Consulting Consulting
Consulting Finance General
Login Sign up for free Sign up for free
Consulting Finance General
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Sign up for free
Login
Community
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Coaching
Coaches
Coaching Packages
Consulting Q&A
Resources
Case Interview Basics
Case Library
AI Casebot
Tests & Guides
Mental Math Tool
Stress Questions
Drills
Video Tutorials
Brainteaser
Career
Employers
Career Events
Consulting Jobs
Consulting Blog
Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Meeting Board
Consulting Q&A
Interview Partner
Premium Membership
Back to overview
Cuan
on Jan 25, 2024
USA
I want to receive updates regarding this question via email.

What large consultancy firms in the USA will accept me with an Irish passport? (I.e which ones are open to work visa sponsorship)

I am an Irish passport holder and I have just completed my articles to become a chartered accountant and I am enrolled to write CFA level 3. I am looking for a consulting job in the USA and I just wanted to know before I apply which firms are open to work visa sponsorship? I was hoping to apply to BCG specifically but I am open to any firm and location.

8
2.2k
50
Write an answer
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
Brad
Coach
on Jan 26, 2024
Expert coach | Head of recruiting for Bain | 8+ years interviewing | Free intro call

Hi there,

 

Good question.

 

Unfortunately the only sponsored visa (TN) for consultants applies to those in NAFTA, and the only countries with rights to work in the US (that I’m aware of) are Canada and Australia.

 

You’re best bet is to go work for a local office, then transfer over. Even then, it’s likely to be bounded by a 6 month term.

 

One other thing – I note you’re writing your CFA 3. Hope its going well, I hear its hard. I hope I’m not butting into your business here but I often hear of ppl doing the CFA/CPA/… thinking that it will help their MBB application. Unfortunately it doesn’t contribute much. Yes, its hard. Yes, it requires discipline. But it doesn’t really shine through or have the same weight as tier-1 uni * hard subject * 4.0 GPA. Just thought I’d mention that as you think about your allocaiton of time and effort. Of course, you might be doing it for other reasons in which case good on you (and I’ll be quiet now ?).

 

All the best, 

15
Contact coach
1 comment
Anonymous A
on Jan 27, 2024
L1A/L1B transfers require mandatory 12 months in another office outside USA. Once you receive the visa, you can move instantly unlike with an H1B visa.

The H1B visa cap is always oversubscribed within the first few weeks after the initial file date, and applicants usually end up being chosen by lottery. So if there are 65,000 visas, and there are 128,000 applicants, you get chosen by lottery and everyone else's application is sent back.

The last time, the H1B visa cap wasn't filled immediately was after the 2008 sub prime crash.
Ian
Coach
on Jan 26, 2024
Top US BCG / MBB Coach - 5,000 sessions |Tech, Platinion, Big 4 | 9/9 personal interviews passed | 95% candidate success

Hi Cuan,

The honest answer is that without a citizenship/working rights, it's going to be hard to get work in the US. 

Consider applying within Europe where you have working rights. IF your networking in the US indicates to you that a specific firm is willing to sponsor, then go with it! But only networking will reveal this to you.

Good luck to you!

14
Contact coach
0 comments
Yuval
Coach
on Jan 26, 2024
free 30 min consultation call | 1st try offer from BCG and McK | BCG Associate | 100+ hours of coaching sessions

Hey Cuan,

Building on previous answers, considering the fact the talent pool for consulting is so competitive, it is unlikely a firm will sponsor your visa, as there are so many great talents who do not require this.

Other than networking I would say your best best is a graduate degree like an MBA or another MA, as you do get a working visa for the first years post graduation (I believe it’s 2 years with an option to extend another year, but please verify this). 

I do know people that were able to get sponsored in other sectors like Tech, so another option would be to seek out sponsorship from a company in other sectors and then transition into consulting at a later stage.

 

Hope this helps, feel free to reach for any other questions,

Yuval

11
Contact coach
2 comments
Anonymous
on Jan 27, 2024
I don't think it's technically a visa. It's OPT optional practical training. It's like 2 years for Non-STEM. I think for STEM, this can be extended by 3 years, so you get a few extra shots at transferring to the H1B, if you win the lottery. If you graduate with a Masters, you have a slightly increase chance of winning the lottery, as you can get entered into a priority pool, then a general pool.

The only other way to get a visa is an O visa, but you need to be like a Nobel Laureate, or world leading expert/researcher, with published work etc...
Yuval
Coach
on Jan 27, 2024
free 30 min consultation call | 1st try offer from BCG and McK | BCG Associate | 100+ hours of coaching sessions
Yeah, I’m definitely not an expert on the technicalities of this, but I do know studying a masters/MBA in the US gives you a better chance of getting a work permit after graduating.
Cristian
Coach
on Jan 26, 2024
#1 Rated McKinsey Coach | Top MBB Coach | Verifiable success rates

Hi Cuan, 

Most of the big ones. 

VISA sponsorship conditions do change quite often based also on the appetite of these firms to hire. 

The only way to find out for sure is to network. 

So aim to find Irish consultants who are now in the US (via LinkedIn) and get an understanding of how they navigated this move. Then, find recruiters from your target firms and ask them as well. 

Sharing here two articles on how to do this:

  • Expert Guide: How To Handle Networking Calls and Get Referrals
  • Expert Guide: How To Get Referrals Via LinkedIn? 


Best,
Cristian

9
Contact coach
0 comments
Dennis
Coach
on Jan 29, 2024
Roland Berger|Project Manager and Recruiter|7+ years of consulting experience in USA and Europe

Hi there,

Roland Berger in the US has been open to sponsoring visas. They are much smaller in the US than in Europe based on brand recognition so this was a way to boost recruiting. There are certain requirements and limitations around that of course but just wanted to put that on your radar. 

I also know that LEK in the US was at least interviewing candidates who did not have prior working permit for the US.

Not sure about all of the other consulting firms. It is true though that it is much easier to transfer to the US internally after having worked for the same company elsewhere for a while.

Best of luck

9
Contact coach
0 comments
Pedro
Coach
on Mar 31, 2024
Bain | EY-Parthenon | Former Principal | 1.5h session | 30% discount 1st session

1. Most will sponsor Visas

2. However, they'll only sponsor if there's a strong reason for that.

9
Contact coach
0 comments
Florian
Coach
edited on Jan 26, 2024
1400 5-star reviews across platforms | 600+ offers | Highest-rated case book on Amazon | Uni lecturer in US, Asia, EU

Hi Cuan,

I think without any specific ties to the US, it would be very difficult at the moment, given the fact that the overall market has slowed down a lot.

I'd try to get hired in Ireland, then make the move internally within 1-2 years.

All the best,

Florian

7
Contact coach
0 comments
Ashwin
Coach
on Jan 26, 2024
Bain Senior Manager , Deloitte Director| 200+ MBB Offers | INSEAD

Considering the competition it could be tough. However, i think the best bet will be Big 4 supported strategy verticals such as Monitor Deloitte, Strategy& as they have more leverage to provide visa sponsorship due to their combined scale relative to MBBs 

Thanks

Ashwin 

6
Contact coach
1 comment
Anonymous
on Jan 27, 2024
Typically most of these firms including Fortune 500, consulting, outsourcing firms, use Fragomen to take care of all their immigration stuff from a immigration perspective. They have all the necessary paperwork from the employer side to do it, it's usually boils down to whether the company is willing and can justify the cost. This includes immigration (Fragoman), tax consulting (Big4), relocation (Cartus), benefits (expat healthcare), etc. This was an ongoing cost, I would guess over my 7 years, moving me to USA and back between 2005-2012 would have easily cost $100,000+ at the time.
Similar Questions
Consulting
BCG specificity vs other MBBs
on Jun 26, 2024
Global
6
1.4k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 9+ years consulting, 9+ years coaching and 8+ years interviewing experience
28
6 Answers
1.4k Views
+3
Consulting
How did you build and keep relationships at your firm ?
on Aug 10, 2024
Global
4
800+
Top answer by
Achal
Coach
How to Break Into MBB 101: Mastering the Interview (Ex-McKinsey EM with 5+ years of consulting interviewing experience)
34
4 Answers
800+ Views
+1
Top Answer by
Brad
Coach
Expert coach | Head of recruiting for Bain | 8+ years interviewing | Free intro call
To coach profile
Related Article
BCG Case Interview Guide
Are you facing a BCG case interview? We have the ultimate preparation guide for you!
View article
Related Case
Expert case by
Ian
MBB - Climate Change Operations
5.0
3.1k times solved
Intermediate
Candidate-led
Open case
Similar Questions
Consulting
BCG specificity vs other MBBs
on Jun 26, 2024
28
6
1.4k
Consulting
How did you build and keep relationships at your firm ?
on Aug 10, 2024
34
4
800+
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Everything for Your Career
  • Interview Coaching
  • Q&A
  • Interview Partner
  • Mental Math Tool
  • Interview Drills
  • Stress Questions
  • Blog
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Popular in Consulting
  • Case Library
  • Meeting Board
  • Case Partner
  • Case Interview Basics
  • Case Interview
  • Consulting Q&A
Popular in Finance
  • Finance Q&A
  • Interview in Investment Banking
  • Investment Banking Salaries
Consulting and Finance Employers
  • RWE Consulting
  • Whiteshield Advisory
  • All Employers »
About PrepLounge
  • For Companies
  • For Universities
  • For Coaches
  • About Us
  • Career
  • FAQ
© 2012 PrepLounge
Our servers are powered by electricity from renewable sources.
  • Cookies & Privacy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Imprint
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
Questions or Feedback?
Select category
  • Select category
  • General Feedback
  • Case Interview Preparation
  • Coaching
  • Technical Problems
  • Other
Your name
Your email address
Cancel