Do state/county government sponsor H1B visa?

[Gabrielle121]

Dear All,

I am an international student graduated recently. I got a master degree in accounting and am interested in some accounting-related full-time positions at state and county government. I was wondering whether they sponsor H1B visa for international student or whether you have seen some examples. Thank you very much!!

 

[LdiJ]

Dear All,

I am an international student graduated recently. I got a master degree in accounting and am interested in some accounting-related full-time positions at state and county government. I was wondering whether they sponsor H1B visa for international student or whether you have seen some examples. Thank you very much!!

Honestly, I do not think there is any chance that a government entity would sponsor someone for a H1B visa, particularly for an accounting position. Even if the law allowed for that, (which I think is unlikely) there would likely be many qualified US citizens applying for any government job.

 

[OHRoadwarrior]

The only way I can see you getting sponsorship for a job as an accountant, is if it pays in the $10 p/hr range. There are many people with accounting degrees unemployed.

 

[Proserpina]

Honestly, I do not think there is any chance that a government entity would sponsor someone for a H1B visa, particularly for an accounting position. Even if the law allowed for that, (which I think is unlikely) there would likely be many qualified US citizens applying for any government job.

Government research organizations can sponsor H1Bs (just to clarify).

However, the important point is the last part about the qualified US citizens. That's going to scupper the OP from the get-go, I think.

 

[Gabrielle121]

Thank you all for your very prompt reply. I am sad to hear the cruel reality...

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

Government agencies can and do sponsor H-1B visas. The issue is not whether they would have to prove there are no qualified US workers, as that is not the standard for the H-1B. The issue is that there is such a high level of bureaucracy within the government agencies, that it is just unlikely they will bother unless you are really indispensable to them and the manager vouches for you. But even so, it will take a long time before it is cleared through all the internal channels for them to even decide to file the petition. I would probably suggest that you look in the private sector, which is more likely to get you what you want and faster.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.

 

[Proserpina]

Government agencies can and do sponsor H-1B visas. The issue is not whether they would have to prove there are no qualified US workers, as that is not the standard for the H-1B. The issue is that there is such a high level of bureaucracy within the government agencies, that it is just unlikely they will bother unless you are really indispensable to them and the manager vouches for you. But even so, it will take a long time before it is cleared through all the internal channels for them to even decide to file the petition. I would probably suggest that you look in the private sector, which is more likely to get you what you want and faster.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.

Could you please expand on that?

Thanks.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

It's really simple. Whereas in a private company, there is a decision made to hire someone. If that someone is a foreign national who needs a visa in order to be eligible to work, there is usually only a couple of people who can make the decision of whether or not the person will be sponsored by the company (usually the manager and HR/higher level executive/manager).

With a government agency, there are just many more levels of review and determination that take a long time and so, effectively, it is a waste of time to proceed unless, again, it is a high enough position that someone higher up can and will make a determination quickly and the person is really deemed indispensable to the agency.

 

[ImmigAttyLana]

Yes, it is possible for a government agency to sponsor someone for H-1B visa as long as the job qualifies for that classification and the prospective employee has the right education for the job.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions or how I can be of further assistance to you in this matter.

 

[Zigner]

Did you get hired by state? If yes, then what did you do?

Please start your own thread with your own questions. Thank you.