You are at the right place!!! For everyone who is willing to go to the United States of America. Its a dream to travel to the distant land for work. United States is called as the Land of Oppurtunites.
One of the best things for a IT professional going for work in US is the culture, the way the people work the amount of oppurtunities the country give for the people all over the world. Not only the work, meeting new people, new places and a better quality of life, I have always dreamt to go to US.
The first thing that comes into mind is the VISA. Once you have the VISA you can start your plan to travel to US.
For any US VISA there should be a sponser who can file your case. There are basically three kinds of VISAs. Visitors (validity 3-6months per visit for 10 years multiple entry), H1B (work permit 3 years), L1 (Long term work from an Indian company) and B1 (Bussiness 3 months per visit).
If you really would like to work in US independently it would be the H1B VISA. H1B VISA is granted for professionals with rare skill sets. It helps the IT professionals having very good knowledge about a particular software or technology.
If you are already in Software for more than 4 years here are the step to follow for H1B.
1) Look for a good job openings in one of the good job portals like naukri, monster etc., (go for international option). You can also search with criteria as H1B which gives a list of consultants or companies who can sponser H1B VISA for you.
2) Investigate all the options skills they need and most importantly whats their strength. Most of the employers or consultants try different skill sets and different domains. Try for a consultant who is strong in your skill sets and your domain, who really can provide a job.
3) Its really good if you get a consultant who doesnt collect the so called security deposit (upto 1.5 lakh rupees) and who can really arrange a client interview (telephonic to India), otherwise you need to start your career in US with a in-house project within the consultancy firm and then later try some interview once you reach US (this happens if the consultant doesnt have experience or existing clients for your profile).
4) Once you choose your consultant the consultant might ask you to sign contract for 6 months to 1 year. If you are willing to sign a contract that you need to check all the terms and conditions including the return of the security deposit (if applicable), your initial accomodation, amenities and travel arrangements. Most of the people ignore these terms as its takes more than 6 months to process the H1B VISA and also dont forget to collect all the reciepts of any payments you made towards the consultant (take copy of checks or draft you give him get it stamped and signed by the consultant that he has collected them)
5) Get all your documents scanned into a CD-ROM.
All your 10th, 12th (certificates and marksheets)
For B.tech guys, your Original B.tech Certificate and all your individual marksheet stubs along with your Polytechnic Certificate and mark sheets (if applicable).
For MCA guys, your B.Sc marksheets, Certificate and your Original MCA Certificate and all your individual marksheet stubs
All letters of your previous employment history and proofs (all appointment letters and relieving letter applicable till date). Your latest updated resume which should exactly match the letters and proof documents that you are submitting). (It is higly advisible to be honest as the US consulate respects integrity and honesty and rejects fake).
Proofs of certification of any special skills sets, appreciation letters etc., would really help.
6) Once the case is filed with all your scanned documents and if everything goes fine, you will get your VISA documents (Labour agreement and by October of the same year (if your employer files your case before april). Once your employer recieves your documents, he sends them to you so that you can proceed with VISA stamping at the consulate.
The VISA processing for US is a little slower than for other countries. The reason would be the number of applicants from India and also the security reasons. The most important thing to know about US Consulate is that they are very strict in integrity, they also look at the confidence and the communication skills.
7) Once you recieve your papers you can take an appointment with the consulate (location of the consulate can be seen on your H1B document).
US consulate has outsource their VISA related work to single agency called VFS (Visa Facilitation Services).
(i) You need to pay around 4000/- at HDFC bank towards the consulate as a fee. HDFC bank guides you and gives you two reciepts (one for you and one for the consulte).
(ii) You can use the reciept number to book an appointment by filling two forms DS-156/157.
8) Once you get the appointment date, get ready with all your documents, its advisible to carry even the employer's tax and employee list along with phone numbers and also carry your current and previous employers' phone numbers (in India/Abroad) and your tech lead or project managers' personal numbers. Also collect the project detail information (a letter on US employer's letter pad) which specifies your responsibilities, function and technical requirements of the project. If you already have a job at client's location in US, please dont forget to carry the client letter inviting you to their company. Also carry your current employer's (Indian company) ID card and your passport ofcourse. Also carry all your original documents you submitted while filing the case along the latest other documents (incase if you changed jobs after filing your case).
You can wear the ID card on the day of your interview with the consulate. Be honest and try to answer the consulate questions short (try to address the question and give a satisfactory answer rather than dragging to ask you more).
Most of the times the questions would be
1. Whats your qualifiation?
2. Which project would you be working on in the United States?
3. Since when are you working with your current employer?
9) Once your VISA gets granted it would be sent you your present address mentioned in VFS by courier within 2 to 7 working days.
