Anyone thought of moving to a different country?

[CleanSock]

Checked the new VB only today. Not sure what to make of it. I am angry and sad at the same time. I know patience is the key. But that said, did anyone think of moving to a different country where immigration rules are much better (except for one's own home country)? I know Europe is pretty much closed in terms of opportunities except for maybe Germany. What about New Zealand or Australia? Anyone has any information on how life is there?

[qesehmk]

CleanSock - assuming you are a fellow desi - I think for desi's US is the best location. I have been to other places and Americans by far are most tolerant open minded people anywhere in the world (that includes us Indians and I think Americans are better). I have seen people who migrate from other countries to US. But the ony people who migrate from US to outside are old people looking to get more bang for their buck. I know desi folks looking to migrate from NZ and Aus to US. But not other way round.

So my 2 cents on this are - suck it up because - the immigration process is messed up ... but in most situations it is still worth it. However I also know desi folks who didn't care and went back anyway and are happy in India too. Just that I haven't seen anybody move to Canada or UK or NZ or Aus.

Checked the new VB only today. Not sure what to make of it. I am angry and sad at the same time. I know patience is the key. But that said, did anyone think of moving to a different country where immigration rules are much better (except for one's own home country)? I know Europe is pretty much closed in terms of opportunities except for maybe Germany. What about New Zealand or Australia? Anyone has any information on how life is there?

[indiani]

CleanSock - assuming you are a fellow desi - I think for desi's US is the best location. I have been to other places and Americans by far are most tolerant open minded people anywhere in the world (that includes us Indians and I think Americans are better). I have seen people who migrate from other countries to US. But the ony people who migrate from US to outside are old people looking to get more bang for their buck. I know desi folks looking to migrate from NZ and Aus to US. But not other way round.

So my 2 cents on this are - suck it up because - the immigration process is messed up ... but in most situations it is still worth it. However I also know desi folks who didn't care and went back anyway and are happy in India too. Just that I haven't seen anybody move to Canada or UK or NZ or Aus.

Australia/ NZ/ canada/ UK all reasonable choices
but I personally like USA for several reasons moreover as a docotr I just can't move to another country at this time except of course going back to India ( which i personally hate to do )

[gclabor07]

Based on what I've seen among student population, those who can't score well enough on GRE/TOEFL or can't get admission or F1 student visa choose to go AUS, NZ, and may be Canada or UK as their second choice. I also had a cousin who did not even have a 4-year bachelor's degree (had some shady degree from a diploma-mill) was able to go to Australia on work visa without problems. So, in my personal opinion, quality of job, pay, quality of life may not be as rich as in the US because their standards of letting people in are a bit lower than in the US. Of course, there will be exceptionally talented students/people moving there too. But, by and large, if given a choice, people prefer to come to the US.

So, as Q suggests, suck it up. The wait is worth it.

I've been sucking it up too. I came on F1 visa in 1999. Applied for GC in 2003. During those times, the labor certification took 3-4 years. My labor didn't get approved until 2006. But, I had moved on to a different employer just a month prior. Because I couldn't apply for I-140, I couldn't carry my original priority date. With my new employer, due to a lawyer mistake, my first PERM of Nov 2006 was rejected. Then second perm of Jul 2007 was approved, but didn't get approved in time to make the July 2007 floodgates. I have waited since then and finally filed I-485 in Nov 2011. Now, waiting for GC. We all go through wait. For some it is painful especially employers aren't supportive. For me, my employers are extremely supportive. So, the wait is less painful. During this wait, I also got a second Master's degree.

I'd say life is short. Make best use of it.

[Paru4u]

After my graduation, I had a plan to pursue my higher studies in abroad and people advised me to choose Australia, they quoted that its a point of boundless opportunities. And has always remained among the top destinations for higher studies.
But then due to some personal reason , I had to give up on this idea and pursued my higher studies here itself.

[delguy]

I know some very talented folks who went to Australia after working in USA and didnt came back. They bought himes there and got settled. Some of these have priority dates kn 2006/2007 and could get GCs if they want. So, I would assume that Australia is good to settle otherwise they would have returned. They can easily come back to USA anytime as their skills are in niche tech area and in high demand but they chose not to. Considering the uncertainity on H1Bs, specially after all these RFEs etc that are now being sent, PPs halted for extensions, itnis better to move if your PD is not going to br current in next few years, and if you get a chance.