- Step 1: Petition for nonimmigrant workers, Form I-129. An employer must submit Form I-129 on your behalf and this must...
- Step 2: Complete the online visa application. Once USCIS approves the Form I-129, you can apply for the visa. Start by...
- Step 3: Schedule an interview. The interview will be scheduled at the US Embassy or Consulate in the country you reside...
What visa do I need to work in the USA?
- U.S. Green Card Holder
- Exchange Visitor Visa
- Temporary Work Visas (Non-Agricultural)
- Temporary Worker Visas (Skilled Workers)
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas
How do you get a work visa for the US?
- A valid passport for more than 6 months after your stay in the US is completed
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- One US Visa photograph
- Receipts that prove you have paid your fees
- A letter from your employer which states you have a job in the US with the following details: The occupation in which you will work Job description Contract length Educational ...
Is it easy to get a work visa in the USA?
Obtaining a US Work Visa
- Have a job offer from a US-based employer. Before you even start the process of a work visa application, you need to have had a concrete offer from a US-based ...
- An approved petition by the USCIS. ...
- There are some types of visas that require additional approval from the Department of Labour (DoL). ...
How to obtain a working visa in the USA?
- Valid passport – which needs to be valid for the entire duration of your stay in the US and an additional six months after you return
- US visa photo – which you need to upload when you fill out the online application form.
- The Receipt Number, which you can find on your approved Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (I-129 Form) which your employer filed.
How long does it take to get a work visa for USA?
about two to seven monthsHow Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa? In general, it takes about two to seven months for the USCIS to process a work permit application. The time your work visa processes will highly depend on the type of visa you applied for. However, with extensive backlogs, there are longer wait times for obtaining work visas.
Is getting work visa in USA hard?
It is almost impossible to get a work visa for HR category as there is no dearth of recruiters or HR professionals in US, to warrant an employer to sponsor a work visa for you. As you may know, HR professionals have very limited role to play in the corporate structure in US .
How much money is required for work visa in USA?
Working visa USA cost: non-petition based visa fees The application fee for nonimmigrant visa applications is $160.00. This includes the following visas: B visa for visitors & tourists.
How long can you stay in America with a work visa?
six yearsUnder U.S. law, a foreign worker with an H-1B visa can stay in the U.S. for a maximum of six years (plus extensions in certain circumstances, discussed below).
Can a company sponsor me to work in USA?
What is a US Visa Sponsorship? To be able to go to the US to work, you must first find a job. The employer must be willing to hire someone who is not from the US. The company you plan to work for must know that you are not a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR).
How do you get a US work visa without a job offer?
A short answer is No. Unfortunately, you can't apply for a work visa without a job offer. Your prospective employer must be willing to sponsor you for the visa and petition on your behalf.
Is it hard to sponsor a work visa?
Sponsoring a foreign worker for a U.S. job may be quicker and easier through a nonimmigrant visa than through a green card. Sponsoring a foreign worker for a U.S. job may be quicker and easier through a nonimmigrant visa than through a green card.
Is it easy to work in USA?
Though getting a job is not as easy as it may sound, there are few ways through which you can get a job in USA comparatively easier. But first you need to make up your mind whether you really want to shift from your own county to another country. Complete your homework carefully before you apply for the job in US.
Is working in the US hard?
Americans are hard workers, putting in an average of 1,767 hours per year as of 2021, according to the World Economic Forum. That's 435 hours per year more than Germans work, but 357 fewer than Mexicans do.
Is it difficult to get H-1B sponsorship?
How Difficult Is It To Get an H1B Visa? H1B visa requirements can be difficult to meet because you must first be hired by a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you. Competition for jobs in the United States is fierce, and demand for visas to enter the US grows daily.
What is a work visa?
What's a U.S. work visa and why do you need one? A visa is a document that provides authorization for travel to and admittance to the United States. Before visiting, working, or immigrating to the U.S., generally a citizen of a foreign country must first obtain a U.S. visa. 1 .
What is a visa for employment?
The visa provides entry to the U.S. and , depending on the type of visa obtained, may provide authorization for employment in the U.S.
What is the annual green card lottery?
The annual green card lottery program ( Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) is an opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain the status as a permanent legal resident of the U.S. 5
Can you review employment authorization documents?
You can review information on Employment Authorization Documents and how to acquire, renew, or replace them.
How to get a work visa in the US?
Steps to Obtaining a Work Visa in the US. Step 1: Petition for nonimmigrant workers, Form I-129. An employer must submit Form I-129 on your behalf and this must be approved by USCIS before moving forward. Step 2: Complete the online visa application. Once USCIS approves the Form I-129, you can apply for the visa.
What is a permanent worker?
Permanent Workers: Are authorized to live and work permanently in the States.
What is an employment authorization document?
An Employment Authorization Document (work permit), or. An employment-related visa (allows work for a particular employer) Each of these documents has different application requirements depending on your specific circumstance and whether you are applying for temporary or permanent visas.
What is a temporary worker?
A Temporary Worker: Works in the US for a temporary period of time. Once in the States, this worker is restricted to employment and activity for which their visa was issued. Depending on their situation, this visa may be eligible for renewal.
What form do I need to file for a temporary worker visa?
Some temporary worker visa categories require your prospective employer to obtain a labor certification or other approval from the Department of Labor on your behalf before filing the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, with USCIS. Your prospective employer should review the Instructions for Form I-129 on the USCIS website to determine whether labor certification is required for you.
What is a temporary worker visa?
Temporary worker visas are for persons who want to enter the United States for employment lasting a fixed period of time, and are not considered permanent or indefinite. Each of these visas requires the prospective employer to first file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What form do I need to bring for an L visa?
L Visa Applicants – If you are included in an L blanket petition, you must bring Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, to your interview.
What is the purpose of a visa interview?
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What is a visa for a foreigner?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.
What form do I need to schedule an interview?
You will need to provide the receipt number that is printed on your approved Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797, to schedule an interview.
What is a work visa?
A work visa is a type of employment permit that gives someone permission to take a job in a different country. An employee may need an employment visa as well as an additional work permit that allows them to pursue a career in a specific country.
How long do you have to work for a foreign company to get a visa?
In order for the employee to qualify, they need to have worked for the foreign company for one continuous year within a three-year period prior to entering the U.S. It's important to note that there are two categories for this type of visa: L-1A and L-1B.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
This nonimmigrant visa is for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. To demonstrate that they are extraordinary at their job, they need to be able to show that they're at the top of their field and known nationally or internationally for their achievements.
How many types of work visas are there?
Here is an overview of 10 different types of work visas, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas:
What are the criteria for an immigrant visa?
These include awards, membership in associations, a high salary, publications about you or your work, publication in scholarly journals, original contributions to your field, exhibitions of your work and judging the work of others, among other criteria.
What is the age limit for a visa to Australia?
This visa applies only to foreign nationals from Australia, their spouses and any children who are under the age of 21. The applicant must be going to the U.S. to work within a specialty occupation. There are a limited number of these visas issued each year, although the spouse and children of the applicant do not count toward that number. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent, have a special skill set that's required to fill a specialty position and have a job offer from a U.S. company.
Temporary Employment Visas H L O P Q
For approved petition-based temporary employment in the United States.
Exchange Visitor Visa J
For certain teachers, professors, summer work travel, and other exchange participants, accepted for approved programs.
Trade Treaty
For executives, managers, and essential workers of qualified companies from treaty countries, who qualify to conduct treaty-based trade or investment in the United States.
How to apply for an immigrant visa?
To be considered for an immigrant visa under some of the employment-based categories below, the applicant's prospective employer or agent must first obtain a labor certification approval from the Department of Labor. Once received (if required), the employer then files an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the appropriate employment-based preference category. (NOTE: Persons with extraordinary abilities in the Employment First preference category are able to file their own petitions.) When filing the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, see the detailed form instructions, as well as more detailed requirements information on the USCIS Permanent Workers webpage.
What form do I need to file for an alien worker?
The prospective employer must provide a job offer and file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, with the USCIS.
What is the third preference for immigrants?
A Third Preference applicant must have an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, filed by the prospective employer. All such workers generally require labor certification approved by the Department of Labor. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas, plus any unused visas from the Employment First Preference and Second Preference categories.
Why do immigration cases take so long?
Employment based immigrant visa cases take additional time because they are in numerically limited visa categories. The length of time varies from case to case and cannot be predicted for individual cases with any accuracy. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the consular officer interviews the applicant.
How long do you have to wait to get an immigration visa?
Immigrant visas cannot be issued until an applicant's priority date is reached. In certain heavily oversubscribed categories, there may be a waiting period of several years before a priority date is reached. Check the Visa Bulletin for the latest priority dates.
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, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address is available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.
What is an unskilled worker?
Unskilled workers (Other workers) are persons capable of filling positions that require less than two years training or experience that are not temporary or seasonal.
Who is eligible for a Work Permit?
Many immigrants can apply for a Work Permit from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS provides detailed information about who is eligible to work in the U.S. on its website. Eligible immigrants include:
What should I do if USCIS denies my Work Permit application?
There are three main reasons that USCIS might reject your Work Permit application:
How do I switch or renew my Work Permit?
Citizen. You could also come on a Work Visa and end up getting a job with a company other than the one that initially sponsored you. Whatever the case, if you have a status that allows you to work and you want to switch to another status for any reason, you will need to submit a new Form I-765.
What is an Employment Authorization Document (EAD)?
Immigrants living in the United States, and foreign nationals who want to come to the United States, cannot work unless they receive permission from the United States government. That permission comes in the form of an Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). EAD's are more commonly known as "Work Permits." Work Permits are photo identification cards issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and they look a lot like a driver's license.
What determines the type of student visa you need?
Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
What is ESTA in travel?
Fill out the (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
What is transit C visa?
Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.
What happens if you violate your work visa?
If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked. You could be deported, arrested, or denied re-entry into the U.S.
Can an international student apply for a student visa?
An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.
Do you need an authorization to travel under VWP?
If you plan to visit the U.S. under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip. Authorization approvals are determined using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) .
What are the categories of foreign workers?
There are several categories of foreign workers permitted to work in the United States, such as permanent immigrant workers, temporary (non-immigrant) workers, and student/exchange workers. 1. The categories of workers permitted to work in the U.S. include:
What is an employment authorization document?
The Employment Authorization Document is proof to your employer that you are legally allowed to work in the United States. The following categories of foreign workers are eligible to apply for an Employment Authorization Document: 4. Other workers depending on circumstances.
How long is an EAD valid for?
2 An EAD is usually valid for one year and is renewable and replaceable.
What is an EAD for a non-citizen?
1. This permit is officially known as an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which enables a non-citizen to work in the U.S. 2. It is the responsibility of both employers ...
Why do I need to file an I-765?
EAD cards are replaced for many different reasons. If a card is lost, stolen, or contains incorrect information , it may be necessary to file a new Form I-765 and pay a filing fee. 5 In some cases, a fee waiver can be requested for all fees.
What is a temporary worker?
Temporary (Non-Immigrant) Workers: A temporary worker is an individual seeking to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. Non-immigrants enter the United States for a temporary period of time, and once in the United States, they are restricted to the activity or reason for which their non-immigrant visa was issued.
What is a non-resident?
Non-citizen, non-residents, duly authorized to work. Non-citizen, non-resident workers that may be authorized to work in the U.S. include: 1. Temporary (Non-Immigrant) Workers: A temporary worker is an individual seeking to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
L-1 Visa
- This type of nonimmigrant visa is for employees who work for foreign businesses that are affiliated with U.S. companies. An employee would need this type of work visa if they were transferred to the U.S. branch within their organization. Additionally, this type of work visa would be applicable if an employee was being transferred to the U.S. by their foreign company to set u…
O-1 Visa
- This nonimmigrant visa is for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. To demonstrate that they are extraordinary at their job, they need to be able to show that they're at the top of their field and known nationally or internationally for their achievements.
E-1 Visa
- This type of visa allows people from certain countries to visit the U.S. to carry on trade activities. People can obtain this type of work visa as a Treaty Investor or Treaty Trader. If you want to come to the U.S. as an investor, you need to invest a large amount of money into a U.S> business and be able to show you're coming to develop your investment.
TN Visa
- The TN work visa was created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It's specifically intended for Mexican or Canadian citizens who want to come to the U.S. to work for an employer. In order to qualify, you have to prove that you're a citizen of one of those countries, have a job offer from a U.S. employer and show that you have a posi...
Australian Professional Specialty Visa
- This visa applies only to foreign nationals from Australia, their spouses and any children who are under the age of 21. The applicant must be going to the U.S. to work within a specialty occupation. There are a limited number of these visas issued each year, although the spouse and children of the applicant do not count toward that number. Applicants must have a bachelor's de…
Seasonal Agricultural Work Visas
- Seasonal agricultural worker visas (H2-A) are available for foreign workers who want to come to the U.S. to work on a temporary or seasonal basis, as long as there is a shortage of domestic employees. These temporary visas are limited to just three years and to qualify the worker must come from an approved country. Related: Common Overseas Jobs for Americans