Do U.S. companies recognize people with U.S. undergrad and a U.K. master's?

Hi guys,

I had my bachelor's degree at Columbia applied math last year and have worked in an education company in the U.S. since then. Now I'm considering a management master's at LSE but wondering - is it possible that I apply to U.S. jobs from U.K., given that I was previously chosen and on H1B so will be cap-exempt next time a company sponsors me? (interested in consulting but also open to other types of jobs) I'm thinking if that's possible then technically I can apply to jobs in both U.K. and U.S. and that sounds like an advantage over if I choose to do stay in the U.S. for master's?

Appreciate any insights and inputs, thank you!

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If H1b was granted before already, you could indeed qualify as a H1b cap exempt employee when a new employer files for you. But the overall length of the H1b would remain the same, which is six years. Any used up time from those six years will be no longer available to the new term.
Also, a foreign national who has spent a minimum of one year outside of the USA (after being granted a H1b within the last six years), can also apply for a cap exempt H1b. Alternatively you can go for the full six years with the cap instead.

 

Thank you Kodi! That's very helpful. Just to clarify are these two situations both give me chance to be cap-exempt next time a company sponsors me?

a. Quit job now and do master's in the U.K.

b. Quit job now and apply for F1 to study in the U.S.

I assume in both cases my H1b is cancelled/revoked when I quitted job, but In the second case I'll not be outside of the country for one year. (I've only used it for 7 months).

 

If your dream is to live and work in the US permanently, I would not leave the US. Simply because there are hurdles for foreign nationals abroad in order to get back to the US. You'd still need to find a job, the employer has to interview while you are abroad, the immigration rules may adjust, and then the company still has to file for your H1b. 7 months is great, so you have 2 years and 5 months on your first term, and 3 years on your extension left.

You mentioned that you work for an educational company - are you already cap exempt or did you go through the lottery and were granted a spot? I don't know if the rules I mentioned above apply if you work in a cap exempt institution/company.

Going to the UK is also an amazing choice, I have worked and lived in both the US and the UK (and other countries). The Master's should give you the 2 year visa in the UK.

 

Thank you! I went through and was picked from the lottery last year when my current company applied for it and if I leave the country this May and come back in Sep for F1 (i.e., directly apply for F1 instead of change of status), I guess I should be fine for cap-exempt petition next time?

Due to salary difference my ultimate goal is still come back to work in the U.S., so perhaps staying here for master's is a better choice?

 

If your ultimate choice would be to live and work in the US (and I am guessing in finance), then I would personally do the MBA or Masters in the USA. (WSO is the #1 resource for the US college network in finance, of course).

Personally, I made the same money in London compared to NYC, so I wouldn't discount that option based on comp alone. But yes, I preferred life in the US compared to the UK/EU.

Yes, that plan should work but please confirm with an immigration attorney to verify all of this. I am not a lawyer and the internet (specifically reddit) can be wrong. Immigration legislation changes very frequently.

 

The H1b is indeed no longer valid if you quit your employment with the sponsoring company. You have a grace period to leave the country, or can change status (i.e. to F1).

If you stay within the US and change status, you are a foreign national with the opportunity to go back to H1b - and I believe the numerical cap should not be required. But this is where you should speak to a qualified immigration attorney to discuss details.

 

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