Hello everyone,
I am a surveyor with a college degree in Land Surveying and Geomatics from outside the United States, and two years of work experience and I also have a good grasp of GIS and am interested in working for a land surveyor company in the United States, but I am curious about the process of obtaining an H1B visa.
Can anyone provide me with information on the requirements and eligibility for an H1B visa for a surveyor with my qualifications and experience? Are there any specific companies or employers that typically sponsor H1B visas for surveyors with GIS experience and a degree in Land Surveying and Geomatics? And what is the general timeline and process for obtaining an H1B visa?
Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help.
The first issue you would have with a visa would be finding somebody to sponsor you to even get the visa. The second issue that you could face is your foreign degree not being accepted in America and if you do not speak fluent English, that's a third issue.
Other than coming to America to work, what are your goals if you get here and secure a position?
The H-1B process favors advanced degrees, but it depends on the area of interest. Generally, a bachelor's is required. I did see a note that if your specialty requires a state license, you normally have to have that license before the H-1B petition is submitted.
From what I've heard (colleagues have been on H-1B visas), it's pretty involved and it's helpful to have a specialist/attorney to handle the process so larger companies are more likely to sponsor. Academic institutions can apply year round (I think) and aren't restricted by the cap limit that affects companies. Companies have to submit petitions in the spring immediately when the process opens in March and then a lottery is held. If the petition is approved, I *think* you can start working in October.
H1B may not be the ticket..
"The nonimmigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico, as NAFTA professionals, to work in the United States in prearranged business activities for U.S. or foreign employers. Permanent residents of Canada and Mexico are not able to apply for TN visas to work as NAFTA professionals."
There is a list of NAFTA Professionals (including):
--Land Surveyor--Baccalaureate or Licenciatura Degree or state/provincial/federal license.
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/tn-nafta-professionals
"If you are a Canadian citizen, then you are not required to apply for a TN visa at a U.S. consulate.
You may establish eligibility for TN classification at the time you seek admission to the United States by presenting required documentation to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at certain CBP-designated U.S. ports of entry or at a designated pre-clearance/pre-flight inspection station. You must provide the following documentation to the CBP officer:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship;
- Letter from your prospective employer detailing items such as the professional capacity in which you will work in the United States, the purpose of your employment, your length of stay, and your educational qualifications; and
- Credentials evaluation (if applicable), together with any applicable fees."
