Working on H1B visa sucks big time!!! I had H1B for 9 years - got extended after 6 years since my green card was pending. Finally got my green card like 6 years ago.

Personally, if you have a stable job in Malaysia, just stay in Malaysia, there is job security there.

Current US economy is so volatile! No job security at all, company can just let you go without severance pay - as a matter of fact, they don't need to give a reason to terminate your employment. They call it employment at WILL, you can also quit without giving notice - more like just walk away from a job if you have a crappy boss!

Income wise - you need to make at least $100 K in order to live comfortably .. again tax is pain.. the more you earn the more you pay ! if you are making 100K plus in California - that's average salary and you would pay like 40 % tax.

If you are in the technology sector ( it's easy to find jobs here - then again you got to be good, technically strong! - managers find it hard to land a new job - and technical guys get better pay than managers! I'm a technical guy and I jump job almost every 6 months to 12 months )

- Easy to find job - if you have the green card - no visa changing issues! - provided you are good at what you do!
- I'm not whining about high taxation, just everyone needs to be aware about taxes in the states.
- I'm not interested to balik kampung since I have established myself here after so many years of struggling! Plus, Malaysian companies can't
afford to match my salary requirements!

All I'm saying is that if you are a student, it's ok to come - get a degree and blend in the economy and struggle to make it!

If you are a family man, think twice before choosing a career in America, there are a lot of suprises!

Yes - typical independent contractor Usually most agencies gives crappy medical benefits without 401 matching - again depends on how lucky you are!

Decent companies - i.e. Accenture, cap gemini - gives you excellent benefits & 401K matching ( match every dollar up to 10 %
of your paycheck for every year ) BUT - you get a crappy salary ( $100 - 120 K / year if you are senior - you work like a dog coz you are full time with them! )

Agencies - gives you no benefits - no 401 K -BUT - you get decent hourly rate - $70 - $120 / hr ( $140 K - $240 / year ) -
Depending on how you negotiate the deal - you can clock in over time and get paid more! So, if you buy your own benefits - you would spend $15K / year

You just have to do the math to see where you can fit and blend in.

Again, contract assignments can be terminated any time ( due to budget issues or if you suck at it - they will cut you lose first! )

Like I said, you are talented in IT world, you can make the money! People wear multiple hats here - can program multiple languages, databases, up to date with cutting edge technology and so forth.

I hope it helps!

Family coverage - You want to keep the best coverage - medical is expensive - every insurance has it's own set of deductible you choose to pay!.
If you pay more the for the premium, your deductible is cheaper.

my policy - $250 deductible per year, max out of pocket expense is 3000 a year ( meaning, once you pay 3000 a year, the insurance company can't bill you for any services rendered )

Are you planning to move to america?

Ask them to do the math properly.. i know a lot people regret moving to states coz..they don't save anything end of the day!
Just be careful.

I was guessing 10% match for it. Working for accenture suck too.

I'm in Atlanta -

That is great!!!! I wish I can do that!!! I burn $4.5K easily - family of 4 ( kids are 2 & 3 years old )