My situation - Please someone help me out....

[BSFelix]

This situation has to be very common, so it may be interesting to more people
=========================================================

I am in Los Angeles right now with some american friends, I'm portuguese and I came here to study in Pasadena City College, though the fees are absurdly higher than what is paid by an american citizen ($160 vs $26 / unit). I have a students visa as long as I continue paying the fees, for a maximum of 3 years.

I can't work right now, I'm helping out my friends with THEIR work, as an act of kindness, not receiving any payment, because it's illegal.

I was in University in Portugal, for almost 4 years, and I dropped everything to come here.

To this date I remain undergraduate, but I am confident of my capacities in my professional field (graphic/web design and media production), I have an extensive experience despite my age, and I want to become an american citizen, or at least have some sort of status to allow me to live my life here just like everyone else.

Still, just as a student with no work visa, very few companies will accept hiring me, even if they can, because the process is way too complicated even for a corporation.

What are my options? What is the best thing I can do to become a citizen/permanently legalized?

I have my skills, I may have a lot to contribute to this country and a lot to give to this community, so what are my chances of becoming "accepted"? What should I aim for and where should I start?

 

[great guru]

It is not clear from your posting, whether you have a Bachelor Degree? If you have BS degree and have experience in IT field definitely you will get sponserd for H1 visa, which is not at all complicated. This year it is too late.

If you have not completed your BS degree you do not have many choice to stay here with legal status, unless you marry a USC girl.

CA Residence Tuition fees are cheaper because they pay thier huge Federal and CA State Tax but you are not. You will not get cheaper education in US.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

This situation has to be very common, so it may be interesting to more people
=========================================================

I am in Los Angeles right now with some american friends, I'm portuguese and I came here to study in Pasadena City College, though the fees are absurdly higher than what is paid by an american citizen ($160 vs $26 / unit). I have a students visa as long as I continue paying the fees, for a maximum of 3 years.

I can't work right now, I'm helping out my friends with THEIR work, as an act of kindness, not receiving any payment, because it's illegal.

I was in University in Portugal, for almost 4 years, and I dropped everything to come here.

To this date I remain undergraduate, but I am confident of my capacities in my professional field (graphic/web design and media production), I have an extensive experience despite my age, and I want to become an american citizen, or at least have some sort of status to allow me to live my life here just like everyone else.

Still, just as a student with no work visa, very few companies will accept hiring me, even if they can, because the process is way too complicated even for a corporation.

What are my options? What is the best thing I can do to become a citizen/permanently legalized?

I have my skills, I may have a lot to contribute to this country and a lot to give to this community, so what are my chances of becoming "accepted"? What should I aim for and where should I start?

 

[BSFelix]

Thank you so much for your reply.

No I don't have a bachelor's degree - so it means that, even if someone has pHd technical skills, if that person doesn't have a certification from some school, there is no possibility of being accepted in the US?

If I stay 3 years in this college (paying around 28 thousand dollars in fees to do that), I get an Associate's degree. Is that enough?

Is there a way for me to get a bachelors degree equivalence based on my past education in university / work experience and portfolio? Who can help me with that? Can't I have my work and skills evaluated by a certified professional who will give me a degree equivalence?

What if I have a company that wants to hire me based on my special skills, and apply for H1-B next year? What will happen?

 

[BSFelix]

This doesn't make any sense, there has to be another way!

I have professional skills! Isn't there anyone smart, in charge of things, that I can talk to?

 

[svend]

This doesn't make any sense, there has to be another way!

I have professional skills! Isn't there anyone smart, in charge of things, that I can talk to?

You may have professional skills, but so do a lot of other people. You can't just walse into America and expect to receive special treatment. Since you don't have a degree, your chances of staying are very slim, unless you are studying here (which costs money as you have discovered).

You will have an extremely difficult situation getting any kind of work. You don't qualify for a skilled employee visa, as there is the bachelor's degree requirement. There are no unskilled visa categories you would be eligible for. And coming from Portugal, asulum etc. is obviously out of the question.

So, keep going to school. Keep in mind that an Associate's Degree is only a two year study in the U.S. and not enough to meet the requirements for an H-1B visa. If you can't afford going to school here, I suggest you go back home and get your degree. You can then find a company sponsor in the U.S. and apply for a work visa -- like everybody else does. There are no shortcuts, sorry. Remember that you have to apply early April for the year you would like to start work in the U.S. (when you have your degree). This year the H-1B work visa quota for fiscal 2008 was met ON THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY in April.

Consider your options carefully and good luck.

 

[BSFelix]

You may have professional skills, but so do a lot of other people. You can't just walse into America and expect to receive special treatment. Since you don't have a degree, your chances of staying are very slim, unless you are studying here (which costs money as you have discovered).

You will have an extremely difficult situation getting any kind of work. You don't qualify for a skilled employee visa, as there is the bachelor's degree requirement. There are no unskilled visa categories you would be eligible for. And coming from Portugal, asulum etc. is obviously out of the question.

So, keep going to school. Keep in mind that an Associate's Degree is only a two year study in the U.S. and not enough to meet the requirements for an H-1B visa. If you can't afford going to school here, I suggest you go back home and get your degree. You can then find a company sponsor in the U.S. and apply for a work visa -- like everybody else does. There are no shortcuts, sorry. Remember that you have to apply early April for the year you would like to start work in the U.S. (when you have your degree). This year the H-1B work visa quota for fiscal 2008 was met ON THE FIRST BUSINESS DAY in April.

Consider your options carefully and good luck.

Apparently I should be the one giving advice in this forum!

You didn't mention the possibility of getting official bachelor's degree equivalence, or the possibility of H1B for modeling or O1 visa for outstanding talent in arts.

If you really think H1B is the only way, I suggest you go inform yourself about how this works! I wouldn't be comfortable giving out advice if I had your level of understanding, which is significantly low. Thanks, the intention was good, but even I know more details about this than you.

 

[svend]

Apparently I should be the one giving advice in this forum!

Trashing someone who is bothering to reply to your post isn't very smart. You had an attitude from your first post. It's not our fault you don't really qualify to be in America in very many ways, now is it?

You didn't mention the possibility of getting official bachelor's degree equivalence, or the possibility of H1B for modeling or O1 visa for outstanding talent in arts.

Since you mentioned you are still in school right now, and don't even have an undergraduate degree, a degree evaluation doesn't make much sense unless you for some reason have a lot of RELEVANT experience, obtained before you went back to school.

If you are into modeling or is extremely talented in arts, I SUGGEST YOU MENTION THAT IN YOUR ORIGINAL POST!! And since you obviously have at least somewhat of a clue about the different options, how about asking a little more specific questions?

If you really think H1B is the only way, I suggest you go inform yourself about how this works! I wouldn't be comfortable giving out advice if I had your level of understanding, which is significantly low.

Now you are being downright childish, Mr. Portugal. If you know so much, please go ahead and do something about your case. Or maybe your options are too limited to really do anything?

I don't need to inform myself in any way, thanks. I am all through the procedure.

 

[BSFelix]

Trashing someone who is bothering to reply to your post isn't very smart. You had an attitude from your first post. It's not our fault you don't really qualify to be in America in very many ways, now is it?


Since you mentioned you are still in school right now, and don't even have an undergraduate degree, a degree evaluation doesn't make much sense unless you for some reason has a lot of RELEVANT experience, obtained before you went back to school.

If you are into modeling or is extremely talented in arts, I SUGGEST YOU MENTION THAT IN YOUR ORIGINAL POST!! And since you obviously have at least somewhat of a clue about the different options, how about asking a little more specific questions?


Now you are being downright childish, Mr. Portugal. If you know so much, please go ahead and do something about your case. Or maybe your options are too limited to really do anything?

I don't need to inform myself in any way, thanks. I am all through the procedure.

Ok sorry. But your attitude was even more lame - you have to admit that Very unpleasant

 

[svend]

Ok sorry. But your attitude was even more lame - you have to admit that Very unpleasant

Apology accepted. I can promise you that being realistic about your options now will benefit you in the long run. As great guru told you almost a year ago, you don't have many choices to choose from without a degree. Since you are going to school right now, I highly suggest you finish a degree. That will improve your chances significantly.

Why did you drop school in Portugal to come here instead of finishing your degree? Have you looked into transferring credits to an American school? If you studied at university for almost 4 years in Portugal, you should be able to finish a bachelor's degree here in a fairly short amount of time.

 

[BSFelix]

Does anyone here know how a bachelor's degree equivalence works? I need to create a new topic.
I know an attourney once told me that, and mentioned like it was a sure thing to get, considering european schooling is way more demanding than in the US. I can notice that definitely. College is definitely not challenging at all, even in Pasadena where they say it's an above average college.

Considering the number of dumb people I met with a degree in UCLA, I imagine university is not very different either. Too bad it's so damn expensive. Funny paradox that a capitalist system ends up closing the doors to people like me, that would be a good contribution, economically.

 

[svend]

Does anyone here know how a bachelor's degree equivalence works? I need to create a new topic.
I know an attourney once told me that, and mentioned like it was a sure thing to get, considering european schooling is way more demanding than in the US. I can notice that definitely. College is definitely not challenging at all, even in Pasadena where they say it's an above average college.

Considering the number of dumb people I met with a degree in UCLA, I imagine university is not very different either. Too bad it's so damn expensive. Funny paradox that a capitalist system ends up closing the doors to people like me, that would be a good contribution, economically.

Sounds like you are a really smart guy. I am sure you will determine the best course of action. If you run out of options, there are plenty of other exciting countries where you can go and work with a lot less hassle. Good luck.

 

[BSFelix]

Sounds like you are a really smart guy. I am sure you will determine the best course of action. If you run out of options, there are plenty of other exciting countries where you can go and work with a lot less hassle. Good luck.

I love the fact that you're so obviously sarcastic.

You're surely aware that someone like me will not settle for anything else. I'd rather die, to be honest.
I want this country because I love it, just like you probably do, and I know I can use its opportunities in the entertainment industry better than a lot of people, unfortunately!
I'm sure you would hate to be in my situation and be told what you just told me.
So be nice and cut that attitude of yours ok? thanks

 

[svend]

I love the fact that you're so obviously sarcastic.

You placed that one before me on a silver plate.

You're surely aware that someone like me will not settle for anything else. I'd rather die, to be honest.

I was serious on this one though, I am confident you will figure something out, even though it may take a considerable effort to end up where you want to be.

It would be a terrible waste to have you kill yourself because you couldn't stay in America!

I want this country because I love it, just like you probably do, and I know I can use its opportunities in the entertainment industry better than a lot of people, unfortunately!

That's the spirit! Welcome to America.

Take this advice though; a good life somewhere else can be preferable to a miserable one in America. Don't set your eyes on America if it wouldn't lead you anywhere, i.e. staying here illegally or not being able to qualify for your long term goals. Going back home or somewhere else could be the better option at least short term, to be able to afford finishing school or something to that effect.

Another piece of advice - please do consult a good immigration attorney before making any decisions in your own situation. A single consultation can save you a lot of speculation and bring you a lot closer to making the right decisions. Immigration attorneys also have experience with degree evaluation and equivalence.

I am also serious on this one -- good luck. Feel free to continue to use the forums in your endeavors.

 

[BSFelix]

You placed that one before me on a silver plate.


I was serious on this one though, I am confident you will figure something out, even though it may take a considerable effort to end up where you want to be.

It would be a terrible waste to have you kill yourself because you couldn't stay in America!


That's the spirit! Welcome to America.

Take this advice though; a good life somewhere else can be preferable to a miserable one in America. Don't set your eyes on America if it wouldn't lead you anywhere, i.e. staying here illegally or not being able to qualify for your long term goals. Going back home or somewhere else could be the better option at least short term, to be able to afford finishing school or something to that effect.

Another piece of advice - please do consult a good immigration attorney before making any decisions in your own situation. A single consultation can save you a lot of speculation and bring you a lot closer to making the right decisions. Immigration attorneys also have experience with degree evaluation and equivalence.

I am also serious on this one -- good luck. Feel free to continue to use the forums in your endeavors.

Hey thanks! best wishes for you 2