How to get hired in the US from Germany?

New

New

Oct 2, 2021 15 Comments

Hey Blind, I'm currently working in Berlin as a Junior Security Engineer/SRE with 4 MOE and 76k TC. I'm finishing my masters degree in IT-Sec on the side, which is gonna take about 1 more year (I'm 26). After that I wanted to move to the US to increase TC. But I'm not sure how the process works.

I've read that H-1B is only given out some time in march, so does that mean I should only apply very early in the year? If I apply in September and get an offer, would I then have to wait until march next year to get an H-1B and then wait another 6 months or so until H-1B is approved and I can actually move to the US and begin working?

What do you think my chances are for 1. getting offers in high-end US companies (FAANG, etc.) and 2. getting an H-1B? (had some internships in pentesting/consulting, have certs (Cloud, OSCP, SANS GCIA), have developer skills too, now 4 months FT in AppSec/Infra in a FinTech)

Alternatives to H-1B would be DV, L1, maybe F1(PhD)? But I guess H-1B offers the easiest path to a GC other than the DV.

Any other advice you have for me will be greatly appreciated too! Thanks!
#tech #immigration #greencard #h-1b #germany

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 15 Comments
  • Amazon
    yAQc24 99

    Go to company page Amazon

    yAQc24 99
    Here is what I see people do:

    - Get into a FAANG in the city that you currently live in.
    - After 6 months you can switch teams at least in Amazon. You can look for positions with international relocations.
    - Find a team in US - get L1 visa.
    - Don’t wait for green card (you can if you want to but your us salary won’t be competitive)
    - with a us address in your resume apply for other companies
    Oct 2, 2021 2
    • You can’t switch companies with an L1 visa. You would need either a green card or h1b to do that. But I agree the easiest would be to find a company with offices in the US+EU and start in EU and then transfer after a year
      Oct 2, 2021
    • Wayfair
      melon_fusk

      Go to company page Wayfair

      melon_fusk
      Is it easy to ask your manager after 1 yoe in the company? Or manager can reject?
      Oct 2, 2021
  • SAP
    ARjz53

    Go to company page SAP

    ARjz53
    Join SAP in Germany. Transfer to Palo Alto. Marry American. Become citizen. Quit SAP. Profit.
    Oct 2, 2021 1
  • Apple
    aWVt68

    Go to company page Apple

    aWVt68
    2 most common options are doing a masters in USA or intra company transfer from local location. Every other option is a much lower probability. H1b is a lottery and there is no guarantee you will get it.
    Oct 2, 2021 6
  • New
    uberalles

    New

    uberalles
    Easiest way will be with DV lottery,especially for Europeans.
    Oct 2, 2021 2
    • New

      New

      OP
      I will try, but sadly from what I've read the chances for me are still only about 1-2%
      Oct 2, 2021
    • I won the DV lottery in 2005, try you must in parallel to other efforts.
      Oct 2, 2021