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This is a tough situation to live through. If I remember how US visas work, there's usually some kind of time limit you have to stay employed for, after which you're allowed to stay in the country. That's probably where I would start if I were in your shoes: Figure out how much longer I need to survive before this part of my life suddenly becomes derisked. If there's, say, only 3 months left, then you're probably in a pretty fair position. If it's 3.5 years ... Maybe it's best to have a backup plan ready, just in case. I've heard it estimated to me informally that the final cost for a company to sponsor a foreign citizen on a visa is around $5-10,000. That's a fair chunk of change, and some hassle in the meanwhile, but if you can get a good worker at a below market price many businesses would be willing to take the risk on hiring you. The risk of them losing you is also much smaller because of the visa situation, so don't think it's a hopeless sell by any means. If it is at all possible, I would keep a minimum of $10,000 lying around in some easily-liquidatable form in case the oh shit moment finally drops. The reason you would want this is because you might have to break a rent contact, incurring a fine; move states; and start a new rent contract, all in very short order. That's a lot to have on your plate at once. You might have to buy a beater car if you don't have one already, etc. But you have the chance now to at least ensure you can survive if you end up in that situation. Never doubt the robustness and peace of mind a good solid chunk of savings can afford you. If none of that pans out and you get ousted, you can at least pat yourself on the back and tell yourself you made the most logical moves afforded to you in the situation. With US techie experience you'll find it easier to break into other markets as well. I for example moved to Finland from the US a few years ago, almost right after graduating college, and the immigration policies here are miles easier to get through. The US is known worldwide for being a famously brutal market to work in, so that experience will travel well. |