Hey Peter!
I’m considering a move to the US with my current employer in the near/far future. What’s the best way to do so if I want to keep the option of getting permanent residency open? I’m Australian so I’m qualified for an E-3 visa, but as I understand it, it’s only for non immigration intent so applying for any sort of permanent residency would be grounds for it to be revoked. (for context, company is a 1000+ head count multinational and I’m currently working in a satellite office)
On a semi related note - what’s the actual definition of “equivalent to a 4 years US bachelors degree”? I have a 3 year B.Sc from an accredited Australian uni. Would that count against me in any way?
IANAL. I have a 3 year BSc from Australia. This was very much the norm when I studied; I think 4 year degrees are more common now.
For my visa, my employers' lawyer paid an accredited firm to examine my transcript, confirm it was equivalent to a 4 year US bachelors, and put that in a letter which was part of my application. Interview was at the consulate in Australia, no problems.
Later in life when I was working in the US and applied for a green card, my employers' (junior) lawyers took the view that the 3-year wouldn't suffice - the rules are either different, or being differently interpreted by a separate arm of the US government.
I had 5+ years of relevant work experience before my current company/role, which is considered just as good for the green card process, so we relied on that. Because that was a clearcut option, I didn't fully explore whether good lawyering could make the 3-year degree, and/or my several years of experience for my current employer in an evolving role, work.
Without my knowing all the details, it is highly likely that you would qualify for an E-3 visa easily and as an E-3 visa holder you could pursue green card status (despite what you might have read or heard to the contrary).
To be clear, the standard for obtaining an equivalency isn't hard to reach whether based on just experience or a combination of education and experience.
On a semi related note - what’s the actual definition of “equivalent to a 4 years US bachelors degree”? I have a 3 year B.Sc from an accredited Australian uni. Would that count against me in any way?
Thanks for opening this thread!