on H1B 2) Apply to FANG in Europe and try to transfer to US on L1 3) Apply to FANG in Europe and try to transfer to US on H1B 4) Go to US on L1 sponsored by current employer and switch to FANG over there 5) Go to US on H1B sponsored by current employer and switch to FANG over there 6) Any other/better options I am missing? This is for a German citizen.
Is Germany your country of birth?.. if so, any of the above options are fine. Coming to US on L1 might be easier since H1B is hard to get. If your country of birth is India or China or Mexico or phillippines or Vietnam, then good luck getting a green card; it will take forever.
But it's not possible to transfer jobs on L1, is it?
He says he's a German citizen. What difference does it make the place where he was born?
‘TheAwesome’ ... Come back after you pass the interview in FANG
Country of birth is Germany, too
@whatalife: Yeah but it depends on where to apply (Europe vs US)
If you’re talented and they want you, it doesn’t matter where you apply. They’ll let you choose location if you’re good. That’s why I suggest interviewing first.
I see.. But isn't it super hard to get H1B right now? I assume they can only have you work in one of their Europe offices first and file for L1 (or H1B) in parallel. Or do they have any other option? Besides, doesn't filing for L1 require having worked for that company outside of US for a year or so already? Also, I might need some time to prepare for FANG interviews. Thats why I was also considering the L1 (or H1B) route via my current employer. Not sure if that really speeds up the process, though...
@whatalife: Also the main goal is the US citizenship. FANG is important, too, but lower prio
Marry US citizen?
Why would you move from Germany to this shithole though?
I used to live in the valley a few years back (on J1) and I really loved it. Germany has its upsides, of course, but companies here don't pay much respect to Software Engineers. Just look at the ridicolous TC for Software Engineers here. It's all about business people. There is a huge difference in culture: Companies in Silicon Valley are ruled by Engineers, whereas companies in Germany are ruled by business guys. Im my view, this is one of our major problems and also the reason why we don't attract the necessary talent.
Thanks for the detailed answer. I studied in Germany for a couple of years. I loved it there! Never worked in a Corp though. Best of luck in your career!
Get a German company with significant business here to transfer you with an E1 visa. Get them then to sponsor GC. E1 is a matter of weeks and no competition.
Thanks! I didn't know about E1. How long would it take to go from E1 to GC?
E1 is a stash of company-tied visas, you’ll be in the country legally within 4 weeks. Embassy in Frankfurt to approve. If you negotiate to start the GC process instantly, it can be 18-24 months maybe?
Get an L1, then apply for GC ASAP. Then you can FANG hop as much as you want. At the same time you can interview and try your luck with H1B at FANG but at least you’re not wasting time.
Thanks! I can only start "FANG hopping" after actually receiving the GC though, right? Or already after filing for it?? How long would it take to go from L1 to receiving the GC? Is it actually possible to file for H1B after having applied for GC (via L1) already?
L1 ties you to the company you’re working at so you can’t leave until you receive your GC, filing isn’t enough. GCs petitions have highly varying durations but I believe you can file for it right after you get to the US. (Some companies, like Nike, want you to have worked for them for one year in the US before they file for GC) I don’t think the second scenario works. Applying for an H1B would mean you’re outside the US but leaving would cancel your GC petition?
How can I report this comment for being too sarcastic and not related?