I doubt FAANG is as benevolent as you make it to be, sure you can make a request but I don't believe it would be approved, it all depends on your skillset and if it makes business sense, if you're an executive or one of those fellow or distinguished engineers for sure they'll fork out a GC, but if you're a common garden variety senior engineer, my guess is that you'll end up waiting like the rest of the pack.
- One more thing though, even IF a company sponsored you it is ultimately up to the US government to determine if you are worthy to get a GC. A $3T company like Apple cannot guarantee you a GC in the US, nor can it accelerate the process of getting one, which means you still have to fall in line with the other GC applicants no cutting in.
Spousal GC tends to be the fastest, they take about 14-18 mos. from start of application to GC.
Employment GC takes about 18-24mos from the day you start the PERM application, and assuming you paid the priority I-140.
I am ROW. I'm keeping my Canadian PR, and getting a Canadian citizenship first for the following reasons:
(1) I am NOT willing to take the risk of being forced to return to my home country. I don't like the idea of applying to the US, only declining at the very end because a company would only do an H1B or maybe hire me locally in Canada and transfer me over to the US via L1. The salary is immaterial at this point, even if they offer me something like 400K I'll still decline it, because the chance of being kicked out of the US would be very very real on a temporary VISA - just look at the number of people with H1Bs that got laid-off recently from big companies like Amazon and Facebook, I don't want to end up like those people struggling to find a sponsor in the short 60 day period.
(2) Getting a direct GC is very difficult even for ROW, statistically people who are outside the US has a 60% chance of being approved for a GC versus those who apply inside at 95% - assuming of course, all requirements are satisfied i.e. legal status, fraud checks, etc., that said most companies prefer going through an H1B or L1 route to bring people in. As described above, I'm not one of those executives, or someone with an extremely unique skillset that would warrant a direct GC sponsorship, so what would likely happen is that they'll keep me under temporary permit until a business case appears that would make sponsoring me for a GC worth it. I'm not being pessimistic, just realistic.
From the news I see, and stories I've heard, I feel that's how things are going to work, and as I previously said I will not go back to my home country.
(3) I want the Canadian passport, since being able to travel without stringent VISA requirements is something I'm looking forward to. It's not just about making money, it's about spending it too.
(4) I want my options, the US is known for less positive things like mass shootings, crime and even organized shoplifting (Walmart closed in Portland because a lot of people just come in, get stuff and get out without paying), being able to just drive north and settle there is always welcome. It's unquestionable that the US makes more money and has better careers, the same way it's unquestionable that Canada is more peaceful and has less crime.
So I'll go south and try to make $$$, and try to settle there, then if there are too many bullets going over my head OR I fail to get a GC, I'll just drive up north - hopefully I'll have enough money for a home downpayment when that happens though.
