H1b transfer at investment bank

Right now I'm a junior trader at a highly reputable prop shop. I'm currently on TN status as I am a Canadian citizen. I was selected for H1b this year and awaiting approval in the summer. After H1b approval, if I decide to uproot and leave for an investment bank in sales, sales trading, or trading, how likely are banks to sponsor a H1b transfer? It's obviously more expensive than applying for a TN status, but H1b would be hugely beneficial to me in the long term. I would be an entry level Associate-level hire for banks.

I fear most banks would ask that I apply for TN status again instead of sponsoring me for H1b transfer, since an H1b isn't technically necessary for me given trading jobs generally fall under Economist occupation under TN.

Through this forum, I am looking to learn more about my chances of negotiating with a bank to sponsor me for H1b transfer + start on the green card process.

Anyone familiar with the matter please comment.

8 Comments
 

Best you talk to an immigration lawyer -- did you not deal with one at your current firm, or does your prospective one have one on retainer? I just made a lateral move to the U.S. and my new firm handled it all for me; all I had to do was sign one piece of paper.

That said, my first impression would be that as long as there is room in the H1B quota, it shouldn't be a problem. The quota is full for FY 2010, however, and will only open up again in April.

 

Yes, you can do that. Uner USIC's rules, transferring from one employer to another one is called a "change of employer." The new H-1B petition requires almost as much paperwork and effort as the first H-1B petition you filed for your first job.

If you apply to transfer your H-1B visa, you may go on the new employer's payroll, under "H-1B portability" as soon as INS receives the H-1B petition submitted by the new employer.

You should not be concerned about "the room in the H1-B quota" because you will not be applying for a new visa. You will just petition to transfer your existence visa to another employer.

If you went to school as on a F-1 visa, you might understand the concept of transferring "visa" from one host to another. When a student decide to change school, they can stay in the U.S with or without an expired visa. All they have to do, is to transfer their I-20 from one school to another. They don't have to worry about "quota" or getting a new visa because as long as they are enrolled in the new school in the U.S or travel to an adjacent island for less than 90 days, they can simply petition to transfer their paper work form one employer to another one.

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how bad is the paperwork? Meaning do you need an immigration lawyer to handle it. I am considering moving from a BB (where an immigration lawyer did all the work) to a much smaller place.

 
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