Echoes22

So what is the plan?

that is what i am trying to figure out... her not being here in the usa physically is what makes this difficult...

What about a student visa? Is she interested in continuing her studies? Most Iranians I've seen in the U.S. came on a student visa.

And if she already has her bachelor's degree, she can find a master's or PhD program and those are way more likely to offer a scholarship/stipend therefore bypassing the problem of ridiculously expensive undergraduate education in the U.S....

But I digress...

I tried to tell her to do that but she doesn't think she will pass the TOEFL... and she is impatient to do so.

What is she seeking asylum from

Her Gov't's oppression. Especially towards women. Her brother already fled to Europe. Now it's her and her sister.

http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/page?page=49e486f96&submit=GO

She's not a refugee in Iran. She is iranian aka Persian...

The US immigration system is based around family and employment. Without either, there aren't really any options other than asylum.

Asylum is an option though how to go about it since she is there and not here to seek asylum is the question. Her brother made the journey and sought asylum in the Netherlands but that is too dangerous a journey for a woman. Took him two months via Turkey, Greece etc.

She has been pushing for a marriage or "fiancee" way of entry but I have been dissuading her from that route. Told her that could end up bad etc.

The US immigration system is based around family and employment. Without either, there aren't really any options other than asylum.

She has been pushing for a "fiancee" way to entry but I have been dissuading her. Telling her those sometimes don't end up good. Asylum is an option but how to go about it is the question when she is there & not here to seek asylum.

Diversity visa?

She has entered every year for the past 4 years i believe... never wins.

A person I know wants to immigrate from Iran but doesn't have the usual ways to do it like family or work sponsor. Any suggestions or ideas? Or an organization you can put me in touch with? She has a degree in Biology...

Further edu action maybe, followed by OPT and a job offer.

The edu action would have to be in the U.S. as staying in Iran for that is not an option..... what is OPT?

There is no simple answer. It depends on the individual circumstances.

Certainly seen it mentioned that you make them come to you. Most of the people I have come across were approached by the US company.

Linkedin for example.

I have mixed feelings about Linkedin... i myself have a profile there and have never been approached by any company in my field. Any other suggestions for jobs? I redid her resume and a generic cover letter. Even have a long list of bio related companies and wondering if just sending resumes to their "Careers" links might work.

Sounds like all she can afford is a Yugo.

She has money and can support herself financially. Money isn't the issue, just the visa to enter the country is. So I would say she can probably afford a BMW give or take.

GC Lottery?

What does she have to offer a US Employer? She does not work in the area of her qualifications?

She already entered the Visa Lottery 2 times and was not picked. She re-entered in Oct 2014 and the results come out in May.

As for what she can offer a US Employer, a much needed employee in the field of science. If you read articles and such lately, the U.S. needs to fill positions in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math). Hence why H-1B visas are so in demand by both big and small companies.

And no, she hasn't worked in Biology other then to tutor other students in Biology & science. The reason being is because there is not a big demand for biologists in Iran. But she has the knowledge & degree to do the job.

I agree, why only the US? Are you, the 'friend' part of that reason?

I suggest if she is that desperate to leave Iran that she opens up her search radius.

If she is bent on the US then she NEED a U.S. company to sponsor her for a work visa

good luck

I'm not sure what you mean about "Are you, the friend part of that reason?". We are friends and she is a friend who is in Iran. I'm in NY. <shrugs> .

As for needing a U.S. company to sponsor her, that also goes without saying. I mentioned it in my original post that i already know that. But how to go about it if she does not have one for sponsor right now? Start applying with pharmaceutical and other biology/science related companies via internet? Do interviews via skype? Travel to Europe to job fairs where U.S. companies attend? etc. etc. Everyone says you NEED a U.S. company to sponsor you but no one says how to go about it.

Why she wants to go only US...??? why not any other country where women treated as good as men and also she can get a better job... its seems like she just want to have US citizenship.. Getting a Work visa from US is not easy as long as for its own local company there is alot of process is involved.

Advise her to apply for Canadian or Australian citizenship with her Degree behalf. I am sure they will accept her.

That she wants U.S. citizenship goes without saying... Anyone who wants to immigrate to the U.S. wants a better life and citizenship. Canada & Australia are not options for her because she wants the U.S. It is simple as that. Like if you wanted a Cadillac and not a Ford car... same thing.

Hi everyone. This is the situation: I have a friend in Iran who desperately wants to immigrate to the USA for obvious reasons about the situation in Iran for women and citizens in general because it's a theocracy. She has a Bachelor's in Biology though currently she does not work as a Biologist because of very little demand for that field in Iran. My questions are below and please no replies about marriage, fiancee or family visas:

1. Which work visa is better suited for her and her field?

2. i understand a job needs to sponsor her but what does she do if she does not have a job offer in the USA? Should she start applying for Biologist positions and doing interviews via Skype? Perhaps job fairs/recruitments in Europe which American companies attend?

3. What about as a refugee or asylee? Women are not treated very well in Iran afterall.... though nothing has really happened to her that I know of.

I think that is the only questions i have for now... if i have other questions i will add it later in the thread. Thanks.....