how to apply for a sponsorship visa

To sponsor an immigrant for work in the U.S., there are a number of steps required:

1. Ensure the position qualifies as a specialty occupation
2. Determine the rate of pay for the position
3. Notify the U.S. workforce
4. Submit a Labor Condition Application to the DOL for certification
5. Register with the USCIS for the annual H-1B Lottery
6. Await the Lottery selection results
7. Submit a completed Form I-129 to USCIS
8. Instruct your prospective worker to apply for a visa or admission

Full Answer

Can I sponsor someone for a visa?

While you can’t petition for a friend’s immigrant visa or Green Card (only family members can do that), you can financially sponsor a friend’s immigration petition with Form I-864, Affidavit of Support.

Can I get a work visa without a sponsor?

Since there are so many US visas, it can be confusing to know which ones are for employment. Even within the US work visas, for very short seasonal work you might not need a sponsorship. But you must keep in mind that most employment offers in the US will need a visa sponsorship. The US visas have groups of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

Does the sponsor have to be an US citizen?

You must also be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident. You must have a domicile in the United States or a territory or possession of the United States. Usually, this requirement means you must actually live in the United States, or a territory or possession, in order to be a sponsor.

What does visa sponsorship available mean?

What Does Visa Sponsorship Available Mean. Visa sponsorship available means an employer is willing to obtain a work visa for highly-qualified candidates who live outside the United States. To be eligible for visa sponsorship, employers must show that they were unable to fill their vacancies with qualified American workers. The H-1B visa is the ...

How much does it cost to sponsor a visa?

How Much Will Sponsoring an H1-B Visa Cost an Employer? An H-1B Visa (or H-1B transfer) will cost you around $5000 (including government fees). Immigration lawyer fees should costs $2000 to $3000, while filing fees are around $3000.

How do I become a visa sponsor?

How do I sponsor a foreign national?Determine what position the hire will fill. ... Conduct recruiting process, background checks and verification of documentation. ... Apply for a work visa. ... Obtain Department of Labor certification. ... Comply with insurance requirements. ... Meet salary and benefit requirements. ... Cross your fingers.

What documents are needed for sponsorship?

To bring a parent or parents to the U.S. on a B visa, you will need to gather or create several supporting documents, including:Affidavit of Support Form (Form I-134)Tourist Visa Invitation Letter.Tourist Visa Sponsor Letter.Financial Documents.Proof of Sponsor's Residency Status.

Which visa requires sponsorship?

K-1 Visa Sponsorship Once approved by USCIS, the foreign national applies for the K-1 visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate. Part of the K-1 visa application includes financial sponsorship from the U.S. citizen petitioner.

How much does it cost to sponsor an immigrant?

Mandatory FeesGreen Card CostsFamily Sponsorship Form (I-130)$535$535Green Card Application Form (I-485)$1,140Not requiredFinancial Support Form (I-864)$0$120Work Permit Application Form (I-765) (optional)$0Not required7 more rows

How much money do you have to make to sponsor?

The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.

How do I write a sponsorship letter for visa?

I am writing this letter to confirm my sponsorship for _____________ [Applicant's Name] for _______ [give the reason behind the sponsorship like study, visiting a family, etc. He/she will be visiting ______ [country name] for ________ [duration of stay] from _____ to ______ [mention the date].

Who can be a sponsor for immigration?

All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support.

Can a U.S. citizen sponsor a friend?

Unfortunately, the only way that you can sponsor a person's visa or green card application is if you are the non-citizen's employer, relative, or fiancé(e). The U.S. immigration laws do not allow you to sponsor someone just because they are your friend.

Can someone sponsor me to live in USA?

Who You Can Help Immigrate. You can petition to bring family members to the United States (often called "sponsoring" them) only if you are a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident (green card holder). Even then, you can bring in only those family members listed on the chart below.

What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant?

The most common minimum annual income required to sponsor a spouse or family member for a green card is $22,887. This assumes that the sponsor — the U.S. citizen or current green card holder — is not in active military duty and is sponsoring only one relative.

Who can be a sponsor for immigration?

All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support.

How do I sponsor an employee for a work visa in the U.S.?

Prepare to file a Labor Condition Application. File a Labor Condition Application. Obtain a visa.

Can I sponsor an immigrant for work?

Yes. Employers are allowed to sponsor immigrants for work in the United States by submitting Form I-129.

How do you sponsor an employee?

Prepare to file a Labor Condition Application. File a Labor Condition Application. Obtain a visa.

How much does it cost to sponsor an employee in the U.S.?

It can cost between $1,000.00 and $4,500.00 to sponsor an employee in the U.S., excluding legal fees.

Are you eligible to work in the US without sponsorship?

No. Without a sponsorship from an employee, you will not be granted a work visa.

Is there an employer guide to the H-1B visa?

You can follow our detailed steps to apply for an H-1B visa for a foreign employee.

How Do I Get a Sponsor Letter for US Visa?

As explained, getting a sponsorship employment visa requires you to have an offer from a US employer. The US employer must send you a contract to sign, which will then be part of the sponsorship documents.

What is a US Visa Sponsorship?

The company you plan to work for must know that you are not a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR). If the employer is aware and still wants to hire you, then they agree to sponsor you.

How Long is the Sponsor visa USA valid?

Once you go to the US, you can start working. But if you have a nonimmigrant work visa, then its validity is temporary. This means that after some time, it will expire.

How much does the sponsor visa cost?

Especially to the US employer who has to pay most of the fees. Depending on the visa, it might cost up to a few thousand dollars to sponsor a foreign employee. Because it is so expensive, employers are reluctant to do it.

What is a nonimmigrant visa?

Nonimmigrant Visas Employment Sponsorship. US nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays in the country. They are not Green Cards and do not give the right to their holders to become US citizens. There are many types of US nonimmigrant visas, but some of the most popular are the employment ones.

What does it mean to sponsor an employer?

If the employer is aware and still wants to hire you, then they agree to sponsor you. A US visa or employment sponsorship means that the employer in the US is hiring you. They are guaranteeing to the US visa authorities that you will be a legal working resident. The employer will state that you will work the job position they hired you for.

How long is a non-immigrant visa valid?

How long the nonimmigrant work visa is valid depends on the type of visa you have. Some like the H-1B visa are valid for 3 years, while others could only be valid for 1 year. So you must check the details of your visa to not overstay. When the time comes for your visa to expire, some can get extensions.

Who Can Sponsor a Visa?

Ideally, getting a Visa sponsorship is possible only when you have a working job offer in your name from a US company. In other terms, the employer would sponsor the Visa and submit related documents on your behalf. But they can make the sponsorship only in certain situations.

What is visa sponsoring?

Visa Sponsorship is a set of documents which states and guarantees working status and job profile within the United States. Ideally, if you are looking to relocate to the US, you would need to find a job, and the employer, in turn, has to be willing to hire a non-resident employee for the particular job profile.

What happens if a visa is approved?

At this point in time, the employee can start the actual Visa application process in their home country, with the US Embassy.

How long does a sponsor visa last?

For instance, if you opt for an Immigrant Visa, it is a permanent solution. This effectively means you are a Green Card holder with a validity of 10 years, followed by unlimited extensions. You can also apply for permanent citizenship after five years of your stay in the United States.

How long does it take for a visa to be approved?

This takes some time, depending upon the total number of pending cases with the USCIS. Sometimes, it takes months for the application to be processed.

How much does a visa sponsorship cost?

In general, a visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 but may cost $8-9,000 if a company has more than fifty employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.

Can a non-immigrant sponsor a green card?

This is valid for individuals who are only temporarily moving to the country. This means Non-immigrant visa holders are not eligible for Green Cards, indicating that the Visa does not qualify for US citizenship later.

Prepare to file a Labor Condition Application

Ensure that the job description for your vacancy stipulates the need for the candidate to have (at minimum) a bachelor's degree in a specialized field such as engineering, medicine, or law. The position must be one that requires an individual with a specific degree, experience, or training.

File a Labor Condition Application

Employers must fill in and submit Form I-129 to apply for permission to hire a Nonimmigrant worker.

Obtain a visa

If your application is approved, you will receive a Form I-797 Notice of Action. The foreign employee must take Form I-797 to a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country. This will allow them to apply for permission to enter the U.S.

What is an intra company transfer visa?

The Intra-Company Transfer visa, or L1 visa as it is officially known, can also be used for employees who are being sent to the United States to open a new office.

What is a H1B visa?

The Speciality Occupation visa, or H1B vis a as it is otherwise known, is a non-immigrant work visa for graduate level workers to undertake a role with a US employer in a speciality occupation requiring theoretical or technical expertise.

What is an E1 trader visa?

Under the E1 Treaty Trader visa, you must be coming to the US to engage in substantial trade in either goods, money or services, principally between the USA and your treaty country, building on an existing trading relationship.

Can a foreigner work in the USA?

Under US immigration law there are various different classifications of work visa that will allow foreign citizens to undertake work on a time-limited basis in the United States. Below we look at the nature of the “temporary work visa USA” and some of the different options that are currently available.

Does a visa guarantee entry?

That said, the grant of a visa does not necessarily guarantee entry. Having a visa only indicates a consular officer has determined you are eligible to seek entry to the USA for that specific purpose. It remains at the discretion of immigration officials at the port of entry to determine your eligibility for admission into the country.

What is family preference visa?

Family Preference – these visas are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and some specified relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year.

What is immediate relative visa?

Immediate Relative – these visas are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, such as a spouse, child or parent. The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year.

What is family based immigration?

Family Based Immigration. A foreign citizen seeking to live permanently in the United States requires an immigrant visa (IV). To be eligible to apply for an IV, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years of age and is either a U.S. citizen or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (that is, a green-card holder).

Can a permanent resident file an immigrant visa?

U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can only file an immigrant visa petition for their:

How long do you have to work to get a visa?

Work must be in a designated regional area. The employment will be for at least a period of 5 years after visa grant. Employer Sponsored stream applicants require a skills assessment (unless exempt) Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required. Other criteria apply to these visas.

How long do you have to work for a regional visa?

Work must be in a regional area. The employment will be for at least a period of 2 years after visa grant. Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) 5 years. Work must be in a designated regional area.

How long does a temporary skill shortage visa last?

Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) 1-4 years. Workers can only work for you or an associated entity unless exempt from this requirement. Workers must work only in nominated occupation. You can't change the occupation without a new nomination. Worker must have the skills to perform the nominated occupation.

How to check if a family member has an immigrant visa?

Your family member’s preference category will determine how long they will have to wait for an immigrant visa number. Once you have filed a petition, you can check its progress the My Case Status page. For visa availability information, see the Visa Bulletin page on the U.S. Department of State website.

How to get a green card for a family member?

To petition for a family member to receive a Green Card (permanent residence), begin by filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative. This form establishes the family relationship that exists between you and your relative. Sometimes the I-130 can be filed together with an application for permanent residence, officially known as Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. This is discussed below.

What is an I-129F?

NOTE: A visa petition (Form I-130 or Form I-129F) is only used to demonstrate a qualifying relationship. An approved petition DOES NOT grant any benefit, it simply creates a place in line for visa processing.

Can I file for a visa for my immediate family?

citizens. This means your family member does not need to wait in line for a visa. Immediate relatives who are in the United States can file Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status at the same time as Form I-130.

Can a family member get a green card?

This page describes how you (a U.S. citizen) may petition for certain family members to receive either a Green Card, a fiancé (e) visa or a K-3/K-4 visa based on your relationship. (If your relative wishes to naturalize or obtain proof of citizenship, see the Citizenship section of our website.)

How old do you have to be to sponsor a spouse?

U.S. Sponsor Minimum Age Requirement. There is no minimum age for a U.S. sponsor (petitioner) to file a petition for a spouse. However, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a residence ( domicile) in the U.S. before you can sign the Affidavit of Support (Form I-864 or I-864EZ). This form is required for an immigrant visa for a spouse ...

What is a visa for a foreigner?

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the U.S. Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. The DHS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the U.S. Travelers should review important information about admissions and entry requirements on the CBP website under Travel. Once you have been admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident, your Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551 (formerly called Alien Registration Card, also known as a green card) will be mailed to you.

How long is an immigrant visa valid?

An immigrant visa is generally valid for six months from the issuance date.

What are some examples of ineligibilities for a visa?

Examples of these ineligibilities include: drug trafficking; overstaying a previous visa; and submitting fraudulent documents. If you are ineligible for a visa, you will be informed by the consular officer and advised whether there is a waiver of the ineligibility available to you and what the waiver process is. Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas contains the complete list of ineligibilities.

Why are some visa applications delayed?

Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Sometimes the U.S. sponsor, or petitioner, cannot meet Affidavit of Support requirements. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a consular officer.

How to file an alien relative petition?

The first step is to file a Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, with the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for your spouse (husband or wife) to immigrate to the United States. For instructions on how to file a petition, including where you should send the petition, see the USCIS website.

Where does the NVC send the visa application?

NVC then sends the file, containing the applicant’s petition and the documents listed above, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa. The applicant, petitioner, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address if available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.