2. What should you ask the employer before you decide to join them ?
This post is part of the series : Everything you need to know about How to get a Job & face interviews in US . Once you decide the company to join after looking at all the criteria, you have to ask these questions to your employer before you commit.
Will the company pay for the H1B Visa fee upfront ?
Will the company pay for the H1B Visa fee upfront ?
The Company sometimes, especially these days, do not pay upfront for the visa because of their past experiences where many students have left the company right away even they get H1B. In fact, a person can apply H1B visa at 6 places. So, the company.
Will the company do / pay for premium processing ?
This might not be an issue if you are coming from India or applying as a student being on OPT. But, if you are transferring from another company or if you want to get decision quicker from INS, then you might be interested. It costs you around $1000 more, check if you company pays for it. Some big companies do not have the policy of premium processing.
Will the company give boarding and lodging?
If you are either coming from India on H1B or a student, you need boarding and lodging. Most companies provide this. Some big companies do not do this, It is very important the consulting company provide this and it will help you save money and keep expenses minimum until you find job.
Will the company train you on the technology you are interested ?
If you are a student, you NEED training to succeed. If you are experienced and coming from India, then you might not. But, ideally ask if the company does training on the technology you are interested it. Check if they have enough systems and people to train you.
Will the company pay for Health Insurance ?
If you are working on a salary basis, the company has to pay for health insurance completely. A good insurance costs around $250 to $300 per month. On the other hand, if you are on percentage basis, company does not pay anything. Some of them do give you like $50 or so. Verify if they do good insurance and may be dental and vision too
Will the company give hike after working for 6 months ?
This is very important to clarify at the beginning. Check this for more on negotiation on salary. The company has to give you a hike after 6 months or first project. Be careful, if they say after first project and your project goes for more than 6 months, you have to ask them if they do the hike. Many end up losing money if you do not negotiate upfront. It could be a hike in salary or may be hike in percentage.
Does the company provide you boarding and lodging when you are on Bench ?
If you do not know, bench means – not working. The point is if you are very early in your career and do not have enough contacts or enough money, you need boarding and lodging when you are between projects. Many big companies do not do this anymore with economy and stuff. But some companies do provide boarding and lodging when you are between projects. This will save you money. So, it is a good thing you have to ask for.
Does the company do Green Card? If so when do they start?
If you plan to stay here after 6 years in US, you need Green Card. Check if the company does this. Ask them when do they typically start the process. The sooner the better for you. Ideally 6 months to 1 year they do the process.
Do they pay for Green Card process ?
Check if the company pay for your green card processing. If you are on salary they do. If you are on percentage you probably have to. Clarify this ahead of time.
How often does the company Pay ? Do they hold money ?
Check if they pay every 15 days or 30 days or do they pay after the client pays them. If they say, they will pay after client pays them. It is around 6o days or 2 months before the client pays them. You have to be careful, they might not pay you money properly. They lock your money and if you want to transfer for some reason, you are stuck. Imagine if you make $10,000 a month, then it is around $20,000 they are holding. You have to clarify how much of your money the company usually holds. You have to ask them to pay irrespective of client pays or not.
Ask if the company gives you better percentage if you look your own project?
Usually, if you are working on percentage basis, the company pays you around 3-5% more than what you usually get if you find project on your own. Clarify, some of them do not do this. It is bad deal if they do not give you more percentage. Because, it is your hard work and you better get rewarded. If you are on salary basis, it doesn’t make much difference. But, you can always negotiate.
If you any further questions, post a comment and I will try to reply….
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{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Hello Kumar,
Can anyone apply for H1B visa on his own or only the company for which he/she is working can apply on his/her behalf?
Some student on F1 told me that one can’t apply for H1B after OPT on his own. I need your opinion on this. Please
Also, Can anyone apply for H1B directly after graduation If they have a job offer from an employer/comapany? OR One should have to complete the OPT first?
I seek your valuable advice on this.
Thanks
Best,
Tarun
Tarun,
Only an employer can file for H-1. The H-1 can be applied even before the completion of OPT, and in some cases while the person is still pursuing course on F-1.
Hello Saurabh,
Thank you clearing my doubts. I appreciate your advice.
Pay my regards to Kumar.
Thank you
Best,
Tarun
Hello sir,
I am working in Cellular department (Field Maintenance Engineer, RF optimisation for both 2G & 3G) in BSNL since 3 years.
I am interested to go for H1b job.
Is there any chance for me in the same field in US or Canada.
What is the minimum expenditure for 1 month for 1 person in Canada ?
Please give reply,
Hi,
I am currently on my L1 and looking to change to H1B . Currently searching for one company to sponsor. As you had said most companies do not pay upfront for the visa . Does that mean I need to pay the whole amount from my pocket? In that case can you let me know how much will I be required to pay.
Sundar
Sundar,
Legally the employer is supposed to pay for H-1 fees. You can only bear the attorney fees and PP fees. H-1 cost is usually 2000-4000 USD (excluding PP and attorney fees) depending upon size and number of H-1, L-1 employees in the company.
Thanks Saurabh..
i have heard some consulting companies asks us to sponsor even the H-1 fees.( may be indirectly) . Is this a common trend or a very few companies do this.
Sundar,
Usually the consulting companies do that, and they know that they are breaking the law by asking the beneficiary to pay for the fees.
Hi,
I just graduated in BS Computer Science and I don’t have work experience but only academic exp. Now I am looking for consultancy comp which train and place you the job, Also I am in OPT. One of them provides me 1st year $25/hr and 2nd year 30/hr but they promised me to file the H1B visa,,,, But in the contract they havent mentioned the sponsorship? Do you think this company is relaible? I am so confuse….Because I dont trust the people upfront. Please tell me some advice….
Best Reegards
Rik
I doubt if any company would put that in a contract that they would provide you H-1 sponsorship, as they might want to see your performance before spending 3-4K on you.
You can still join the company on OPT, and see how reliable they are. Meanwhile you can continue your search for other companies. Remember, on OPT you can be unemployed for up to 90 days only (and this includes both initial OPT period and OPT extension). H-1 quota is still open, so you still have some time in hand to do a better employer search (i.e. if this company turns out not what you thought initially).
Hi I am in US, currently on H4 visa. I have a SSN.
I am talking to many consultants for H1B visa.
Once my H1 is filed, when can i start working?
Is it the case that I can start working once I see the petition is approved?
Or, I need to wait till Oct 1st even though petition is approved?
You already have SSN. Was that due to prior H-1 or something else?
If you already have been counted in the H-1 quota in the past, then you can start working immediately on the basis of COS approval (provided new employer files it as H-1 transfer). Otherwise, you will have to wait until 1st Oct 2011 or actual approval date (whichever is later).
Hi,
I have been offered a job in a consulting company in US.
Following is the scenario :
1. I have 13 years of exp. in SAP with a reputed multinational company.
2. The offer letter does not contain the full package but only mentions a component of the full package as salary.When Asked why – It was mentioned
to take care of USCIS Issues.
3. There a seperate document which mentions of the break up of the full package into 2 parts : Salary ( as mentioned in the offer letter ) and Project Bonus.
4. Also he is asking me to sign a terms and conditions document which mentions following broad level terms :
1. Minimum time to serve : 30 months
2. If any breach : 45$ X No. of days left for 30 months along with the Project Bonus needs to be repaid back by the employee.
My questions are :
1. What Salary should I expect at this level of experience
2. Are his demands right.
Rgds,
KSIS
You can go to glassdoor and look at salaries being offered for your role in other companies. For example, if Accenture or IBM also employ SAP consultants, then you can check their salary. You can also browse through related job postings (on dice, monster etc) to see what salary is being offered by the competitors.
As for the terms, employment is at will in US. The employer or employee can terminate the relationship at any point of time, and no one can be forced to be w/ the company for minimum period. Even if you sign the contract, such a contract may not hold up in a court (check state labor laws for that). However, the company can sue you for reasonable business losses. $45* number of days doesn’t look like the best calculation to me.
Even my employer has written something like this:
In the event that you breach the termination notice or other provisions of this Agreement or
that your employment is terminated voluntarily or
for cause prior to the completion of twenty four months of employment or
your obtaining of permanent residency status ( “Green Card”),
or
within six months after your relocation to a new customer site or prior to the completion of any project to which you are then assigned , you agree
(i) to repay in full all actual travel and relocation expenses or other advances or other advances paid or reimbursed to you by the Company and you authorize the Company to deduct and withhold such payment in full from any compensation or other amounts otherwise owed or payable to you; and
(ii) to reimburse the Company for all costs and expenses (including legal fees) incurred in connection with your application for H-1 Visa status or Green Card status;
(iii) to Company’s withdrawal of its sponsorship of your H-1 Visa status or Green Card status; and
(iv) to pay the Company as liquidated damages and not as a penalty a further sum of Ten Thousand Dollars (10,000.00). You acknowledge that liquidated damages in such amount is reasonable under the circumstances in lighter of the fact that significant damages and expenses will be suffered or incurred by the Company and in recognition of the difficulty and further expense of proving the exact amount thereof.
You authorize the Company to deduct and withhold all amounts to be paid by you under this paragraph from any compensation or other amounts otherwise owed or payable top you.
Chandran,
It is better to get the document reviewed by a labor immigration lawyer to know which items are enforceable and which are not. At times, employers add everything b/w the earth and sky to generate fear amongst it’s employees. What stands in the court, is a different story.
hi,
any idea on Grapnel Tech llc ? they say, they will training & we are supposed to pay $450. once we complete it, they will place us and then sponsor H1B. any suggestions….
Not that I am aware of. Be careful, they might be just trying to trick you and get you pay for classes…verify with someone
Hi ,
I plan to join one consultancy, they provide the training and then placement. They said for the first 3 month they pay $25 (No matter how much company pay them) After this 3 month they start to pay parentage 60- 40 (6 month) and then 70-30.
Presently i am MSCS student and i want to do work on CPT (Part time total not more then 9 month). So my OPT period can remain. So is it the good deal or i need to be more research about this.
They provide lodging. They may file H1B during OPT. GC will file if the person can remain with them 1.5years or more.
I hope of your guidance.
Thanks in advance.
They are trying to exploit you, that is ridiculous to pay $25 for first three months….You should be paid at least $15 to 20 per hour when you do internship on CPT. You are not going to stick with them that long….Try to look for an internship in a company that can lead you to full time job….I know it is hard, but give it a shot.
Thanks Kumar,
As you said i will try to look for the Internship, but it is not so easy as you said.
What if i want to cont. with consultancy and if i got a internship can i switch to other job. Consultancy ask for the agreement ($3000) but as far as i know the law in USA not allow any agreement. Is it true? Or what kind of action they will take if I get job by my own?
Hope of your reply.
Well, depends on what kind of agreement. I have heard some cases where employer scares employees…As long as you do not sign anything, you should be fine…