Irish university graduates unhappy with the year-long J1 visa

Couldnt agree more. I think the worst thing about the whole thing is the lack of information to young people about how to stay in the US after the 1 year visa expires. For instant If you go at the beginning of the year and dont find a job and get sponsored in time for the H1B opening date of April 1 your in trouble. The visas can run out very quickly. They ran out this year in June and many people manage to find the right job-but by the time they do the H1Bs are all gone and they have to go home when their J1 visas run out. This has happened to me and I had to go home after my 12 months after going to all the bother of getting set up in San Francisco. 12 months is not enough!! Students and graduates should be told to go between October 1st and Christmas to give themselves the best possible chance to get sponsored. April 1st-H1B application process opens (80000 per year are issued. These visa could go in 2 weeks or could last 6-7 months theres no way of knowing. October 1st- The earliest date with which you can activate your H1B visa. Therefore if you miss this window the first time you will have to go home or else stay illegally (which is a tough road to go down).

The kids are disillusioned because they were sold an illusion, just like the Yanks who go to Ireland expecting to see dancing leprechauns. Jobs are scarce and employers are able to be picky. You may know the naunces of 16th century Italian verse, but that does not qualify you to trade long bonds on Wall Street. The hospitality industry is one area where the J-1's have a natural advantage--no long term committment, youth & energy are needed and, once you get away from the NYC-Boston arc, a bit of an Irish accent is considered charming.

olovely: What did I miss?

greensod, may you only ever encounter the harsh, one-sided judgmental meanness and petty-mindedness you dish out to others from now until you learn.

Hop right back on the plane,back to the land of milk and honey.Lazy bums.One states he does not have enough time to travel,can you believe that.These are the same crowd that think they are too good to work in Ireland,so they go to America and start complaining.In America there is one very important requirement,its called work.That means working at any job that you may be lucky to get.No wonder Ireland is in a state of shambles,with only the old people supporting lazy bums like these.I guess thats what you get after 80 years of RULE under the Free staters. Welcome to the real world.Now ,grow up,go home,look around and pay your dues.WORK.

Hope they have their return tickets!