UK Undergrad -> US MBA -> IB in USA?
I want to switch careers and go into IB but I think my plans might be screwed.
I’m British and live in London.
My plan is to do an MBA at a T15 and then work as an associate in an IB in New York. I’ve since learned that the visa process makes this extremely difficult/impossible.
The other option I have is to an MBA at LBS and try to get an associate role in London but apparently that market is dead and this move is almost impossible.
Is the IB dream dead on arrival?
Almost a quarter of LBS MBA grads went to MBB in 2020 so that’s looking like a possible backup.
A US MBA could land you in IB in the US, but moving to the US through employment could also be a possibility. You will have a hard time securing a visa without any local education from abroad.
1) You are young, so one way is to go for a grad course in the US, get the degree, get OPT, then H1b, then the green card (in theory, it is more complicated than that. This route may take 10+ years to be LPR/citizen).
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3) Date/marry a USC - K visa is one approach. If the relationship is bona fide, it would allow you to live and work in the US eventually. This is most likely the fastest way into the country and also one the least complicated. Also, embassies have been working on this visa type again since the sponsor would be a US citizen, it is a visa with a higher priority. This route might take 18-24 months and may need additional time due to the covid backlog.
4) Make an investment and get the E1/E2 visa (non-immigrant). Or a larger investment for the investor green card. You are not allowed to work for another company on this.
5) Work for a UK firm that is willing to transfer you on L or H1b after the minimum wait period. Most likely the second easiest after the marriage route.
6) Some UK firms have programs (can be professional programs, apprenticeship schemes, intern or FLDP, etc) that involve time in the USA. This is unique to a certain employment market, a certain industry or certain states you live in even. This is a much easier route into another country, if you look for these. This, however, will not work for the industry you want in.
7) Consider alternatives - depending on which North American qualities you like in your life, Canada might be an option. Very accessible, safe, organized country that is easier to migrate to. Since you are already a grad and very young, you might be able to go through the EE route much easier than other people. Europeans frequently get the ITA from Canada in order to "level the playing field" of immigrants (there is a lack of applicants from some countries towards Canada). bonus points if you speak French.
I don't think there are many other realistic options, although as a UK passport holder there are many visas available if you either invest in your education, invest money, or get sponsored somehow. I hate to state the obvious, but many of the routes into the US are very difficult, time consuming, expensive or simply impossible to achieve.
So if do the US MBA, will I be at a disadvantage in terms of getting an IB offer vs US citizens? Do the banks sponsor visas for an Associate role?
There a ton of threads on WSO regarding this, feel free to use the search function further up.
Very generally speaking, you can land a job after getting a degree in the US on F1. You would need OPT, then H1b and then the green card if the employer sponsors it.
H1x is for 2x 3 years max, OPT for 12 months (or if STEM you can extend it).
I am not sure what seniority a bank needs for the H1b.
F1/SEVIS -> CPT/OPT -> H1b -> potentially green card and permanent residence
Hey! Can you elaborate on your source that told you it is impossible to get an IB job given the VISA situation? Who told you that and what exactly did he tell you?
I think he meant to say, recruiting in the US is difficult or impossible from abroad without a local education and OPT or H1b.
And, frankly, while you can apply for roles in the US - I don't think any company will hire someone who doesn't have the right to live and work in the US. If the candidate is really excellent, they might hire them in Toronto or London and transfer back on L1 or E.
Got ya.
I might be biased because I found an IB job in the US after finishing an MBA school while being an international student, but I think that the situation for MBA students with foreign passports got better.
Most of the top15 MBAs offer STEM degrees that provide the right to work for 3 years.
Furthermore, it is true that if we have two identical candidates, a USC will do better just because it is easier to integrate him/her in the job. However, i do want to say that in my year 50% of the IB jobs went to internationals while some USCs didn't get the jobs.
Another advantage of doing an MBA in the US compared to the UK is the recruiting options. A US MBA student can recruit for both NY and London (there is a trek of all the US schools to London happening during thanksgiving). A UK MBA student can't possibly recruit for NY. If you are British or European, you would have the same success as someone studying in London with limited networking.
Overall, I believe that as a British, it would be good for you to explore other cultures and put yourself out there and risk it.
It's your decision though OP. Good luck with what you decide.
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