Hey folks, today I will shed some light on how to work in the US as a Software developer.
Software developers are some of the highly demanded tech specialists in the world today. According to Forbes Magazine, the demand for this profession is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade.
A software developer is a profession that has no borders since programming languages are the same all over the world. That’s why getting a job as a software developer in another country is easier than for, let’s say, a doctor.
For people who would like to live and work in the United States becoming a software developer is a great way to achieve their dreams. However, only specialists with exceptional skills are likely to be hired by a USA company.
So how do you become the best candidate for a job opening in the USA?
Learn About H1B Visa
The H1B visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows you to work and live in the United States for up to 6 years. It allows you to take your family to the United States and have them live and study there.
The annual cap for H1B visa is 65,000. It’s a rather small figure compared to the number of people desiring to get a job in the United States. In 2017, the biggest number of approved visas was received by the citizens of India. They are followed by China, Canada, South Korea, and the Philippines.
In order to get an H1B visa, you have to get an offer from an American company. The future employer files for a visa, the cost of which ranges from $1,500 to $3,000, depending on the situation and the processing speed.
Improve The Chances Of Getting A Job In The USA As A Software Developer
Since only 65,000 people will get the highly desired visa next year, you have to work hard to improve your chances.
1. Build Your Portfolio
All USA employers are more likely to hire USA-based specialists than deal with all the hassle of finding one abroad. So before you send out your application to the American companies, make sure you are one of the best candidates.
It may not be a good idea to apply this year if you aren’t 100% sure of your exceptional skills and resume. An extra year of hard work and studying can increase your chances.
2. Talk To Someone With Experience
It’s easy to find a person who has applied for work as a software developer in the USA and succeeded. Learn from his or her experience in order to increase your chances of being accepted.
3. Consult A Lawyer
When it comes to working in the United States, numerous nuances exist. You may want to talk to a lawyer to make sure all your documentation is in order. If you are rejected for a visa due to legal issues, you may have a harder time applying next year or at all.
Increase Your Chances Of Getting An H1B Visa
Once you are accepted by the employer, you can increase the chances of getting the desired visa by:
1. Being Fast
Make sure not to miss the April deadline for H1B visa application. Before applying for a job, get all your documents for a visa ready. This way you and your potential employer won’t waste any time.
2. Asking About The Fee
An employer should be paying the visa fee for you. If you pay it yourself, you may face some questions from USCIS. This can cost you an approval.
3. Pick A Respectable Employer
Only respectable employers with all their legal issues in check can file for a visa to get an employee come from abroad. You don’t want to get rejected just because the employer fails to meet the requirements.
Conclusion
Getting a job in the United States as a software developer is tough but possible. It’ highly important to research the process extensively in order not to make unfortunate mistakes along the way.
Simon Frey is a software and web applications developer with experience in PHP, Laravel, MySQL, .NET. He has been developing software for the past 11 years and enjoys working on new projects. Simon is available for hire and can be contacted through his website: www.simon-frey.eu