is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
(OP)
I am working in the USA for a number of years and was wondering is it possible. Or have u got to have sponsorship or something from a company or relative or inlaw ...?





RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
Clearly you have posted this in the right forum as the english makes no sense at all.
If you're asking if it's possible to work in the USA when you're already working there, then clearly you have answered your own question. If you're just asking generally if it's possible in the USA then without defining the subject then you can have a myriad of replies. Those in the USA might invoke the old 'american dream" and say everything is possible in the US. Others might say - is it possible in the USA? Sadly, yes. Others might also add that it's also possible anywhere in the world. In fact the possibilities are endless.
corus
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
Depends...
NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
For some engineering jobs, it is necessary to be licensed as a professional engineer. See: http://www.nspe.org.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
There are several ways to get an American Green Card. These are a few that I am aware of:
1. Come in as an illegal and wait for the next amnesty. This may not be a serious option for an engineering professional who wants to work for a respectable company.
2. Be the parent of, or marry, an American Citizen. That automatically puts you at the head of the queue.
3. Be very rich and offer to start a company in the US and bring in a bunch of money - I forget the exact amount - it has probably gone up. (I think Rupert Murdoch did this)
4. Be an oustanding individual (Albert Einstein did this - I think they referred to him at the time as a "savant and genius", who therefore deserved immediate special consideration). I think Winston Churchill also got honorary citizenship without even having to get a green card first - but I think there have only been six of these.
5. Go on a long waiting list and wait for maybe 15 - 20 years for your number to come up.
6. Come in as a person with "unique or unusual qualifications" - or something like that (I think that is "category 3" - or it used to be). For ordinary engineers, this one is probably the only practical option. In practice, it probably means getting a job offer from a US company, and they have to be prepared to wait for you to get all the paperwork sorted out, which can take a year or more. You can also bypass some of this by getting a temporary work visa, and then try and convert it to a permanent green card after you start the job, but doing this with for-knowledge that you are going to try and reside permanently in the US disqualifies you, so you would have to lie when answering that question when questioned about this on the application form. The company that you join has to advertise your job, and ensure that no other qualified US citizens are available to do it. You often come across these advertisements - they are very specifically worded so that hardly anyone could fit the requirements exactly other than the person they are hiring. I have even applied unknowingly for one or two myself in later years. I remember that the guy in personnel who had to go through all this stuff at the company I joined showed me a pile of forms and paperwork about three inches high, just for my application. He said he would never do it again if he could avoid it. Some companies are large enough to be able to pull strings with Senators if the person is important enough to them, and no doubt kick-backs and/or quid pro quos are often involved.
The first time I applied to the US embassy in Grosvenor Square in London, I received a rather disconcerting form letter, which I still possess. It was in the early 1970's, during the Vietnam era. It said that I could by all means attempt to emigrate to the USA, but that there was an extremely long waiting list, and that even if I was successful I would be eligible for the draft and would probably be sent to Vietnam. It said that I could of course refuse, but that if I did I would be deported and would never under any circumstances ever be allowed to enter the country again, even as a visitor. Times have changed somehat since then, haven't they? I expect that they are still sending out rather discouraging form letters, because they get so many applications. But in addition, many European governments are quite happy to see the route to the USA made as difficult as possible, since they do not want to lose qualified professionals.
That number 1 option is looking better and better, isn't it?
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
Yes it is possible.
The Visa/Greencard issue is one factor.
Also security clearance comes into play for things like Aerospace/Defense jobs. Not being a US citizen unless you are a leading world expert or something you probably won't be able to get any kind of clearance.
Finally assuming you have a degree it may or may not count over here depending on the situation. Certainly in CA it doesn't count toward getting EIT or PE status as I understand it.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
rmw
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
As I recall you also don't need a work visa/permit to get a social. However your social card will say something like not valid for work.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
From a practical point of view I think you probably are right, just adding a couple of things I learnt along the way....
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
It is best for you to go home to you home country.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
Interesting that autodave thinks a qualified engineer with some get-up-and-go is regarded as a net drain on the US economy!
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA
You are right about letting in qualified immigrants, I even think that those would help the US compete against low wages countries.
RE: is it possible as an engineer from europe to geta job in the USA