Information for Software Temp Workers coming from
India to USA
This page is designed mainly based on the questions I
received from friends in India who got their H1 petition approved. What
next....??? Please let me know if you find this page useful... I appreciate
your feedback! Well, before I go
any further, let me make the disclaimer very clear... The webmaster (that is
ME) does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy of contents on this
page. The webmaster has taken utmost care to provide correct are reliable
information. This page is only intended for information purposes.
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What
is consulting / contracting? |
Most of the H1 workers coming from India to US work as
contractors. Contracting is temporary jobs for a specific project in a company.
The company where you work pay the consulting company for the hours you work.
Though you are paid a monthly salary, the consulting firm is getting paid on an
hourly basis. Most of the contracts are for a duration of 6 months, which will
be extended as required by the project. There may be many consulting firms
(widely known as 'head hunters') between your employer and the company you
work. Each one takes a 'cut' on the amount you make! That's the reason every
Green Card holder from India has a dream of starting a consulting company to
bring people from India and become millionaire in a short period!!
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What
is "BENCH" period? |
Well, initially and between projects you may be on
"bench", that is out of work... most of the time with salary! This is
the period you attend interviews sitting at home (over phone), do some reading,
watch a lot of TV, make phone calls, do a lot of sleeping, and tell a lot of
lies!
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How
to consider whether an offer is good or not? |
This is one question everyone has but there is no definite
answer I can give. Most of it depends on the platform you have experience in
and your place of work. Although there are websites which give you an idea
of what the hourly rate for a
contractor or salary for an
employee, since you are on H1 and there will almost be two companies taking
'cut' on your rate, you don't see most of the money you make! The best is to
ask a friend in the US, preferably in the same area where you are supposed
work. He can give you a better idea of salaries, cost of living, etc. Once you
are in US, you may be able to switch companies to get a good salary! Generally
ERP consultants make good money (that's why so many training centers in Madras
and Hyderabad offering courses in People Soft, SAP and Oracle Financials!!). Salary Survey for Computer
Professionals
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How
about the company? Reputation? |
To be frank, it does not matter! You may browse
the net for more information on the company. Negotiate the initial salary
well with the employer. Make sure he pays you from the day you land in US. Some
companies will only reimburse your expenses till you get a job, and pay salary
from the day you start work... Be careful in signing 'bonds', though 'we' say
they do not have any value in the courts! Ask the employer about his
consultants, where they are placed, how many are on "bench", who are
his clients, what is the average time for him to place a consultant, whether
you can contact one of his employees, how long he is in the business, etc. The
most important thing is you do not submit your I94 or H1 original to your
employer. You need these when you leave the country or switch job.
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What
is I94? |
I94 is a card issued to you by the US INS (Immigration and
Naturalization Services) when you enter this country. You need I94 to leave the
country. You get a new I94 each time you enter US or you have new H1 (change
company).
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What
is Social Security Number (SSN)? |
Social Security Number is an unique 9 digit number which has
sort of become your identity in US. Once you reach US, you must apply for a
SSN. You may go to the local SS Administration office and apply for one showing
your Passport and I-94. You will receive the card within a few weeks. For more
information on SS and the benefits, visit Social
Security Administration Online.
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How
much is the tax percentage? |
The tax percentage and components vary from state to state.
These are the major components under TAX in your pay check.
1. Federal
Income Tax
-----> Rate
Table for 1999
-----> Standard
Deductions
-----> Calculate your
tax (Enter 0 for tax paid!)
2. Social Security Tax
-----> The rate is 6.20% (.062) on wages up to $65,400.
3. Medicare
Tax
-----> The rate is 1.45% (.0145) on wages.
4. State
Tax
-----> Rate Table for 1998
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What
to bring from India? What not to bring from India? |
Many people ask this question, and I do not have a definite
answer. When you land in US, for some days you'll be accomodated in a guest
house (apartment) or a hotel, till you find your first job. Abhijeeth
Chachad has compiled a good list of items, though it is for a student in
UTA Dallas, I beleive it is helpful and there is no point in me repeating it
out here.
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Is
International Driving License (IDP) required? |
It is very helpful if you know driving before coming to US.
IDP is not a must, but is good to have. You can rent a car here with IDP and a
credit card.
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What
is the dress code at work? |
This depends on the client where you work. Most of the work
places, the dress code is 'business casual' - that is casual dress, no canvas
shoes, no jeans, no shorts... you know! It is better you bring at least 2
suites.
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Whether
Indian food and groceries available? |
In most of the major cities all Indian grocery shops are
available. Even otherwise you will be able to get most of the groceries needed
for Indian type of cooking (except masala!)
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Where
is the city he is talking about located? |
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What
is involved in H1B processing? |
US Visa News - This
site has step by step procedures and a bunch of info!
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What are the phone numbers for Automated Visa Status Info? |
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Vermont
Service Center
(802) 527-3160 |
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Nebraska
Service Center (402) 437-5218 |
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Texas
Service
Center (214)
381-1423; (214) 767-7769 |
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California
Service
Center (714) 360-2769 |
The automated system asks you several questions and only
then it'll give you, the status. It might be pretty expensive for you to check
from India. You need to know your LIN number and which SERVICE CENTER to check
the status.
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What
is required to get a H4 visa for my spouse? |
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H1B
Approval Notice |
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Marriage
Certificate |
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Employment
Letter with Salary |
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Notarised
copy of relevant pages of Passport |
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Marriage
photos, Invitation |
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Bank
balance statement copy (Optional) |
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Pay slip
copy (Optional) |
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Spouse's
Passport, Visa application & Visa fee |
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How
to buy a car? |
Price of the car - Kelly Blue
Book
Monthly payment calculator for auto
loan
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How
to find an apartment? |
You can look for Apartment Locators in the Yellow pages and
tell them your requirement (like single/double bed, fitness center, swimming
pool, covered car parking, etc) and they will find give you a list of
apartments from which you can choose. Also you can find Apartment
online. All apartment locator services are free.
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What
is the cost of living at (city)? |
The major expense you should be worried about is the
apartment rent. Visit the Apartment
Locators page to see the approximate rent you would be paying. Consider the
tax payment and if you own a car, the monthly payments for car also. If you go
for a new car, the interest rate could vary anywhere between 7% to 12%.
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What
is the weather condition in (city)? |
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What
is credit report / history? |
For every credit card and charge account you have ever used,
your credit report contains information about you, your payment record, any
credit disputes or litigation you may have been involved in, even the names of
companies that have requested your credit record. Your credit history can
determine whether or not you get a credit card, a loan, what interest you will
pay, whether you can open a charge account, and even whether you can get an apartment.
Potential lenders rate your credit status based on your credit history. They
may obtain one, two, or even all three major bureau reports to make their
decisions. There are three major credit reporting agencies Experian (TRW)
1-800-831-5614, Equifax (1-800-967-0016) and Trans Union (1-800-899-7132). Credit History and Your Future.
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How
to get a credit card? |
It is better if you have a major credit card (Visa, Master,
Amex, Discover). If you are new to US, the easiest would be to get a 'Secured
Credit Card' or Debit Card, which is like a bank account, you deposit the amout
in the beginning and utilize that. These spendings also go into your credit
history, so you can get a 'real' credit card! Most of the banks now have either
Visa or Master card logo in their ATM cards, so you can use these cards as
credit cards too. It may be easier to get a credit card from a credit union
like DCU, based on
your employment and salary. Or you can get a charge card from American Express.
For charge card, you pay the amount in full every month, where as in credit
card you have to make only a minimum payment.