the bullet, with regard to visas, i can't really help you with information there. I am lucky enough to have an american mother, so i have dual citizenship. That's how i am able to live and work here.
I have heard through the grapevine that sometimes employers can organise visas and maybe even long term work permits, but can't really say much, i'm not entirely sure. Sounds like your employer will be able to work something out.
Unfortunately, based on our aussie ratings the faa will issue you with a restricted commercial--at least that's what they did for me, i'm not sure if they are still doing that. It's basicly useless--see my former post.
I haven't found any way around having to sit both the theory exams and doing the flight tests for their ratings. It's a real pain, but there's no way around it i can see. You will have to fork out some cash, no doubt, so be prepared--unless you can organise something with your employer. By the sounds of it they realise you don't have your american ratings, so maybe they would be prepared to help you in that regard.
Cheers, abroad
