Asking if you are a "US Citizen or Permanent Resident" or visa situation (H1-B, etc...) is a perfectly fine question to be asked over the phone by a recruiter or screener to a candidate. But it's lame if they waited for you to show up at the onsite interview to ask that.
Could you explain more why this question matters? I thought permanent residents and citizens are both authorized to work. There was otherwise no question about visa status. I've also only been asked this once and I've been talking to recruiters pretty frequently lately.
Correct. But I think you are misinterpreting the question. They don't care if you are green card instead of US citizen. They just want to make sure you are EITHER of those two. You can simply say "yes" without more details if that's the case.
The conversation will either go like this
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: YES
Interviewer: Thanks.
Or it will go like this:
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: No, but I do have an H1-B that is still valid for 3 more years, and I'll need to apply for green card status before the end of that period.
Interviewer: Thanks. Let's discuss that process some more.
Or perhaps this:
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: No, I'm currently on an L1 visa from my current company, and will need H1-B or similar sponsorship to work here.
Interviewer: Thanks. Since we are looking to hire for this position immediately, we may not be able to proceed.
Asking if you are a "US Citizen or Permanent Resident" or visa situation (H1-B, etc...) is a perfectly fine question to be asked over the phone by a recruiter or screener to a candidate. But it's lame if they waited for you to show up at the onsite interview to ask that.
Could you explain more why this question matters? I thought permanent residents and citizens are both authorized to work. There was otherwise no question about visa status. I've also only been asked this once and I've been talking to recruiters pretty frequently lately.
Correct. But I think you are misinterpreting the question. They don't care if you are green card instead of US citizen. They just want to make sure you are EITHER of those two. You can simply say "yes" without more details if that's the case.
The conversation will either go like this
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: YES
Interviewer: Thanks.
Or it will go like this:
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: No, but I do have an H1-B that is still valid for 3 more years, and I'll need to apply for green card status before the end of that period.
Interviewer: Thanks. Let's discuss that process some more.
Or perhaps this:
Interviewer: "Are you a US Citizen or permanent resident with a green card?"
You: No, I'm currently on an L1 visa from my current company, and will need H1-B or similar sponsorship to work here.
Interviewer: Thanks. Since we are looking to hire for this position immediately, we may not be able to proceed.
This makes sense! Thank you!