Dear Blind Community, My spouse recently relocated to the US on an H4 visa. Given the long processing times for H4 EAD due to perm-stage backlogs, I'm eager to explore interim work authorization options. We have also applied to a college but it also starts in the fall of '24 making both options costly with time and money.(EDIT: from the looks of it both of these options are gonna take 8+ months) My spouse has around 10 years of experience in software engineering, most recently as an engineering manager at a startup in India leading a 20+ member team across software, ETL, BI, QA. We intend to stay in the US long-term (5+ years). I would greatly appreciate any insights or recommendations on suitable career pathways, especially ones that can leverage technical expertise. Some key questions: 1. What short-term upskilling/reskilling programs in tech could be worthwhile? 2. Which companies or firms have visa sponsorship programs that could enable a full-time job or sponsor H1B? 3. Are contract or freelance workspace gigs a possibility given the visa constraints? 4. What alumni or community groups help with guidance around jobs for H4 visa holders? I'm eager to chart out a productive career for my spouse given the uncertainties of the H4 EAD. Thank you for your time and guidance. PS. As much as this is primarily for career guidance if you have some thoughts/tips/suggestions for someone in this situation that can be productive please feel free to write. Thank you in advance! #tech #H4EAD #careeradvice #visaguidance #jobsearch #engineering
Sit tight for EAD. Honestly speaking process All ur stuffs and let her continue her career there for a while. If you want more info DM. been in similar situation.
Sit tight hand wait for the EAD. It will come in 3-4 months. Till then u have no other option. Invest this time in urself for personal growth. Do some Leetcode practice. Engineering manager will have to crack leetcode interviews in US. Read books on management philosophy and prep for those behavior rounds. Also, take a small break and enjoy a vacation. Get her US driving license and all figured out. It takes a while to get used to the US too.
Thanks for your reply. From the looks of it, the EAD will take about a year since the perm process filing has just begun.
Oh u mean u don’t have an i140 approved yet. U just have to wait it out. No other legal way. College and then opt is going to put u right around the same time as EAD approval.