Snake,
Here's what I've experienced in the last 10 years I've been in the U.S., last 4 actually earning my living instructing:
1. There's a constant struggle with maintaining your immigration status. You absolutely HAVE to be on top of current immigration laws, expiration dates, what you can and can't do with a given visa/status.
2. EVERYTHING is "rather" slow with USCIS. "Lesser" visas, (F, J-visa etc., for students) through flight schools etc. can be obtained in few months, BUT they typically carry strict limitations on where and how long you can work (1 year limit typical). H-1 category offers lengthier stay (up to 6 years), BUT the application process is much more complicated: employer needs to prove to the Dept.of Labor through labor certification that you are getting paid "prevailing wage" and that your background/education fits the requirements of "specialty occupation" (4-year/Bachelor's degree or more, or 5 yrs+ work experience or combination). And the employer has to pay an application fee of ~$1,300 (excluding any attorney's fees); takes 6-10 mos to process, if you manage to file the petition before the quota for the year is filled...
3. If you are planning a career in the U.S. as a pilot, eventually you will have to apply for a green card = even longer wait, even more money spent (green card application + plus attorney = $6,000 and up). At the moment there's just too many pilots wanting to fly that shiny CRJ or instruct in the Seminole for $19k/yr, thus eliminating the primary criteria for the green card "employer unable to find a U.S. citizen to do the job, needed to hire a foreigner..." . Currently the wait could be as long as
8-10 years before an immigrant-wanna-be sees any other color card in their wallet except the colors of maxed out Master's, AX's, VISA's.
Hate to be the party-pooper but the current immigration situtation in the States just sucketh. Yes, it's the land of opportunity for many, but the good ol' "well if you just work hard, everything is possible" attitude seems to require a heck of a lot of luck as a sidedish in order for a foreigner to make it here as a pilot.
I guess I took the wrong ship over the pond. Should've married an American. Not.
-T-