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Abstract
Today's IT industry is all about foreign clients. Anyways you are dealing with them now and then, but working in their own land with them is a different experience altogether. This article will help you learn about working in the USA and many other related things.
Note: Please don't write any comments or ask me for any Visa Sponsoring, how much money you can make particularly and what you can do to fly to USA and so on.
How to Enter the USA
There are various ways to enter the USA, but as a “work” professional the following are Visa types that allow you to enter the USA and either live for some time or live for a long term and earn in US.
| Visa Type |
Who Sponsors It |
How Long Can you Stay |
Validity for Years |
Transferable to other employer |
| B1/B2 |
Employer / Self |
6-12 months in one visit |
10 years |
No |
| L1A |
Employer |
7 years |
7 years |
No |
| L1B |
Employer |
5 Years |
5 Years |
No |
| H1B |
Employer or Self as an individual |
6 years |
6 years |
Yes |
A H1B Visa allows you to change your employers once you are in the USA, so if you don't like CompanyA then you can transfer your H1B staus to CompanyB and continue to live and earn in the USA.
L1 Visa holders can't do this since L1 is an intra-company transfer Visa, in other words an India office of CompanyA is sending you to its US office for work.
B1 Visa holders are usually those who travel for Knowledge Transfers (KT), conferences, client meetings and so on.
What skills are required
Well, my core skill have always been Microsoft so I can share those with you, but skills can be easily discovered via some job site portals.
Technical skills: .NET, C#, MVC, SOA, algorithmic/analytical thinking, strong coding, best practices, SQL BI, TFS, debugging and analysis, SQL Server, Architectural Principles.
Soft Skills: Good communication, listening skills, ability to present your ideas on whiteboard, team player, ability to collaborate with others within and outside the team.
Cultural skills: Ability to bear culture shock, ability to communicate with local people and understand their accent and way of living, accept that you are far-far from your homeland, ability to live alone for months with no one to talk with (at least until you make some friends).
Show me the money, honey
This is something everyone might be interested in, but the salary range can vary depending on job profile, experience and skills you have. Salary is also driven by the nature of your company and your Visa type, for example:
- B1/B2 Visa travelers are paid approx. US $40-100 per day + Home Country Salary as is.
- L1 Visa travelers are paid in the range of $55K - 75K per year + no India salary at all.
- H1B Visa holders are paid more than L1 and ranges from $55K - $140K per year or even more + no India salary at all.
Expenses and Deductions from Salary
USA is an expensive country and you pay for everything and it's pretty expensive. Let's see some basic deductions and expenses per month.
| Expense Type |
US$ Per Month |
| House Rent |
$700 - 1500 (Based on 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom and location) |
| Water + Garbage |
$75 - $110 |
| Electricity |
$50 - $115 (bill is on higher side in winters) |
| Phone |
$50 - $120 (higher side is for two lines unlimited calling with in USA) |
| Internet |
$29 - $80 (based on speed you want) |
| Grocery |
$250 - $2000 (based on number of family members and their age (especially if you have kids then you have more expenses) and your life style) |
| Car |
$50 - $500 (depending upon your travel patterns and type of vehicle you own) |
| Deductions from your Salary per month. Amount will be based on your Salary |
| Federal Income Tax |
In general it's Income Tax, In USA you can't show investments and so on. to have some rebate. Like India has limit for 1.5 Lakh. |
| Social Security Tax |
Tax deducted by government to pay people that have retired |
| Health Insurance Premium |
Optional (it is usually offered at a discounted rate by employers) |
| Dental Insurance |
Optional (it is usually offered at a discounted rate by employers) |
| Vison Insurance |
Optional (it is usually offered at a discounted rate by employers) |
| State Tax |
Some states like New Jersey, New York and most others have extra deductions as State Tax |
| 401K |
Optional (Like PF in India) |
In USA medical is very expansive, a doctor's visit can cost anywhere between $100 - 100,000. So it's better to analyze your and your family's health trend and get necessary insurance plans. Health and Dental are a must according to me.
How to apply for a work permit (Visa) for USA
Well, the easiest way is for your current employer to send you on a project. But that is not the case in many scenarios and with some employers. Then you can file your H1B by yourself. H1B is lottery-based and every year in April 65000 H1B Visas are granted to selected professionals.
If you want to apply yourself then find a company (search on job sites, there are many) that can file a H1B for you. They will charge you approx. $5K - $6K to submit your H1B application. Since a H1B is totally lottery-based your application may or many not be picked in the lottery. If your application is not picked then some employer may return some of the money and they may or may not return your money. So consider it to be a gamble.
Job Assurance
Well, even if you have a Visa and have travelled to the USA, often there might not be a job for you and that may last for months. I know some candidates who have been on their own and with no job. Besides, to live in the USA you need medical insurance and so on which is very expensive and other expenses you have for your living, food and so on.
Work Life Balance
The US work culture is officially 40 hours a week, so in your timesheet you fill in 8 hours per day. If you have a decent manager then you have a good life as many of them are. People here have a culture to work from home (not always unless you are a remote worker officially) on instance based scenarios, respect of family and personal needs, kids school meetings and so on.
But all these freedom comes with great responsibility and people are not supposed to abuse that. If you do so then you will be restricted and you may need to take a holiday to fulfill your family or personal commitment.
What if I am not able to go to the USA
Personally, I came to the USA at a very late stage of my career. So work on your skills, client relations and many other things and be happy. Everyone has a different path to follow and destiny chooses people time to time. So don't be disappointed if you are not selected or couldn't get to the USA and so on. Rather think about what you can do to go to the USA.
Save money, make some sacrifices, don't buy expensive mobile phone, don't eat outside and don't buy extra clothes, shoes, accessories and save money to apply your H1B next year.
Also, keep looking at the pattern your company has. Do they have clients in the USA, do people travel to the USA from your company and so on.
What happens when I return from the USA to my home country
Well, in terms of your job and career, this certainly has a boost. I have experienced that personally. Besides that your way to seeing things and applying skills will change a bit.
Besides, many companies prefer candidates that have travelled and lived outside since this allows them to present themselves better to a potential client and showcase skills their team has in general.