Is there a US work visa that doesn't require sponsorship?

[JStone 0]

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Im sorry if this is going to be a long post, but I really want to give you guys my background.

Im originally from Australia and came to the US in the Fall of 2009 on an F-1 Visa to attend College.

I graduated this past May with my Accounting degree and applied for OPT. My OPT application was pretty late. I wanted to work in Denver for an Accounting firm, but all the companies that I spoke with wouldn't sponsor or wouldn't talk to me until my OPT was accepted. I was offered an accounting job in the town my school was in, and I accepted it. They were really good about waiting for my Visa to come in, so it seemed like a no brainer to me. My OPT was accepted July and I begun work the day after I received my card.

One of the accounting firms that I applied for when I was going through the OPT process has since got back to me and interviewed me a couple of weeks ago. This company is my dream job. Its in Denver and the company is amazing. I received a phone call today from their HR saying that it is their company policy to not sponsor employees. She said that if I didn't need sponsorship, she would be offering me a job on the spot.

So, at the moment I really have no idea what to do. I really want to be able to work there, but I don't really know where to begin. My understanding is that the e3 and H1b visas both require sponsorship, is there any that don't?

Im also currently studying to become a CPA, and I need to work at a CPA firm (which my current job isn't) before I can become a CPA.

I'd really appreciate some help/ideas at the moment about where I should go from here.

Thanks,

[iishlegend 1]

either you get married to a US citizen, win the lottery or hope they employ you from Australia and send you over.

[JStone 0]

either you get married to a US citizen, win the lottery or hope they employ you from Australia and send you over.

Thats what I was worried about. Theres no chance that they would send me over....

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Then you are not qualified to accept the position. You need to convince them it is their loss if they don't sponsor you

[Boiler 43,434]

The whole point of OPT is to get a job with an employer who will sponsor you.

[JStone 0]

Thank you for your replies.

Then you are not qualified to accept the position. You need to convince them it is their loss if they don't sponsor you

I understand what you're saying. I doubt that they will change their policy for an entry-level employee. I wasn't sure

The whole point of OPT is to get a job with an employer who will sponsor you.

When I graduated in May I had about 30-40 rejection letters/emails from companies all saying the same thing. Either, they don't sponsor or they wouldn't talk to me until I was eligible to work in the US. I had saved up some money through my CPT and working on Campus jobs, but by the time July came, I had spent it all and almost maxed out my Credit Card. So, I took the local job that I could start right away out of necessity, but it isn't where I want to be long-term.

This new offer would set me up long-term, enable me to obtain my CPA and it is significantly more money (about $20k more).

[iishlegend 1]

you could form a start up, offer your services as a contractor but you need to apply for an investor visa stating you will be a lawful employer. by then, you don't even need to look for jobs anymore. you're just your own boss. or just move on. the labour policy here is pro-us citizens.

[jan22 2,898]

The whole point of OPT is to get a job with an employer who will sponsor you.

No, the point of OPT is to provide practical experience in the field of study before returning to your home country. The fact that it can be/is often used as a stepping stone to immigration does not change the intent behind the law.

[Boiler 43,434]

I was focussing more on reality. Interesting article on h1b in the guardian today. Available on line.

[genddob 10]

Gah - get an E3!!! You do not need to be "sponsored" for an E3!! The employer must apply online for an LCA but that's it. Their obligation is to give you the LCA and a job offer. The rest is up to you. It's cheap, fast, you can be working for them as soon as you can get an appointment at a consulate outside the US.

The word "sponsorship" conjures up in the employers mind getting labor petitions and thousands of dollars of lawyer fees etc. This is NOT required for the E3. It would be a MUCH better option for you.

[Boiler 43,434]

E3 has been mentioned.

I tend to think of it as the Ausrptralian only H1b even if most of the applicants seem to be Indian.

[JStone 0]

Gah - get an E3!!! You do not need to be "sponsored" for an E3!! The employer must apply online for an LCA but that's it. Their obligation is to give you the LCA and a job offer. The rest is up to you. It's cheap, fast, you can be working for them as soon as you can get an appointment at a consulate outside the US.

The word "sponsorship" conjures up in the employers mind getting labor petitions and thousands of dollars of lawyer fees etc. This is NOT required for the E3. It would be a MUCH better option for you.

Genddob - Thank you! I have a job line dup, but the employer keeps telling me that they won't sponsor. I've tried telling them that it isn't a sponsorship, but I don't really know what else to tell them!

I saw that you had an E3 visa, do you have a thread on your application or could you elaborate on your timeline with he E3 for me?

[lost_at_sea 995]

E3 visa information from Canberra embassy: http://canberra.usembassy.gov/e3visa.html

[genddob 10]

I have had 4 E-3's since 2008. I now have a green card after marriage to a USC. What do you want to know? I got my first one in Australia and since then have got the rest in Toronto. One was a new one (same employer, different job), the rest were E-3R (renewals). The longest part is getting the appointment in Toronto. The LCA generally takes 7 days or less online. Apart from giving a job offer letter, that really is the extent of the employer's obligations (unless they agree to reimburse your trip/s to get/renew the visa.

[JStone 0]

I have had 4 E-3's since 2008. I now have a green card after marriage to a USC. What do you want to know? I got my first one in Australia and since then have got the rest in Toronto. One was a new one (same employer, different job), the rest were E-3R (renewals). The longest part is getting the appointment in Toronto. The LCA generally takes 7 days or less online. Apart from giving a job offer letter, that really is the extent of the employer's obligations (unless they agree to reimburse your trip/s to get/renew the visa.

Thank you!

How long did it take to get an appointment in Toronto?