A job search can be a long and grueling process. This
process can be made even more challenging when a job seeker is looking for employment
but lacks permanent US work authorization. If you find yourself in this
situation, please account for the extra time your job search might take. On
average we see job searches take 6-9 months; however, it will likely be longer
for international candidates.
It is vitally important to educate yourself on the specifics of your visa
status and requirements as they can vary widely. Some international candidates
employ the help of immigration attorneys to help them navigate this process. If
you are a trainee at the NIH, you can also consult with the Division of International
Services.
Not all employers can afford to sponsor and hire international applicants. A
good indicator if an employer will be able to sponsor you is to see how many
people they have sponsored in the past. There are a number of websites that
link to the Department of Labor’s annual list of employers who sponsored visas
last year. Operating under the assumption that employers who sponsored visas in
the past will likely be able to do so again.
One website that can be helpful and is free to use is: MyVisaJobs.com.
This site provides the ability to sort the government’s H1-B report by career
path/industry, occupation, city, state, job title, etc. Scientists might be
interested in in the Scientific Research and Support database - https://www.myvisajobs.com/Scientific-Research-and-Development-Services-5417-2021IN.htm
Utilizing resources like this don’t guarantee that an employer will be able to sponsor you; however, it can help you to identify organizations that will be more likely to do so.
