ok, here's the situation...

I have a master's degree and am currently under OPT till August. I recently got a job offer from a State Department, but when i went in to do the paperworks, i found out that they did not sponsor H1-B visas. :(

now, is it anyway possible for me to get H1-B status in some other way? are there any employment agencies who 'just' sponsor the H1-B (without giving you the job) for a fee? is there any other visa status except H1-B that'd allow me to work in that job?

some expert opinions and suggestions from fellow sajha dwellers whould be most welcome.

To the best of my knowledge (and being on H1B at one point of time), the H1B is tied to the company you work for because they mention it on the petition as well as the actual visa. So you need to be sponsored by the company you work for. The only time it is different is when you are sponsored by consulting firms who contract you out to other companies. For a full time job, you need to be sponsored by the actual company you work for.

Email me and I have an idea that may possibly help you out. We can discuss further details

What were you doing so long. dont you know there is limited H1 qouta available. You got to be proactive. Non of the gov body sponsors working visa unles you are super genious and can contribute something to USA defence project.

If you have already cleared the interview and signed and the cotract, I can help you to get H1. Since your are US graduate, there is still some qputa left out.Even you miss this chance, I might be able to help you out to get another project and file H1.Please note that I am not runing consulting company,but with the contact, I can help you to get through this situation. More over corporate world works in network, so try developing professional network rather than hanging out with unproductive crowd.

write me in breif about your expertise. I presumed you are in IT.

Thanks

"is it anyway possible for me to get H1-B status in some other way? are there any employment agencies who 'just' sponsor the H1-B (without giving you the job) for a fee?"
Yes... there are so many employment agencies that do this kind of stuffs. But this is illegal and risky.

It is illegal because according to INS Rule you should work for only that company who sponsors your H1b. you must have to reapply for new a H1B visa if you change the job. even promotion or change of job duties with in the same company requires amendment notice to INS.

L1 is another visa that allows you to legally work in USA.

usofa
it is very possible that you can have H1 sponsored from one firm. There are lot of places that do that. But the catch is the pay from ur job has to go to the sponsoring company and they would have to process it.
Does this make sense to you?
email me if you need more explanation and I can guide..

I'm not aware of any US work visa that is not tied to the employer. In fact, it's the employer who will have to file the visa petition for you.

But if the State Department wants to hire you, why not ask them to give you a green card in the first place! I think they do that for certain kinds of specialty jobs.

thapap... I know what you mean ....you mean working as a consultant right.....
but in Bluebus case this is not possible since he is an employee of a state department. it means that state department must has to file his H1b. the only possible option for bluebus to work in state department is to work as a consultant (contract).

thanks everyone for the little ' brainstorming' here. i truely appreciate each and every comment. NYC dweller and superuser, please check your emails.

thanks usofa for the comments. but i see a lot of agencies, esp. Indians in IT field, doing this kinda thing. the H1 stays under the agency, but the employee gets passed on from one job to the other. so that is illegal? i've had quite a few friends who got job that way. i looked up L1 and i think its not possible for me under the current situation.

thapab, so such 'agencies' wiil be able to get me a H1 visa too, since the main employer here cannot process any paperworks for H1. will they still take a part of the pay from the job that they didnt help me find?

and i wish they gave me a green card!! H1 ta sponsor nagarne haru le ke ko green card dela ra. tara i guess its worth a try. asking never hurt anyone.:)

keep the suggestions coming. thanks.