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In our new “how can we help you?” thread, a reader writes:
Has anyone who doesn’t have existing working rights in the US had any luck with any jobs? Asking because a few years ago I had multiple first round interviews, but this round had nothing. It might well just because how tight the job market is and/or my profile not fitting the jobs though, so seeking information.
Any readers able to weigh in?
For whatever this is worth, I’m a US citizen with a PhD from a US institution. Over the last two job cycles I’ve had zero interviews at US jobs. I’ve also never gotten an offer for any type of US job, despite the fact that in previous years they make up by far the largest fraction of my job applications. I’ve in contrast had interviews and flyouts in Canada, the UK, and several continental European countries for both temporary and permanent research positions. I don’t have any great explanation for this and can only guess that something about my research profile makes me more appealing outside of the US. Also, the US market was just terrible this year. I can’t say I’m upset about this outcome for myself. I hope the OP manages to find work somewhere civilized!
I am also not from the US and have gotten nothing so far despite having applied to every job in the US for which I am eligible. This is my first time on the market, though, so I have no point of comparison.
From the other side of the hiring bridge: my US department is running searches this year and I think 40% of our finalists are not US citizens.
Does your department care if applicants are currently in the US on a visa? As someone else mentioned, the $100,000 fee only applies for people applying from abroad without a current J1/F1/H1B visa.
As far as I understand it, that fee isn’t going to apply to people covered under NAFTA or from countries the US has separate agreements with (like Australia, Singapore, and Chile).
I think it partly depends on whether the OP is already in the U.S. on a F1/J1/H1B visa. It might be easier for international scholars to land a U.S. job if they are already here b/c they are then not subject to the $100,000 fee tho many unis prob simply don’t offer any sponsorship whatsoever this year.
This is the right answer. Many universities aren’t considering international applicants (currently residing outside the US) at all, because no university can offer sponsorship. Even if you’re an international resident in the US, I doubt any department would want to take the risk of hiring someone who will be at risk of not being able to re-enter the US after a conference or personal travel.
Those on H1B are generally able to reenter though.
Generally, yes. A recent experience with Border Protection at a US airport gave me the impression that there is a real risk of not being able to re-enter, though.
Also, in response to a contributor above, I’m not sure there are special agreements between the US and China or Australia regarding this. Any person applying for H1B from outside the US is affected by the rule, as far I understand.
So, unless OP is already residing in the US or applying for postdocs (which use J1), they should assume that their applications are automatically rejected.
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