Did anybody recently get a job in the USA (in a bank or a hedge fund) by applying from outside of the country? How are things with visa (H1-B) sponsorship currently? I looked at Bank of America (it does not seem like sponsoring "in normal practice", at least for now), but cannot find exact information for other companies.I am especially interested how are the things right after PhD (say, PhD done in the UK), but other examples are nice to see as well.

i would think its an extremely low probability event. unemployment is 9.4% in the US. perhaps in the days of full employment ?

I once heard Larry Fink saying that sponsoring foreigner employees in UK is much easier than US.

QuoteOriginally posted by: proximo20I once heard Larry Fink saying that sponsoring foreigner employees in UK is much easier than US.I heard that as well. First, because UK does not have a limit on the number of applicants (yet:). Does anybody know whether the requirements (payments) for the company in the US are more strict (larger)?QuoteOriginally posted by: daveangeli would think its an extremely low probability event. unemployment is 9.4% in the US. perhaps in the days of full employment ?Among which areas? I had a hope that for highly specialized jobs (like quants) the situation is improving now (in finance). Does it sound reasonable for you?

some firms hire. i know that for a fact

Lot of H1-B visas are available this year. They have only approved about 10,000 H1-B in the first 3 months against annual quota of 85,000. Normally, the full annual quota of 85,000 H1-B visas goes in one week. The main problem is getting the labor certification from the labor department. Without that, no visa.Minimum salary for H1-B is $60,000 which all quants will satisfy.But government mood is to save American jobs, so unless you have a good lawyer, it is tough to get the labor certification.

QuoteOriginally posted by: traderjoe1976 unless you have a good lawyer, it is tough to get the labor certification.Is that me who should have a good lawyer or the company? I thought the company applies on behalf of the potential employee. And if the company, I guess affording a good lawyer for these purposes does not look too bad for investment banks or large funds.

get into a body shop as a programmer, then find a better job and transfer your visa

QuoteOriginally posted by: jawabeanget into a body shop as a programmer, then find a better job and transfer your visaThat's an interesting way, is it easier to get to a body shop (in terms of visas)? And is there kind of visa to transfer from body shop to invest bank?

QuoteOriginally posted by: TeodorQuoteOriginally posted by: jawabeanget into a body shop as a programmer, then find a better job and transfer your visaThat's an interesting way, is it easier to get to a body shop (in terms of visas)? And is there kind of visa to transfer from body shop to invest bank?it's the same visa. the only issue is a labor category, imho. if they get you as soft eng, then you probably have to stay in the same category

QuoteOriginally posted by: jawabeanQuoteOriginally posted by: TeodorQuoteOriginally posted by: jawabeanget into a body shop as a programmer, then find a better job and transfer your visaThat's an interesting way, is it easier to get to a body shop (in terms of visas)? And is there kind of visa to transfer from body shop to invest bank?it's the same visa. the only issue is a labor category, imho. if they get you as soft eng, then you probably have to stay in the same categoryBody shop was a feasible method about a year back. USCIS has clamped down on this method since they will expect the sponsoring company to show that they own the project they will place you on. Bodyshopping business is now slowing down because of this change. Besides you seriously want to consider if you want to use this alternative. For many reasons it is not desirable.

QuoteOriginally posted by: Teodor Is that me who should have a good lawyer or the company? I thought the company applies on behalf of the potential employee. And if the company, I guess affording a good lawyer for these purposes does not look too bad for investment banks or large funds.Large firms have reassuringly expensive large law firms on retainer for visa work. It is necessary that you have a skill that cannot be found within USA.

QuoteOriginally posted by: ArthurDentIt is necessary that you have a skill that cannot be found within USA.it sounds convincing, but in reality anybody can get in. lawyers will make sure you look unique and a firm will suffer without you