Hello friends,

I am on H1b visa and I recently lost my job. I have 2 more years in my H1b and I already have an MBA degree and my field is not IT. I have been looking everywhere and applying in different places for jobs but nobody wants to take H1b transfers right now. What are my options? I want to go to school to get a Phd but those programs do not start until the Fall semester. I wouldnt mind joining a Masters program in a different field but based on what I have found out, the change in status takes at least 6 months and I do not have that much time since I have remain employed as part of the H1b visa. What are my options in order to at least prolong my stay here until at least the Fall semester 2019 at which point I will join a phd program. I was told by a couple of school advisors that the best option is to go back and get a brand new F1 stamping. My issue with that is since I already have an MBA, the embassy in Kathmandu might not grant me a visa because of the fact that I already have a masters degree. What are my options guys? Suggestion. Also, would be advisable to join any of these Desi IT consulting companies and try to get my H1b transferred that way? Help!!!

IT field does not mean that you will be doing coding all the time. There are lot of positions in IT which doesn't require programming and since you already have MBA background those might fit such has Business Analyst, Program manager, product manager, Analyst etc. Where are you currently located? Try west coast, like Seattle, Portland & SFO. They have plenty of jobs for MBA grads in technical field.

Bro ekchoti yeso hamro Nepali consultancy sanga bujhera yeso H1B transfer garna milcha sodhnu. Huna ta chor nai hunchan sabai. Tara pani they are in this crappy business and they love money. So they might be able to help you.

Thanks Sajha mitra. Thats true I was actually thinking the same thing i.e. maybe venturing into a BA type of position. But these Desi consulting firms that I have talked to they mention that H1b transfer might be difficult and they are hesitant to do the transfer. I am located in Texas but I wouldnt mind moving at all to the west coast if necessary. Do you have any consultancies in mind that you have had prior experience with or have heard about? Let me know please.

Guitarcenter sathi, Thanks to you too. I will go ahead and try nepalese ones as well. Any ones in particular that comes to mind which you know are better than others?

Thanks guys. Lets keep this thread going.

Guru, as you have already done the research, these days H1B transfer is a hassle for companies and even consultancies are hesitant coz of high chances of rejection. Talking about consultancies as you are in TX big name Vastika is one. S3S or something by that name is other I know of. Ani heard of Mr Swami D ko consultancy as well. FYI all of them are somehow blood suckers one way or another. But who cares if they get you out of trouble and help you maintain status which is needed these days. I dont know any of those consultancies personally, but as they are Nepali , just thought that it will be better communication than dealing with Indian Consultancies when you need answers in short period of time

Hi everyone,

Anyone know of good IT consultants that will help me transfer my H1b and provide me with BA placements? I have an MBA and good amount accounting experience but no IT experience.

Thank you all

it’s hard bro. Not easy as u think. Try joining PhD asap.

Bro H1B transfer these days are too tough and most consultancies are not even willing to do it. The job market also will be in downward spiral since it is already pretty much end of the calendar year. I too am in H1B currently working for a IT consultancy and always fear the same. I have decided that i am going to apply for Canada Express Entry and at least have a backup.

So just a suggestion, since you have an MBA degree, go ahead and apply for Canada Express Entry Program, one of my friend got his Canada PR just 9 months after applying. (he had a MBA from USA too).

Note: *If Republicans win this upcoming November elections no reason to stay in US of A. Just too much stress.

guru911 back when I had a 4 month gap to fill, I joined Kaplan to maintain F1. May be look into that as well.

Bro Guru!

It is sad to be in these situations. I believe you have 60 days of grace period to still be in h-1b from your last pay cheque date.

But apart from joining consultancy and hassle to get admitted in any consultancy, you should have also an option of studying master in the different field in the meantime just to be in status. I know there are a couple of schools where you can enroll in Master program in the middle. There are some schools in the east coast where they have the quarter system instead of Semester. You don't have to wait until Jan to join. You can enroll in their fall quarter second half. In the meantime, you will be f-1 status and studying master program. You can still apply for Ph.D. in your desired school or some other school. And as you get accepted you can just leave the master program or get your sevis transfer for PHD.

Let me know how these thought sounds to you.

Feel free to share the knowledge.

Guys thanks for these great suggestions. Question: Can i still attend school in the US while my change of status is ongoing from H1b to F1? I talked to one of the advisors from a university and she told me that since change of status can take anywhere from 6-9 months these days, my option would only be to go back to Nepal and get a brand new F1 stamping? Am I allowed to attend school while the COS is going on?
What are the chances of getting a Canadian PR with my background. I have 4 years of US work experience, MBA, aged less than 31 and my IELTS score for all sections range from 8 and above. Is the Canadian PR thing a lottery as well or will I have a good chance of getting invited to apply for PR based on my qualifications?
Any other options to stay in the US of A in the meantime?

Thanks guys

Guru.. IELTS is the main thing for Canada PR. Your score has to be less than 2 yrs old. If its 8 in all sections then jyammai milcha. And it's not a lottery. Just get experience letter while you can. Check requirements in website

@guru911 bro with your credentials you will easily get the Canadian PR in about 9 mnths to 12 mnths after you apply. My friend who had 1 year of administrative work experience with US MBA got his in just 9 months and got job in Canada after 4 months. (which i think isn't too bad). But again finding job in Canada is lot difficult as per people. But at least one can look for job with less stress and it will be about time you will land a job which might even be an entry level position. If you have some money saved, and are willing to start with a entry level job (worst case), you should definitely go for Canada. USA without greencard feels like living in chains. And add to that these days consultancies aren't willing to sponsor GC easily.

H1b transfer are very much scrutinized these days. Especially if u are a consultant. And even more, if your degree does not match your job. I don't think it has been this bad ever. And trust me, I have seen a lot. Atleast, 5 of the consultants from my work, all from cognizant (cts) got there h1b rejected and cts immediately asked them to leave the country. And these were direct vendors. I think almost all had EE degree and they tons of years of experience. Matter of fact, cts has started processing Canadian work visa for those who would soon need extensions.
I wanna be brutally honest, your chance via consultancy is pretty much slim pickings. But do try. All the best. Also , look for others options like Canada or Australia. I was doing that last year when I was waiting for my GC. I had take IELTS and everything.

But you have US degree so you might be ok. Maybe they are going after offshore to onshore people without US degree? coz non of them were US graduates. So there is hope. thanks