Updates on Companies in Pakistan, Sponsoring H-1B Visa

 

Very recently I get to know that Systems (Pvt.) Ltd. is also sponsoring H-1B Visas. They have offices in Karachi and Lahore:

Head Office
Chamber of Commerce Building, 11 Sharae Aiwane Tijarat, Lahore, Pakistan

Karachi Office
E-5, Central Commercial Area, Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi, Pakistan

The information that I got is that they have sponsored quite a lot of candidates in recent years and in fact laud themselves as being the front runner in H-1B sponsorships as far as the counts are concern.

Their US front is Visionet Systems - http://www.visionetsystems.com

So, I’ve updated the original post and if you guys have information of other companies in Pakistan who are sponsoring H-1Bs, please let me know. Drop me an email or a comment on any of these posts and I’ll update the relevant posts. Thanks!

Receiving and Accepting the Offer from H-1B Work Visa Sponsor

 

This post is a part of series of posts that makes up “The Complete Process Trail for H-1B Work Visa”.

Once you clear the technical interview and are shortlisted by the H-1B Work Visa Sponsor, your second and last interview will be scheduled with the HR/Management. This interview serves a mean to interact with the management/HR of the company and sort of an introductory knowledge session about what company is all about, their vision, mission , future roadmaps etc.. It is very rare that a candidate who qualifies the technical interview, got rejected because of the evaluation results from his management/HR interview.

Next, the Sponsor will extend an offer to you verbally, which details your role, job description, salary, benefits, etc.. If you agree or after final negotiations, they will send you an Official Offer Letter on company’s letter head, which will be a proof of employment for you throughout your H-1B Work Visa processing.

Make sue you discuss and have a clear understanding on all of the following before accepting the offer:

1. Contract Type – Consultant or Employment
2. Sponsor’s % and your % in case of Consultant Contract OR per month Salary in case of Employment Contract
3. General idea of rates/salaries in prevailing market
4. General idea of Tax Deductions & your Take Home Salary

H-1B Work Visa Sponsors and their Selection Process / Criteria

 

This post is First of a series of posts that makes up “The Complete Process Trail for H-1B Work Visa”.

How to find H-1B Work Visa Sponsors?

So how you will find an H-1B Sponsor who sponsor candidates with similar expertise and skill sets as yours? There are different ways in which H-1B Sponsors float sponsorship opportunities in the market.

1. Join Local Office for some duration  – Some sponsors publish their local job vacancies with H-1B sponsorship as an “added” advantage. So once you are selected, you will have to join their local office for a year or more (depending upon your specific case) and thereafter they’ll process your H-1B. Also, some sponsors tie the processing of H-1B sponsorship with your performance in their local office, so it is not necessary that once you joined their local office, you are also selected for the sponsorship as well.
   
   So, in order to find such sponsors, refer to my post “Companies who Sponsor H-1B Work Visa for USA in Pakistan” and follow Job Opportunities from these companies on:
   
   Rozee.pk
   pak-jobs-IT
   Company’s own website
   
2. Trusted References Only – Some sponsors do not float their ads directly in the local market, they work through their existing established local trusted references. So, in this case, you have to leverage upon the professional and social circle you are in. In my opinion, I could be wrong, professional networks like LinkedIn.com or Rozee.pk might help in this case. Because your complete professional profile is visible to your contacts and they can see if you are a good fit for the opportunity or not.

Selection and Interview Process

In first case above, the selection process is pretty much the same as with any other selection process for local Job Opportunities. Therefore, I’ll now discuss the second case in detail below.

If an H-1B sponsor is interested in your profile, they will schedule your technical interview. The interview duration will be 30 to 60 minutes in which you will be evaluated in following technical and non-technical areas:

1. Technology (Java/.Net/C++/etc)
1. Hashing
2. Serialization
3. Collections
4. Multi Threading / Concurrent Programming
5. Network Programming
6. JDBC
7. Exception Handling
8. etc.
2. OOP
3. Frameworks
1. IoC (Spring, etc.)
2. MVC Frameworks (Spring WebMVC, Struts 1/2, etc.)
3. ORM Frameworks (n/Hibernate, etc)
4. Web Services (REST, SOAP)
4. Databases
1. SQL
1. Joins
2. Sub Queries
3. Views
4. Stored Procedures / Functions
5. Triggers
6. Query Performance & Optimization
2. Transactions & Locking
3. Big Data Handling concepts like Sharding and Partitioning
4. High Availability concepts like Clustering, Replication, etc..
5. Problem Solving – Scenario based
6. Communication
1. Command over English Language
2. Clarity of Thoughts
3. Confidence
4. Attitude
5. Mental Presence and Attentiveness
6. Punctuality

Besides above, you can be asked about any thing that you have written in your resume/cv.

As far as interview scheduling is concern, you can either receive an email or a phone call confirming your interview time and date. They will also let you know how your interview will be taken i.e. it could be over:

1. Skype
2. Your landline or Mobile phone
3. Goto Meeting Session
4. etc.

The interview could be Audio only (most probably) or both Audio and Video. Some important tips for the interview are as follows:

1. Make sure you are online/ready 5 minutes before your scheduled time. Save yourself from the embarrassment of last minute hiccups.
2. Make sure you are in a safe and sound place, where you can attend your interview peacefully with out kind of interruptions.
3. If you are giving interview on Mobile Phone, make sure it is fully charged.
4. If you are giving interview on Skype or Goto Meeting or any online audio/video service, make sure your Mic/Speakers/WebCam/etc. are all working correctly. Better make test calls to make sure every thing is fine.
5. Speak naturally with a medium pace (not too fast, not too slow) and slightly louder than normal voice.
6. Avoid short answers and very long explanations. Be specific with enough details to satisfy the interviewer.
7. Be prepared for the time when they ask you “if you any questions for us?”, keep a couple or more questions handy for the that time.

You’ll probably be notified within a week about the result of your interview and whether you are shortlisted or not. You will either receive an email (most probably) or a phone call.

In my next post, I will discuss what will happen once you pass the scheduled interview and make it to the shortlisted candidate?

H-1B Work Visa–Recent Trends–Salary or Compensation

 

Salary brackets for fresh H-1B Candidates, who do not have any work experience in USA before, are as follows:

Developer (0 – 5 years of experience)
US$ 3,500 – 5,500 per month (Employment Contract)
OR
US$ 40 – 55 per hour (Consultant Contract)

Senior/Lead Developer (6+ years of experience)
US$ 5,500 – 7,000 per month (Employment Contract)
OR
US$ 55 – 80 per hour (Consultant Contract)

Why there’s a difference between Employment and Consultant Contract? please refer to my previous post which discuss the topic in detail.

In order to come up with a realistic estimate of your salary, you should consider following factors:

1. State & City/Area – Each state has a slightly different salary scale because they differ with others on following:
   1. Taxation Laws – Some tax more while others tax less
   2. Economic Activity – Some are Hub of economic activity while others are not
   3. Cost of Living – Some are cheaper while others are expensive
2. Client Profile – Whether your Client is a small or medium or large Enterprise OR it’s a fresh Start-up company (low funding or high funding?)
3. Quality of your Experience – Your foreign experience counts when you have worked for companies that have International presence of at-least presence in USA. On the other hand, if you have worked for companies who are unknown in USA market than you might not be able to leverage upon your experience.
4. Time of Entry – This is also important as to when you enter the USA job market. Whether it is a hiring season or not. Whether supply is adequate or there’s a high demand.
5. First Impression – The most important factor, if you were able to market yourself effectively in your interview/test/meeting there’s a bright chance that you can tip the scale in your favor.

H-1B Work Visa USA–Recent Trends–Candidate Profile/Skills

 

So what kind of candidate profiles/skills, H1-B sponsor companies are interested in? I’ve depicted the most recent visible trends (in the last 3 or 4 years?) as follows:

Technology

1. Java Platform ~ 70%- 80%

2. .Net Platform ~ 15% - 20%

3. Others ~ 1% - 5% (Oracle DBA/Functional/Technical, SAP, etc.)

 

Job Role

Software Engineers / Senior Software Engineers / Software Developers / Team Leads / Technical Leads etc.

In short, they are interested in people who do “LESS TALK & MORE WORK” and their definition of “WORK is CODING”. A word of caution for you; if you have highlighted your Management experience and skills in your resume or cv, chances are that you will not make it to the shortlisted candidates.

Why is that so? my investigation suggests that there are numerous factors involved. First, “Demand leads the way” i.e. technical resources who are hands-on and can be productive from the very first day are actually in great demand in USA. But, don’t get me wrong, other job roles also have a demand, like:

Product Managers, Program Managers, Project Managers, Project Coordinators, Scrum Masters and other PMO related roles.

QA Managers, QA Engineers, Senior QA Engineers, Testers, QA Automation Engineers, QA Leads and other QA related roles.

But, typically those who are pulling resources from Pakistan or India or China, are bent on hard-core developers.

Second, developers rate are usually higher and hence better profit margin.

Third, communication is often a problem area with majority of Pakistani or Indian or Chinese resources and effective communication is a key requirement for any managerial or senior level position.

How to Purchase or Buy an H-1B Work Visa?

 

You can not. It’s ILLEGAL!

If any company or individual lure you into selling or arranging an H-1B Work Visa “deal” – STAY AWAY FROM THEM. Never, ever engage in these illegal activities and inform USCIS about any such scams.

Let me share with one such scam that I came to know and which was also mentioned by one of our readers. Following is the actual extract from FBI website (see actual link at the end)

Clinton Men Sentenced to Prison for Visa Fraud, Forfeit Illicit Proceeds

U.S. Attorney’s Office April 20, 2011

• Southern District of Iowa (515) 473-9300

DAVENPORT, IA—On April 20, 2011, Fazal Mehmood, also known as Fazal Mehmood Awan, 51, and Vineet Maheshwari, 37, were sentenced today in federal court in Davenport for conspiracy to commit visa fraud and making false statements to the United States and for engaging in monetary transactions in criminally derived property. The sentencing hearing was held before the Honorable John A. Jarvey, Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. Judge Jarvey imposed a sentence of 40 months in federal prison on each count as to both defendants to run concurrently to be followed by three years of supervised release should the defendant be allowed to remain in the United States. During the sentencing hearing, Defendant Fazal Mehmood agreed to be deported to Pakistan.

The defendants, originally from Pakistan and India, respectively, pled guilty in April of 2010 to charges that they conspired, through Worldwide Software Services, Inc., headquartered in Clinton, to provide numerous false documents to the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security, sponsoring foreign workers under the H-1B visa program. They also plead guilty to engaging in a monetary transaction of more than $10,000 and which money was criminally derived from the fraud. In a separate agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office, the defendants conceded the conspiracy involved more than 100 false documents and that each had an aggravated role in the offenses.

In addition to the prison sentences the judge ordered the defendants to forfeit more than $1 million in proceeds of the visa fraud. Judge Jarvey found that the fraud was “long-standing” and “sophisticated” and he commended the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Office of Inspector General - Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General, for their thorough investigation.

This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. The case was investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security - Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Office of Inspector General - Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigations, and the Social Security Administration - Office of Inspector General and the Clinton Police Department.

FBI Website Link of the Story - http://www.fbi.gov/omaha/press-releases/2011/clinton-men-sentenced-to-prison-for-visa-fraud-forfeit-illicit-proceeds

News reported by Clinton’s Local Newspaper - http://clintonherald.com/local/x211861615/FBI-arrests-2-Clinton-men?keyword=leadpicturestory

Companies who sponsor H-1B Work Visa for USA in Pakistan

 

One of the most frequently asked question I encounter is, which companies (local or foreign) are sponsoring H-1B Visa’s in Pakistan? I’m listing down a number of IT & IT Enabled Services (ITES) companies who are known to have sponsored candidates from Pakistan in past 5 years or more. And, I personally know and have met the candidates from these companies (except one).

Company in USA	Local Representation in Pakistan
Macrosoft Inc. 2 Sylvan Way 3rd Floor Parsippany, NJ 07054 http://www.macrosoftinc.com/	Macrosoft Pakistan (SMC-PVT) Limited 42-A, Abu Bakar Block, New Garden Town, Lahore, Pakistan. http://www.macrosoftpakistan.com
Netpace Inc. 12657 Alcosta Blvd. Suite 410 San Ramon, CA 9458 http://www.netpace.com	Netpace Systems (Pvt) Ltd 1003-4, Park Avenue, Shara-e-Faisal, Karachi 75400, Pakistan. http://www.netpace.com
NetProSys Inc./ Progressive Systems (They seems to be out of operations by this name. And, unconfirmed news is that they have been acquired and/or re-branded by/as RaaWee, Inc. (see below)
RaaWee Inc. Eastside Atrium, 800 E. Campbell Rd, Suite 201, Richardson, TX 75081 http://raawee.com	Sidat Hyder Morshed Associates (Pvt) Ltd Beaumont Plaza, Beaumont Road Karachi 75530, Pakistan http://www.sidathyder.com.pk
NorthStar Technologies Inc. 161 Kimball Bridge Road Suite #200 Alpharetta, GA 30009 http://www.globalnorthstar.com	Sibisoft (Pvt.) Ltd. National IT Park Suite # 1214, Caesars Tower Shahrah-e-Faisal Karachi - 74400, Pakistan http://www.sibisoft.com
360training.com, Inc. 13801 N. Mo-Pac, Suite 100 Austin, Texas 78727 http://www.360training.com	Softech Corporation (Pvt) Ltd. # 502, 5th Floor, Anum Empire Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi, Pakistan http://www.360training.com

Besides the ones mentioned above, there are other ITES companies that have presence in Pakistan and are on the record to have sponsor H-1B visas. However, it might be possible that the actual candidates are sponsored from other countries (where they also have presence besides USA and Pakistan). I’m not personally, or through my contacts, aware of any sponsorship cases by these companies:

Company in USA	Local Representation in Pakistan
Mentor Graphics Corporation 8005 SW Boeckman Road Wilsonville, OR 97070 http://www.mentor.com	Mentor Graphics (Pakistan) Development (Pvt) Ltd Floors # 5-6-7-8th, Ali Tower 105 B2 MM Alam Road Gulberg III Lahore, Pakistan 54660 http://www.mentor.com
TRG
NetSol IR
Mixit
Primatics Financials

In the end, there are companies other than ITES sector that are also on the records to have sponsor H-1B visas:

• National Bank of Pakistan
• Pakistan Link
• Pakistan Publications Inc
• Taj Software Systems Corporation (Indian company, but have known to run ads for Pakistani candidates in Pakistan as well)