similar job rules, GC costs, W2 hourly

[confusedalien]

Hi,
I am planning to use AC21.
My job's o.c.c. code is 030.062-010 (title 'S/w engineer') and corresponding Onet code is 15-1031.00.

1) Now, armed with this info, how do i look for jobs (in jobsites) that are similar?
ie. do I look for s/w engineer only, or are there any other similar job titles that are acceptable?
Or, do I have to see if the new job descriptions contain sentences similar to the descriptions for 030.062-010?

2) My company expects me to repay all fees, if i leave (will come around 1.5 to 2K). They can technically withhold it from my last paycheck.
Is this legal? Is there any way to avoid paying up?

3) W2 vs 1099 vs W2-hourly:
I saw from other threads that it may be risky to start a company and do 1099 while on AC21.
Can I still do an hourly W2 as opposed to a salaried W2? Is there any advantage for one over the other?

thanks
confusedalien

 

[TheRealCanadian]

ie. do I look for s/w engineer only, or are there any other similar job titles that are acceptable?

USCIS' definition of "same or similar" has more common sense than anything else they have done lately. Use your gut. I went from "e-business consultant" to "java developer" without issues, since the duties were both software development.

My company expects me to repay all fees, if i leave (will come around 1.5 to 2K). They can technically withhold it from my last paycheck.
Is this legal? Is there any way to avoid paying up?

Did you agree to this arrangement with them? If so, then yes.

I saw from other threads that it may be risky to start a company and do 1099 while on AC21.

Yes, because you need to be employed by somebody, not yourself.

Can I still do an hourly W2 as opposed to a salaried W2? Is there any advantage for one over the other?

Both arrangements are fine from an immigration perspective.

 

[confusedalien]

thanks