Don't relocate with EPAM to US
Pros
Good and respectful working environment in Saint-Petersburg. Also, there is plenty of time to learn new technologies while you are waiting for the next project.
Cons
You may stack in an actually boring project with legacy code and no career opportunities for a year or so. I have joined EPAM as part of L1B program with an option to relocate to the USA after 1 year. I was very enthusiastic about it. But in the process, I found out that it is mostly a con trick to make put you in a very dependant and underpaid position in the USA. First of all, after relocation, a specialist will be seriously underpaid (for me it was at least $30-40k a year). Next, said specialist will be completely dependant on his employer, cause in any situation he may be kicked out of company and country. I knew that, but in the process, I found out that EPAM doesn't treat such employees with respect. And though I never actually relocated, I have noticed such an attitude even during the process of visa preparation. I was continuously lied to about timelines, the number of available projects in the USA was exaggerated, I was never told about important details of work there until I came up with pointed questions. Managers have made some serious errors during the visa process, which turned out to be a major stress for me and my wife, and they haven't shown any remorse or concern about it. After relocation, the only hope of an employee is to get GreenCard as soon as possible (3-5 years now), because it is the only way to become independent of EPAM and have a chance to get normal attitude and normal salary. In light of possible future changes in GreenCard rules, the wait time for it can significantly increase and an employee may be stuck in such a 'slave' position for more than 5 years.
