Time to come back ?

[Rohan Sathye]

Hi Guys,

This is my first post on this site although I am regular visitor of this site for past couple of years. I would like to have your thoughts/ advice on my situation.

I have a solid 8+ years of industry experince in s/w design and development. Out of which 4 years on C, C++ and last 4+ years on Java and J2EE. I am SCJP and SCEA also have couple of other certs from IBM related to java tech. I was working (Contracting through H1B agency) in US for 3+ years from 1999 - 2002 and then was working in UK for a year. For last one year or so I am back in India working in a decent company earning a decent salary and I have recently bought a house and became a dad 6 months back.

In Jan. 2004 one consulting company from US contacted me and offered me a Job . They also sponsered my H1 visa which I got stamped in May. But I didn't go to US after that because I was about to become a dad and I didn't want to miss my child's birth :-).. and after that my existing Indian company sent me to UK for 3 months.. obviously my H1B sponserer was not happy as he wanted me there ASAP as he was pretty confident of finding a consulting assignment there. In the mean time while I was in UK my old employer from US (Another consulting company from US) contacted me and offered me a job and they also filed my H1B in this years quota. I will be getting that visa in next couple of months. So obviously that company also want me there immediatly after I get my visa. So far so good... but I am really not convinced that its the right time to come back to US. I definitly love to live and work in US. Its a land of dreams.. but for last couple of years I have seen it turn land of nightmares if you are a IT developer and more so if you are on H1B. I am not desperate to come to us.. I have a decent income in india with a lovely family. But definitly I would love to be in US if finding a decent Java/ J2EE job contracting position on H1B is not going to be a hassel. Both my H1B sponseres are quite confident about finding a longterm contract and almost all of my friends who are on H1B have more or less stable contract.. some even were converted to fulltime recently. And I was never on bench in US.. I got all my contracts quite easily but that was 3-4 years back.. and now I have a family to support.
So what I am trying to ask is How advisible it is to come to US some time in Jan-Feb 05 on H1B.

Would appreciate your responses.

Cheers

Rohan.

[Kj Reddy]

Hi,

When you are not desperate to go back to US why dont you give chance for people who are desperate to travel to US. You said you already have H1 and again you are going for H1. Dont you think it will close some one else dream of going to US. Think about it

Regards
Jagdish

[Jay Shin]

I definitly love to live and work in US. Its a land of dreams.

I thought India was the land of dreams for IT workers. Isn't there better opportunities in India than the U.S?

Both my H1B sponseres are quite confident about finding a longterm contract. And I was never on bench in US

No one can be 100% confident. If you ever be put on bench, you become an illegal alien.

[Bhushan Damle]

I am not of the height you are in this industry but I am fresher struggling for a good job. According to me, if you are achieving all that u will be in US, please think on it as you are already an H1 holder.
Also, you have a nice family here in priety India.

[Rohan Sathye]

quote

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Hi,

When you are not desperate to go back to US why dont you give chance for people who are desperate to travel to US. You said you already have H1 and again you are going for H1. Dont you think it will close some one else dream of going to US. Think about it

Regards
Jagdish
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Jagdish,

I think I have an option to choose best career path for me. So if the second company is offering me a better package I will definatly take it. C'mon its not charity

Jay Shin,

There are more (better .. i don't know . may be some are ... and others aren't) opportunities in India... but its more about the quality of life really. Living in US and earning in $$ lets you enjoy the life better.. ( Atleast I had a very aggreable stint in the US of A.. wouldn't mind to repeat that at all ) And I like the country very much.. and most of the people are easy to get along with.. didn't have any major negative experience.. So if the job market is reasonably up.. ( obiviously not like at the peak of .com era..) then I would like to come back..

And I didn't say 100% confident.. I said reasonably confident.. and I had worked for one of the sponsers earlier.. I think most of the contractors can't be 100% confident about their next contract..


What I am looking for from this forum is a realastic picture of job market for J2EE professional with decent 8 years of experience and who is on H1B visa. Also if you guys can provide me with the prevailing contracting rate information that also would be great. Also your thought/ comments.. and what would you do if you were in my shoes.. :-)

Cheers

Rohan

[Pradeep bhatt]

I thought India was the land of dreams for IT workers. Isn't there better opportunities in India than the U.S?

If someone works in US he will naturally make more money.
[ December 01, 2004: Message edited by: Pradeep Bhat ]

[Kj Reddy]

True every one will have the choice to choose the best option. But when we have two best options and if some one loosing the chance because we are choosing both, we better to give a chance to other person right? Think about it as you can take only one option. Take a wise decsion so that you will get the best and same time others wont loose a chance.

Regards
Jagdish

[Inuka Vincit]

Originally posted by Jagdish Reddy:
True every one will have the choice to choose the best option. But when we have two best options and if some one loosing the chance because we are choosing both, we better to give a chance to other person right? Think about it as you can take only one option. Take a wise decsion so that you will get the best and same time others wont loose a chance.

Regards
Jagdish

In my humble opinon it is better that skilled people like Rohan comeover rather than those who are less experianced. We all know about the consulting mess here, and the bad rep H1Bs have. Honestly after seeing the quality of the average H1B worker, I am all for inteligent experianced H1Bs to come over. The people who take oppertunities away from H1B workers are the people who abuse the system(in conjuction with certain corrupt consutling companies) and take away oppertunities from skilled workers.

Rohan you do realise the lack of H1B visas right? Since you were out of the country I think you cant use the AC21 regulations for H1B exceptions either(I think). So thats the main issues unless you have an MS from a US university in which case.

Secondly the pay rate has fallen, most companies attempt to pay you the the bare minimum they can. You might be actually be better off in India. Have you explored oppertunities in other countries. The current US job marekt is not that good although it seems to be steadily improving. If you realy want to come over here try waiting a bit(you will have to wait for the quota to open anyways, unless you do go the L route).

[soniya saxena]

job market is better than earlier. u can expect to be placed in a reasonable amount of time. but i wud suggest u come alone and settle urself b4 bringing in family.

[Rajan Chinna]

May i know how long it will take for a guy to settle down before he bring down his family? incase he has to find a job after landing there. Thanks.

[soniya saxena]

well, that depends on his technical skills and his contracting company's placement capabilities. cud widely vary from person to person. somebody could get placed as quickly as 1 week. as to being "settled", that would depend on that individual's definition of "settled".

[Kj Reddy]

Originally posted by Inuka Vincit:
In my humble opinon it is better that skilled people like Rohan comeover rather than those who are less experianced. We all know about the consulting mess here, and the bad rep H1Bs have. Honestly after seeing the quality of the average H1B worker, I am all for inteligent experianced H1Bs to come over. The people who take oppertunities away from H1B workers are the people who abuse the system(in conjuction with certain corrupt consutling companies) and take away oppertunities from skilled workers.

True I agree with you. But I see some skilled people loosing chances bec of what ever reason. But it doesnt mean all people who entered or returned from US are very much skilled. I seen quite lot of people who paid money to consultants and came to search job even though they dont have much skills.

[Rohan Sathye]

Originally posted by Rajan Chinna:
May i know how long it will take for a guy to settle down before he bring down his family? incase he has to find a job after landing there. Thanks.

I agree with Soniya.. It depends on the person as well as the consulting company..When I went there for the first time, I got couple of contracting offers within 10 days.. Recently ( 3 months back) one of my friend went there and got offer the next day !! He hadn't recovered from the JetLag but gave the interview anyway and got selected !
About settling... we that also depends.. typically once you are selected as a contractor ( I am talking about H1B contractors) the client has to do the paper work.. like generating a PO .. if your consulting company is talking to the client through some preffered vendor then it may add to the delay...
Once you start working at clients place, you may have to find accomodation if you are relocating.. back in 1999 -2000 finding an accomodation in Bay area was a tough thing.. all most all the apartment complexes in Bay area had a long waiting list .. I guess thats not a problem anymore.. :-)
So I think you can really "settle" within a months time after starting the job...

[Rohan Sathye]

Soniya,

Do companies consider H1B candidates for contracting positions or do they require GC/Citizenship ? Most of my friends on H1b have jobs there right now.. but is it a general picture or exception ?

Cheers

Rohan

[soniya saxena]

GC/citizenship is always the preference, but as the days pass, companies are again becoming more and more open to H1s. I havent heard abt anybody struggling for contracts lately. But yeah, u must be flexible abt the rates. And u must not solely depend on ur contracting company's capabilities to find u contracts. u must start looking out for contracts urself too.

Originally posted by Rohan Sathye:
Soniya,

Do companies consider H1B candidates for contracting positions or do they require GC/Citizenship ? Most of my friends on H1b have jobs there right now.. but is it a general picture or exception ?

Cheers

Rohan

[soniya saxena]

Jagdish, it is very common for people to retain 2-3 options and finally choose one. Thats reality and u have to learn to accept that. The individual might want to choose the best of the 3 options and thats just natural. U cant expect people to think abt others dreams more than themselves.

Originally posted by Jagdish Reddy:
Hi,

When you are not desperate to go back to US why dont you give chance for people who are desperate to travel to US. You said you already have H1 and again you are going for H1. Dont you think it will close some one else dream of going to US. Think about it

Regards
Jagdish

[Rohan Sathye]

Hi Guys

Finally I did come back to US and I am on project in 2 weeks. The market is good provided you have "real" experience, good communication skills and really know what you are talking about.
If anyone is interested in coming to US on H1B then first thing he/ she needs to do is to check for credentials of the company sponsering the visa. Never pay a single penny for getting the visa. Its not legal and you should never incur that expense. Companies (Most of them are consulting companies) make good money on you so they should bear that expense. Make sure that everything is legal. Ask for proper documents from the day you enter the country. (SSN, Pay stubs, W4, W2 etc). If the company is not giving them don't come through that company.

Cheers

[Suresh Thota]

Rohan,

Great that you searched that old thread and updated it.

The insights you provided will definitely be helpful for H1B aspirants.

Cheers

[Rajesh Pore]

Hi Rohan,


I paid for my H1(2006-2007) and the consultant has filed my H1.
some of my friend are working with the same consultant so i paid the amount upfront.All of my friend who are working with him are satisfied till date and they have been working with that company for last 2-3 years .Do i still have risk involved.

Secondly,
I have 5+ years expereince in Java/J2ee ,want to ask about the market condition taking in account that i wll be in US in jan 2007(Subject to condition that my visa is approved).



Regards
Rupal

[Rubens Gomes]

Sounds interesting. I also have an approved/stamped H1B right now (year quota 2005). I worked as a developer in the US from 1995-2000 -- In addition, I attended undergraduate/graduate school at KU (Univ. of Kansas) from 1988-1995. I moved back to Brazil in nov. 2000. And right now, I am working as a software developer in the country. However, I think about moving back to the US. But I am now married and have one 4 year old son (lovely family) who depends on my income. My main concern is job stability. Could you give us some further details on the job market in the US these days? How about typical consulting rates for a senior developer? Which area of the country can project/contract be found one after the other without having to relocate? Also, should I wait a couple of months to be sure the market is stable? And get more Java certifications (now only have SCJP). Please, I would like to hear any other useful information you could provide to someone in similar situation as the one you were in before.

Thank you,

[Rohan Sathye]

Rupal,

Personally I would never ever pay a single dime / penny / paisa to any comapny to process my H1B. Moreover I think its not legal for companies to ask for the processing fee (Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer so you are better off by consulting the lawyer for the legality of this transaction). And as mentioned in my previous post, I would never advise anyone to pay for the visa. As the market improves companies will definetly stop asking candidates to pay for the visa.
But if you have already paid money to your consultant, make sure that you get full value out of it. Is there an agreement between you and your employer which spells out exact terms and conditions for the transaction. e.g. what happens if your visa is rejected ? Do you get your money back or is it lost totally ? Mind you I am not trying to scare you off but I think you need to consider all the possibilities and make sure your risk is minimum. If your friends are staying with the company for 2-3 years then it probably means that the company is decent and treats its employers decently.
All the best.

Ruben,

Actually I had read your post more than a year back about this. I remember it because I was also exactly in same situation. I know exactly what you are thinking. It took me a long time to decide. More than a year actually. In my case I built a safty net for me before I jumped. I interviewed and got better offers in India. I asked for 3 months of joining time. Then resigned from my exiting job and convinced them to release me in 1.5 month. So I had 6 weeks to come here and land a job. I got 4 offers within 2 weeks. 3 of them were for contract to hire. I accepted one of them and am happily working as a consultant :-).
I do not know about the job stability. As it only couple of weeks that I have started working. But most of my friends (on H1B) are now on permanant jobs. Well but the are here for last 6-8 years. And have good contacts. But if you are experienced professional, then finding a consulting job should be reasonably easy. Location.. I got all my offers from California. Rate.. it depends... there is no rule of thumb for this.. in NY you can get expense paid project for 110/hr in Ohio they will offer you 40/hr so it varies.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

[kri shan]

Hi Rohan, What is the appx Bay area(California) hourly rate for Senior Developer position?

[Rubens Gomes]

Rohan, thank you for your response. Based on my profile + resume available on-line at http://www.rubens-gomes.com/ what do you think my chances are of landing a job in the US right now? Should I wait a few more months to get more certifications and experience? In your opinion, how do I compare against other developers in the US job market?

[Rohan Sathye]

Ruben

I can't tell you your chances of landing a job in US because I am not a recruiter. You can talk with your H1b sponserer and find out. If you have good experience and can handle technical interviews ( I observed difference in the interviewing process. Now a days interviews are more technical/ in depth than they were 5-6 years back.) then that is good enough. I don't think companies will give much importance to certifications. It is nice to have but not the deciding factor. Experience and good interviewin skills are most important. If you have 7-8 years of experience then having few more months under your belt won't make a difference. It is really about your comfort level.

All the best.

For rates, as I mentioned in previous post, the range varies. Like in my case I decided I am not interested in anything below 75 and I got that. There are many people who are working for 40. So again it is up to you.

Cheers

Rohan
[ May 11, 2006: Message edited by: Rohan Sathye ]

[ansh ahuja ansh ahuja]

Hi Rohan

Can you please tell me the name of your consultanting company who sposored H1B for you. i cannot find a single company who is not asking for money, even big firms like dibon and yash technologies are asking for 2000 dollars. Pls help.

[Anjali Shah]

Hi,

A friend of mine is being offered a position in Virginia Fairfax USA. He is a .Net pro with 4 yrs of expr. They say they will be paying him 50K per annum + 5K bonus at the end of the year.
Although he doesnt have to pay for the visa but the catch is he will have to keep his passport with them till he files as security and has to sign a 1.5yrs bond with them.

What do you guys think of this deal? Its very urgent so Rohan and other guyz please let me know your opinions!!

Thanks!

[Rajesh Pore]

Hi Anjali ,

There are 2 types of consultant
1) They don't sponser H1b for the candidate(by that i mean candidate has to pay 2500$ upfront for his/her visa).There is no bond with consultant and candidate is not liable to work for that consultant.In this case candidate is free and can always shift to better job if one get.

2)They pay for visa ,but they ask candidate to sign a bond.Now the problem is for 1.5 years candidate will be working for the consultant at whatever salary consultant offer.If the candiate is good enough to fetch better salary also ,he/she is obliged to work for consultant at lower rate.

I personally feel that one should not sign a bond with the consultant.Best will be to find a consultant who pays for h1 with no bond,second best would be to pay for visa and be free bird.

This is totally my personal opinion.
By the way hardly 6000 visas are remaining ,when will your friend apply .If he/she is very serious about going to US ask him/her to take decision soon.I think after one week visa cap will reach.

Regards
Rupal

[Sachin K]

hey guys... I am in Australia... and I just want to say one thing, If you are serious about your career. Stay wherever you are, unless and untill you are offered a good job (check for everything before you say "yes" or "no"). Do not plan and migrate to any other country blindly.

[Rambo Prasad]

Hi Sachin,

Sice yoy are in Australia can you throw me some insight about the job market in Australia...

Are jobs easy to find there..What skills are now hot there???

[Anjali Shah]

Thanks Rupal...
My friend is still undecided about keeping his passport with them hence I thought I will post the dilemma here and see what other people think about it.

Rambo, please do not hijack the thread... why dont you start a new thread about Australia...I do need the info urgently...

Thanks

[Rajesh Pore]

Hi Anjali,

I would suggest your friend 1st of all act fast,hardly no time.

Secondly about the choice of the consultant.
1)Try to find a consultant/company that sponsers H1 and with no bond
2)If not 1) then find(the word is inappropiate as you can find plenty) a consultant that donnot sponsers H1 and pay 2500$(or whatever) and no bond.
3) don't go for 3rd option

Regards
Rupal

[Anjali Shah]

He hasnt got $2500 to pay for his visa!!!

[Kj Reddy]

Originally posted by Anjali Shah:
Although he doesnt have to pay for the visa but the catch is he will have to keep his passport with them till he files as security and has to sign a 1.5yrs bond with them.

Not wise to keep passport with them for whatever the reason.

[Sachin K]

hi rambo prasad...

the market is good here in australia. but it is very difficult to get a job here unless you have 1. experience and 2. permanent residancy.

if you have any sponsor... its cool

good luck mate.

[Rajesh Pore]

Hi Anjali,


He hasnt got $2500 to pay for his visa!
Than he has got no choice than to apply through that consultant only,or he can choose to join some big names in india.They send employees on H1....


Regards
Rupal

[Anjali Shah]

The consultant now says he will pay 45K + 5K bonus at the end of year and medical!!

Is it worthwhile?