H1B Visa season is coming up in couple of months. Time for the companies to prepare the applications to file H-1B Visa. But, everyone in the world is certainly feeling the pain of U.S. Economy recession. More than 500,000 employees were laid off in Jan 2009 alone. One of Senator has requested Microsoft to lay off H1 B workers before American workers.
More than 1 Million jobs were lost in last few months. Finding a job right now is very difficult. If you follow comments to some of the articles here, many applied for H1 last year, got selected in lottery, but employer haven’t send the approval papers for visa stamping. There are not many job openings available right now and for available openings, more than 1000 people apply for single position. Lots of employees are in bench, trying hard to find any contract position. But, not many positions are open in the job market.
Expected Number of H1B Expected for 2009 ( FY 2010)
Its really hard to predict number of petition USCIS will receive this year, but I feel, it will be 20 to 30% lower than last year. There is certainly fear to apply for H1 from outside US and its very hard to come to US if your consulting firm cannot find jobs for you.
One of my friend said, he would prefer to stay in India and get a better job then applying for H1 and living with uncertainty of not find a job after coming to U.S.
Economy will rebound in 1-2 years. People who got laid off will find new jobs when economy starts to improve. But, how long does it take to find a job when more than applications are applying for a single position? I will let you decide on that time frame. Here’s link to Frequently Asked questions about H1b Visa 2009 lottery process.
Students Extending Graduation Date
Current students in U.S. in F1 visa will also try to delay the graduation and when economy will pickup they will also be in the job market. Overall, things are not good. If you happen to read CNN, you will come across stories like VP who was making $150,000 per year is now working for $10 per hour in retail stores and so many other similar stories. this year is going to be very tough. But, H1B Cap 2009 set to increase?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
I completed my Masters’ in Dec’07. I went through a consultant who applied for my H1b in Apr’08 and got it approved. I quit the consultant job in Oct’08 and came back to INDIA in Dec’ 08 due to the recession after I lost my consultant job.
I do not know if my H1B was revoked or not. However, what is that I need to do in order to ensure that my earlier H1B is revoked?
I am right now working for a good company from the last 8 months in my home country and my experience and job profile matches many requirements in the current US job market. However, I do not want to go through the consultant mess of H1B again.
How do I approach any employer in the US for a job and if do get selected for a job, what are the steps that I need to take to ensure that I do get my H1B or any other valid work visa stamped?
Thanks,
Kumar
People,
I got my H1B approved last year 2008, my employer sent me my approval notice in Feb 2009 after i pushed them to send my papers. But i haven’t applied for a visa yet because i am worried about the job situation in US.
Is there any body who is moving to US this year in 2009? please share your thoughts.
Regards
Faisal Khan
hello faisal,,
iam planning for H1b visa, well i complted my engg in 2004 and i got 4 years exp in IT,,could pls give some information to appply H1b visa,,its will be helpful to me
PimPin’ AinT EZ.. But AinT No ThinG BuT a ChicKen Wing… Good LucK H1b-ers
Hello,
Here is my situation and my questions:
Situation and Facts:
I am a international student, my visa is F1 and I’m in a Community College in Iowa finishing my AA degree.
I started this AA Degree in August 2008.
I already have a Bachelor of Administration issued in Brazil, and I’m using some classed that I have done in Brazil to expedite the completion of the AA Degree in USA using WES. http://www.wes.org/
If everything goes well with WES and the credit transfers to College I’ll complete the AA Degree in May 2009.
I have no scholarship, FinalcialAid or Assistantship.
I tried to apply for Work Permit (USCIS Form I-765) using the devaluation of the currency of Brazil caused by the crisis, but the USCIS denied. (Situations beyond my control)
Already received some proposals for employment but with no budget to pay for the H1B process.
My money is finished and must work in any way to sustain me.
Questions:
1 – Is it a good idea to complete the AA Degree in May/09?
2 – If I apply for OPT in the next few weeks can I work from May (when the classes end) until October(When the H1B process is done) not been a student anymore?
3-I received a proposal to work in a Information Technology Company, they do sponsor the H1B, but the financial part will be my responsibility. I heard that the value of the H1B process is around 5 thousand U.S. dollars, this information is correct? What else I need to know about this ?
4 – What are the chances of my OPT be denied because my Major is Bussines and the company that will work is in Information Technology market?
I would be very, very grateful if someone could give me guidance about what I do.
Thanks again…
hi,
right now iam on h4 and iam in a dilema whether to apply for h1 or not?
and i don’t find any good consultant could you please suggest me what to do
Simple!!!….Dont Apply….WHY THE HELL YOU WANT TO APPLY IF YOU DON’T HAVE A JOB….
Even I am not applying for my wife, being not selected last 2 times in lottery.. If you already on H4, it will be tough to manage the visa status without having a job. As market is gloomy it’s better to wait for 1 more year..