alt Hacker NewsI have a question for a friend who is looking to work at US-based companies either remotely and is open to relocating and moving there if required, but she is from the UK and a citizen there who just left her job as a software engineer at a startup in the UK recently.
She is looking to be able to legally work for some of these US based companies and is also interested in US startups but when applying she cannot answer the US authorization question in the application (If she said 'No' it will get her an immediate rejection). So my question(s) are:
What is the best visa for her to apply for as a UK citizen to work for a US company?
How long will it take for her to get the visa so she can apply for US jobs?
U.S. work authorization isn't required to work for a U.S. company if the worker will be working remotely outside the U.S. Regarding her work visa options, they are limited. The only option immediately available is the O-1 visa, which is for people of "extraordinary ability," a high standard but attainable by many talented professionals. The H-1B "professional worker" visa is much easier to qualify for but it's only available once a year and via a lottery so it's not a realistic option. If she really wants to work for a U.S. company remotely or in the U.S., then she should have a consultation with an immigration attorney and have her background evaluated.