When can I apply for a job? all the paperwork is submitted and visa interview is complete

[dmonaghan]

Hi,

My wife is an American citizen, I am Irish and we live in Dublin, Ireland and have filed all our paperwork (I-130) and just completed the visa interview in the American embassy in Dublin.
We weren't aware that a visa would not be issued to us directly in Ireland, but instead it would be finalized on arrival in the U.S.
This essentially means that I cannot get a job until I actually have the visa which I will only get on arrival in the U.S. (or the final processing of the visa will take place on arrival).

We both have good jobs in Ireland and basically we were not planning on moving to America until I had a good job to go to. Which I would hope would be sooner rather than later. This now changes things a little.

Can I legally start applying for jobs in America now?
If I get an offer of a job now (or once I receive my passport, etc back from the embassy in Dublin) can I accept it?

Also, if by chance I travel to the U.S. (for an interview) and complete the visa process do I have to stay in the country or can I travel back to Ireland? As I mentioned I don't want to give up a good job here until I have a job over there.

thanks for any help,
David

 

[Al Southner]

YES, applying for jobs doesn't require any visa or green card in hand, just apply and hope someone likes your profile and can interview you. Here is the challenge you will have, who wants to consider a candidate in Europe right now? Most employers don't want to consider the cost associated with H1B visa, plus there won't be any till next year. You better option will be to move to the US, find a place and live on your saving while looking for a JOB. I would be reluctant to hire someone from overseas, without knowing their ability to obtain a work permit or authorization.

Once you have a job offer, most employers would want to know if you can legally work in the US. How long will your passport take be returned with a US visa? If you have a green card, you can move in and out of the US without any problems, and you can come and interview for jobs here in Uncle Sam. This is what you might consider, complete the green card application process, upon arriving in the US, you and wife stay with friends until your green card arrives in the mail. Upon arrival, you both return to Ireland and you can use your friend's home address on your resume to apply for jobs, but indicate you can be reached via email. Once an interview is set-up in the US, you board the plane and come and interview here.

 

[Jackolantern]

We weren't aware that a visa would not be issued to us directly in Ireland, but instead it would be finalized on arrival in the U.S.

You actually will get an immigrant visa in Ireland. You just won't get the physical plastic green card until a few weeks after you arrive in the US. But your status will begin on the first day of your arrival. Once you arrive in the US and they stamp your passport at the port of entry, you're a permanent resident, eligible to work in the US immediately.

We both have good jobs in Ireland and basically we were not planning on moving to America until I had a good job to go to. Which I would hope would be sooner rather than later. This now changes things a little.

Remember that once you're issued the immigrant visa at the consulate, you will only have 6 months to enter the US.

Can I legally start applying for jobs in America now?
If I get an offer of a job now (or once I receive my passport, etc back from the embassy in Dublin) can I accept it?

You can apply for a US job without any legal status in the US, unless it specifically requires US citizenship (99% of non-government jobs don't have that requirement). What matters is that you have legal status when you show up for your first day of work. And you will have legal permanent status the first day you arrive in the US, so that won't be a problem even if you plan to go to work the very next day.

Also, if by chance I travel to the U.S. (for an interview) and complete the visa process do I have to stay in the country or can I travel back to Ireland? As I mentioned I don't want to give up a good job here until I have a job over there.

Yes, you can leave the US soon after your initial entry. Just don't stay out for more than a year (preferably keep your absence under 6 months).