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US work visa options
Dive into requirements, costs, timelines, benefits, and more to find the perfect visa for your needs.
US work visa: What is it?
Knowledge of the US work visa can, therefore, open several career opportunities. A US work visa is basically a document that allows foreign nationals to stay and work in the country within the stipulated period of time legally. Such visas are very essential to anyone who wishes to start his career in the United States, since these give him a right of working in various settings and different sectors of the economy. Among the most popular ones is the H-1B visa, meant for specific jobs.
Nevertheless, other categories of work visas apart from the H-1B are available to applicants whose job qualifications and situations fit that type. Any individual who wants to work legally in the United States should make a conscious effort to understand the different types of work permits that exist and what each requires.
Who qualifies for a U.S. work visa?
For a US work visa, one generally has to be a foreign national with a job offer from a U.S employer. The eligibility will depend upon the type of US Work Visa one is applying for but here are some common categories:
H-2A visa
For agricultural work. It permits U.S. employers to hire foreign citizens to be in the U.S. for a short time for agriculture.
O-1 visa
This is a visa given to individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field of arts, sciences, education, business, athletics, or the motion picture and television industry.
E-1 visa
This is provided to traders and investors. It allows nationals of treaty countries to work in the U.S. in a business that is engaged in substantial trade or investment.
H-1B visa
This type of visa is meant for professionals in specialized fields, among which can be IT, engineering, medicine, and education. To apply, one needs a job offer for a specialty occupation that requires at least a bachelor's degree.
H-2B visa
This is much like the H-2A, except it's for non-agricultural workers—temporary or seasonal work in hospitality, construction, or landscaping.
L-1 visa
For intra-company transferees, either in a managerial position or with specialized knowledge. This visa allows workers for international companies to transfer to the office located in the U.S.
These are specific requirement visas, and every visa has a different application. Make sure to research the specific eligibility criteria before applying.
Who qualifies for a U.S. work visa?
For a US work visa, one generally has to be a foreign national with a job offer from a U.S employer. The eligibility will depend upon the type of US Work Visa one is applying for but here are some common categories:
H-1B visa
This type of visa is meant for professionals in specialized fields, among which can be IT, engineering, medicine, and education. To apply, one needs a job offer for a specialty occupation that requires at least a bachelor's degree.
H-2A visa
For agricultural work. It permits U.S. employers to hire foreign citizens to be in the U.S. for a short time for agriculture.
H-2B visa
This is much like the H-2A, except it's for non-agricultural workers—temporary or seasonal work in hospitality, construction, or landscaping.
O-1 visa
This is a visa given to individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field of arts, sciences, education, business, athletics, or the motion picture and television industry.
L-1 visa
For intra-company transferees, either in a managerial position or with specialized knowledge. This visa allows workers for international companies to transfer to the office located in the U.S.
E-1 visa
This is provided to traders and investors. It allows nationals of treaty countries to work in the U.S. in a business that is engaged in substantial trade or investment.
These are specific requirement visas, and every visa has a different application. Make sure to research the specific eligibility criteria before applying.
Choose your US work visa
H-1B1 visa
Overview
The H-1B1 visa fast-tracks employment in America for the professionals of Chile and Singapore in areas of work such as technology and finance, with easier processing and fewer requirements.
H-2A visa
Overview
The H-2A visa allows foreign agricultural workers on a temporary basis with the specified countries and helps farmers get skilled laborers for planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops.
O-1 visa
Overview
The O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, or athletics. It invites top professionals to temporarily work in the U.S., bringing their expertise.
L-1 visa
Overview
The L-1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge to their U.S. offices. This visa makes it easier for businesses to expand and operate more efficiently across borders by bringing key personnel to the U.S.
E-1 visa
Overview
The E-1 visa allows individuals from treaty countries to live and work in the U.S. while engaging in substantial trade, perfect for business owners and key employees expanding their operations.
How can I obtain a working visa in the USA?
Getting a work visa in the USA includes several important steps and requirements. Here is a detailed outline to help you work your way through the process:
Secure a job offer in the U.S.
To qualify for a work visa, you must first secure a job offer from a US employer. The employer will need to provide several essential documents before you can begin your visa application process.
Approved USCIS Petition
Once you receive a job offer, your employer must submit a Petition for a Non-immigrant Worker (Form I-129) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With this approved petition, you can apply for your work visa because it is the main document necessary to continue.
Labor certification approval by the Department of Labor (DOL)
For those work visas like the H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, and H-2B, your employer needs a labor certification from the DOL, which this certificate will make sure to be in line with not injuring U.S. employee wage and employment conditions.
Application fee receipt
Provide proof of fee payment for your application, as the total amount for work visas is $190 USD. Please check with your local U.S. embassy about all other fees.
A valid passport
You must ensure that your passport remains valid for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. and an extra six months beyond your intended return date. Ensure you have an up-to-date passport, and it does not expire while inside the U.S.
U.S. visa photograph
You must attach a visa-compliant photograph while filling in the online application form. The photograph must meet specific requirements regarding its size, background, and quality.
Receipt number
The receipt number can be located on the approved Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, filed by the employer with the use of Form I-129. Your application requires it, and it must be copied properly.
Demonstrate the intention of returning back to home country
This can be established by proving that you will return to your country of residence upon completion of the employment in the USA, through different methods like family ties, ownership of property, or an employer's letter.
DS-160 form confirmation page
Complete and submit the DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa application form. Print the confirmation page and present it to the consular officer during the interview.
What advantages does the United States work visa offer?
Legal authorization to work
A US work visa is an empowerment to work legally in the United States. This status will legally enable you to pursue the opportunities for employment and further growth without the risks of being deported or illegal. Legal employment within the US could upgrade your professional experience to even a higher standard, with growth and great earning potential.
Diverse job market
The job market in the U.S. is just wide and diversified; there are a number of job opportunities that one can fit with their career goal, being it in technology, healthcare, finance, or some other sector.
Pathway to permanent residency
Certain work visas, such as an H-1B, can help people obtain a green card and permanent residency. This essentially means one will be able to permanently stay and work in the U.S., therefore opening up more opportunities for them and their family.
Cultural experience
Living and working in the U.S. offers an opportunity not just to live American culture but to become a part of it and experience the norms and behaviors within. It provides an enlarged global perspective and intercultural communication skills—thus, relevant for this era of the world
Family benefits
Some work visas allow for immediate family members—a spouse and children—to come along with you. This gives them the privilege of living, working, and studying in the US educational system and life in America.
Learning opportunities
This influential nation has numerous standards about the best schools and universities. So, living in the U.S., your children can benefit from this type of education to form a better future.
Networking
You get to build a professional network with colleagues and industry leaders in the United States, which becomes a stepping-stone to future job opportunities. These people can act as contacts who might lend you a hand in moving a step higher on your career ladder.
Improved quality of life
It has good health care, infrastructure, and various services, due to which the U.S. people can acquire high living standards. Living in the U.S. may very well secure your family a comfortable and sufficient life.
Start the visa process today!
In summary, receiving a U.S. work visa is one very important step closer to achieving your career and personal goals. It grants permission to work legally in the U.S., provides access to a wide range of employment opportunities, leads to permanent residency, and offers many personal and professional benefits. Whether you are a professional in a specific area of expertise, a person working in agriculture, an individual with extraordinary abilities, or a trader or investor, there is a work visa that can help you work in the United States.
By understanding the requirements and following necessary steps, you are able to cruise through successfully and get onto a fulfilling career in the US. If you have any questions or need further assistance, do not hesitate to reach out to our team of experts who are here to help you every step of the way.
