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Originally Posted by KL01toKA03 My wife has been selected in the H1B lottery. Now, assuming that she gets the visa, we have a major decision to make and would appreciate suggestions from people who have faced similar situations. Here is some background on our realities: |
Let me try to answer some of the doubts here. I stay in California since 2014 and hence think might be able to help you here. First things first, Texas is a booming place and Plano is a nice city to live and raise a family. Most of us would like to move to Texas as there is no Federal tax. You can a lot from your paycheck. Having said that $85K is not a good amount for family of 4. Let me explain.
- Housing pricing have soared in Texas as thousands of people moved from costlier states like CA. Majority of these people enjoying same salary as they used to get in CA and due to less TAX in TX they have more disposable money now. This had raised prices in TX. Another reason being the opening of Giga factory by Tesla. In 2021 employers like Apple, HP,Oracle encouraged employees to move to TX. One reason is political as well as TX is red state.
- In your day to day living expense , rent is only a part. Normally for Indians , we try to find housing where fellow Indians stay and where we have good schools. These places have higher rent. Moreover since you've 2 kids , I assume they do extracurricular activities. School is free but the charges for extra curricular activities like swimming, summer camp, martial arts, math tuition really adds up.
- Visa issues- You'll be in H4 Visa. You need to file for EAD (employee authorization document) to start working. Processing for EAD through I765 itself takes 6-7 months. That's one part of agony. As and when your dependent Visa expires, you'll have to extend it.
At present the processing of H4 visa takes hell lot of time. Say your wife has H1 visa from 2022-2025. Next time wife's employers extend Visa for another 3 yrs. Parallelly they will extend dependents H4 VISA(yours) through Form I539. In 2025 when the extension processing starts , wife's employers can extend her H1B though premium processing which takes 2-3 working weeks. Unfortunately there is no premium processing for H4 VISA. On an average it takes 6-8 months . For you you'll have to extend your H4 VISA as well as EAD . You can only extend EAD once you've valid H4 VISA with expiry dates in future. As long as H4 Visa is in extension process, you're EAD stays EXPIRED. You wont be able to work.
Good news is. USCIS have announced premium processing for EAD. But the dates have not been finalized yet.
Green card process is another pain in the butt. You'll have to wait for eternity to get for Green Card unless it's filed in EB1 category. Without Green Card , every time you travel to India, the first job is to get VISA stamp on passport.
Now let me try to answer your biggest fears:
What are my biggest fears:
1. Will I be able to find a job in Technical Writing? I do not know anyone from India who is a technical writer in USA. Is it realistic to get a job in a software company while on an H-4 visa?
You may find a job. I'm an optimistic person and never take no for an answer (except when I'm speaking to my wife). But to keep the job you need VISA and EAD at all times. As I mentioned above most of the time you'll find you're EAD is out of status. Continuity of job in dependent VISA is an immense challenge. You'll be in and out of job.
2. How difficult is it to find a job as a dependent of an H1B visa holder? Is there any bias against such people since there is a chance that they might lose their authorization to work if the H1B visa expires.
Please remember employers pick H4 VISA holders as last resort. Reason being they know uncertainty of VISA situation. Nobody ants to hire person who is at work for 2 yrs, then stays out of status for 8 months and resumes job after EAD/VISA issues get sorted. there is huge risk involved and employers try to take advantage of this. They'll pay you peanuts saying that they're absorbing the risk on behalf of you.
3. Is it possible to extend the H1B visa indefinitely (providing the current policies do not change)? It does not make much sense for me to leave a stable and well-paying job and come back without a job after a few months.
H1B VISA only gets extended when employers file Green Card through Form I140. There are 3 categories to file GC-EB1/EB2/EB3. Under EB1 you get GC in 1 yr. Under EB2/EB3 it's a horror story. Average wait time is 10-12 years. There are lot of stories in internet. As you wait to get GC, you need to have valid document to continue to work in US. That's called H1 extension. When you've approved form I140, your employer can request extension of H1 Visa for another 3 yrs. This process continues till you get GC and no longer need H1B VISA.
There is no guarantee that every extension will be approved. USCIS may issue RFE (Request for evidence) and employers need to provide additional documents. If USCIS is not satisfied they may reject and you're family needs to come back.
In Short: In my opinion US is a nice place to move in but it depends where you're coming from. I came because of monetary issue , I did not have any savings in India and thought moving to US will make me financially stable. I was aware of CA tax, soaring rent price, Visa issues etc...
You sir, have stable income and 2 house(one which is paid off). You need at least $100K-$110K to live comfortable. I know it's possible with 2 income. But I'm not sure about your job prospect.
Few tips: Try to gauge job opportunities in and around Plano area. I assume you can work from home as technical writer. Try to engage with local desi consultancies. They can take care of a lot of paperwork but will not give good salary.
Fingers crossed on premium processing for EAD. That would solve lot of issues.
Unless you're not sure of your job status, situation will be tight. Try to see rent price near Plano for 2 bedroom and you'll have an idea. You need car, insurance, medical, dental, visual and all odd expenses. Factor in expense to travel back home every 2-3 yrs in summer. Ticket price alone will be $4000-$6000.
Please look for opportunities in your field of work and then you can move with double income. You've lot going for you in India.
All the best.