I'm planning to migrate to USA after I finished my studies in local university. And I want to be a software engineer for my lifetime career. Is it hard to survive at there?

Well, you need to do more research. For a Malaysian, you can't just migrate to the U.S. like that.

You need to secure a job in the U.S. and get the company to apply for work visa for you. Once approved, you can go to the U.S. and work. But this is not migration because the work visa is only valid of 5 years.

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Added on January 6, 2013, 8:54 pmAnd it's extremely difficult (like next-to-impossible) for a local grad to get a job in the U.S. If companies need foreigners, there are tens of thousands of foreign students in the U.S., and that includes a lot of Malaysians.

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Added on January 6, 2013, 8:55 pmTo answer your question, if you work and live there, it is easy to survive.

This post has been edited by iastate: Jan 6 2013, 08:55 PM

working visa = H1 visa for 3 years and able to be renewed 1 time. So you can work for 6 years straight and then have to leave the country for 1 year then only can re-apply.

yes, its really tough to get job in US from abroad. However it still possible for US company to sponcer a foreigner working visa + GC while the foreigner not in United States. I have several friends working in Malaysia for US company able to be moved to US by sponcering H1 then GC. They really good one with several filed patent.

Yup, the key is you have to be really good at what you do! For a local fresh grad, well...

my friends from local uni.... you, as fresh grad better think of a good career path to improve your technical competency. There is no short cut in your life. everything need hardship. I with local uni and worked in malaysia too.... however i did my graduate study with RA in US.... everyone of us study and working abroad, has gone through hardship not as what you thought....

Err... you are not responding to me right? I am not the one who started this thread...

sub-par english + no experience with american culture + common skill set + non-us degree = doubtful

no offense brah

some fresh graduates feel invincible, full of hope, the sky is the limit. Reality will correct that within a few years

Most of the time I do agree with this, but at least the TS has ambition and wasn't afraid to ask.

Let's hope after the reality check he/she won't go hide somewhere and not even try anything else

agree. a person without hope or ambition is nothing....walking dead.... however, dare to dream dare to take action...i see many dare to dream but not dare to do....i think might be too comfortable with current situation...

I don't think it's too hard to survive in the states

As mentioned by the others, H1 is an option, but there is a annual quota for H1 visas and you are competing with a tonnes of people with experience and potentially higher qualifications.

Another option will be L1, which is intra-company transfer visa, but you will have to working in satellite office of the US co. for at least 2 years to be eligible. Also, the US co. is in need of your specialized knowledge that is not available in US.

It might seems to be bleak, but there is really no harm is aiming for what you want (if it's really what you want)

how would you know that TS doesn't have experience with american culture?

TS, I suggest that you apply to study Masters in Software Engineering, Computer Science, etc. (whichever you interested in).

Most Univ provides GTA (graduate teaching assistant) or GRA (graduate research assistant) programme. In this programme, you will get partially sponsored study programme and work part time in the same time.

Get your Masters within 1-2 years, after that, search for a job, and then, you can get your work visas or PR later on. It's easier that way.

Quota for 2013 H1 visa has already been exhausted. Will need to go for 2014 quota assuming theres a company willing to sponsor the TS.

L1 visa requirement is 1 year within a 3 years look back period.

This seems to be the best option IMO for the TS. Go to US and complete the masters, once complete the graduate is allowed to work for slightly over a year. During that time, get an employer to sponsor for a H1B. There's a quota for advanced degree holders under the H1 quota, should be slightly easier to get it.

+1

Not forgeting its super duper ( and i don't know what else adjective to use) to get a job in usa. Near impossible.