Visa-Faq.com

what is a work visa in the us

by Dr. Archibald Koch I Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Here are the types of US Temporary Work Visas:

  • H1B visa: Person in Specialty Occupation. ...
  • H-1B1 visa: Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional – Chile, Singapore. ...
  • H-2A visa: Temporary Agricultural Worker. ...
  • H-2B visa: Temporary Non-agricultural Worker. ...
  • H-3 visa: Trainee or Special Education visitor. ...
  • I visa: Representatives of Foreign Media. ...
  • L1 visa: Intracompany Transferee. ...

More items...

The Work Visa USA is used for people to go and work temporarily in the US. for a specified period of time. The period of time that you will be working should be noted in the employment contract or the visa application. This type of US visa does not allow individuals to work in the US indefinitely or permanently.

Full Answer

How to obtain an US work visa?

  • 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.

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How do you get a work visa?

Typical requirements for work visas often include:

  • Your Passport. Make sure your passport is signed, has blank visa pages, and will be valid for at least one year.
  • Passport-style photographs. ...
  • Visa application. ...
  • Proof of your job offer.
  • Your resume or Curriculum Vitae.
  • A copy of your diploma. ...
  • Copies of any professional certifications or licenses.

What are the types of working visa?

Work Visas and Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. Work Visas Requirements. ...
  • U.S. Green Cards. ...
  • Green Card Lottery Programs. ...
  • Exchange Visitor Visas. ...
  • Temporary Work Visas (Non-Agricultural) U.S. ...
  • Temporary Worker Visas (Skilled Workers) U.S. ...
  • Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas. ...
  • Eligibility to Work in the United States. ...

What are the requirements for an US visa?

  • Application form, either the DS-160 form (for non-immigrant visas) or the DS-260 form (for immigrant visas)
  • A passport that is six months valid beyond your planned date of departure from the United States
  • Two photographs that meet the U.S. visa photograph requirements
  • Valid payment method for a visa fee to schedule an interview

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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). The H-1B visa and status is initially valid for three years and can then be extended for another three years.

What visa is needed to work in US?

If you want to live and work in the United States of America permanently, you must apply for an immigrant visa (Green Card).

What is considered a work visa?

A work visa is a type of employment permit that gives someone permission to take a job in a different country. If you're a foreign national interested in working in the U.S., you need to apply for and obtain a visa.

Who pays for the work visa in USA?

A lot of people looking to secure U.S. work visas like the H-1B wonder who pays the fees: the employer or the prospective employee? Generally speaking, the employer must pay for the attorney fees and government filing fees associated with the H-1B petition and Labor Condition Application.

Is getting a US work visa hard?

Getting a visa without an employer is very, very difficult. You could apply to the "green card" lottery, but they aren't running another one until 2008.

How much does a US work visa cost?

Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.

How long does a work visa last?

Non-Immigrant Work Visas H-1B visas are valid for the length of the employment contract, up to six years. Extensions beyond six years are unusual unless either the worker or employer pursues an adjustment of status from non-immigrant to immigrant, which would signal the intention of applying for a green card.

How long does it take to get a work visa 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.

What are the 4 types of visa?

Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

How long does it take to sponsor a work visa?

The USCIS generally takes three to six months to process a completed application, but employers may choose to expedite the process by paying for premium processing, which guarantees the USCIS will adjudicate the petition within 15 days. For more information, see How Do I Use the Premium Processing Service?

How long can you stay in the US without a visa?

90 daysThe Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 40 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

How long does it take to get green card after work permit?

Once you receive your work permit from USCIS, it could take anywhere from 5 – 43 months to receive your Green Card depending on your eligibility category and which USCIS office or service center handles your petition.

What are the 4 types of visa?

Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.

What is H 1B Visa USA?

The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.

What are the requirements for H1B visa?

Hold a U.S. bachelor's or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university. Hold a foreign degree that is the equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's or higher degree required by the specialty occupation from an accredited college or university.

What are the requirements for j1 visa?

In order to be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 15 and 18.5 by the first day of school. They must not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary school (excluding kindergarten), and they must not have previously participated in a secondary school exchange program in the US.

What is the process to get a work visa?

This requirement means that before you apply for a US work visa, your employer must file a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker with USCIS. This petition, otherwise known as a I-129 form is the most important document for you to get your work visa. When USCIS approves your employer’s petition, you can start applying for the visa. However, if your petition is approved, that does not necessarily mean that the U.S Embassy will automatically give you a work visa. Due to reasons that might remain at the discretion of the Embassy, you could be denied the work visa even if your USCIS petition is approved.

How much does it cost to get a work visa?

Receipt that proves that you have paid the application fee. For US work visas, the application fee is $190. There might also be additional fees that apply to your location, so you should check with your local U.S Embassy about more details.

What is a Labor Conditions Application?

A Labor Conditions Application (LCA) or Certification is issued by the US Department of Labor to a company which is planning to hire a foreign worker. The LCA gives the right to the company to hire employees who are not US citizens of Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) and sponsor them for visas.

What is an Employment Petition?

An employment petition is submitted by a US company that wants to sponsor a foreign worker for an employment visa. The petition is submitted to USCIS for processing and includes details of the job position, salary, and the qualifications of the foreign worker.

What is an Employment Authorization Document?

Those who have U.S nonimmigrant visas cannot start working unless they have a work permit. The U.S work permit is called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and it can be obtained immediately after your visa is approved.

What form do I need to apply for a L visa?

For those applying for an L Visa, you will also need to have a filled I-129S form (Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition). You should bring this form with you when you have your visa interview.

What happens if you report a violation of your visa?

If someone in the U.S violates your rights and you report it, your visa will not be terminated and the government cannot force you to return to your country if your visa is still valid, only because you reported those violations.

What is a business visitor visa?

This business visitor visa is known as a nonimmigrant visa which is available for individuals approved to participate in work and study-based exchange visitor programs, including by business sponsors. This permit allows visitors to experience life in the US before returning to their home countries.

When will the US suspend work visas?

On June 22, President Trump signed an Executive Order on suspending some US Work Visas until December 31, 2020.

Do You Need a US Work Visa?

If you want to ensure your best chances at getting an approval on your US work visa application , then we recommend you book a consultation with us to understand your options. We have helped thousands and thousands of workers successfully enter the US on a work permit, and we can help you too!

What do you need to demonstrate at an immigrant visa interview?

Financial Support. At your immigrant visa interview, you must demonstrate to the consular officer that you will not become a public charge in the United States.

What is a permanent resident?

Permanent residents, other known as green card holders, are non-US citizens who are authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Many people obtain their green card through a family based green card or employment based green card. Each year many applicants are awarded green cards in employment based categories.

How many sections are there in the green card?

The employment based category is divided into five sections: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. If you are interested in working in the US, you may be eligible to obtain a Green Card under one of these categories.

Why is a work permit necessary?

Working in the U.S. is a sought-after goal for people from across the globe. In most cases, foreign nationals wishing to work in the United States will be required to apply for a U.S. work visa.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 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.

How to get a work visa in the US?

A foreign national who seeks to enter the US on a work visa must obtain a US visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which is placed on the applicant’s passport . The US visa allows the foreign national to travel to a US port of entry, airport or land border crossing and request permission to enter the US. While the US visa does not guarantee entry to the US, it does indicate that a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined that the foreign is eligible to seek entry into the US for a specific purpose.

What are the different types of work visas?

There are many types of US work visa, each suited for a specific purpose of travel and/or nature of employment. The most common types are: 1 H-1B Visa for Specialty Occupations workers 2 H-1B1 Visa for Specialty Occupations workers from Chile or Singapore 3 H-2A Visa for Temporary Agricultural workers 4 H-2B Visa for Temporary Non-agricultural workers 5 E-1 Visa for Treaty Traders 6 E-2 Visa for Treaty Investors 7 E-3 Visa for Specialty Occupation workers from Australia 8 TN Visa for NAFTA professional workers from Canada and Mexico 9 P Visa for Athletes, Artists, Entertainers 10 Visa for Extraordinary Artists, Teachers, Scientists and Businesspersons 11 J visa for Exchange Visitors 12 R Visa for Religious workers

How to apply for a work permit?

Employment Authorization Document (Work Permit) is applied for by using USCIS Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The application is submitted, together with supporting documentation, to the office with jurisdiction over the category that you qualify for. This could include one of the USCIS Service Centers, the National Benefits Center, or in some cases with the US State Department (who will then forward the application to the USCIS).

What is a temporary visa?

A temporary US work visa allows an individual to enter the US to take up employment as opposed to, for example, a US visitor visa, which is issued for the purpose of visiting the US.

What form do I need to file to get a work permit?

In order to obtain the work permit, the eligible foreign national must file the Form I-765 with USCIS while present in the U.S.

Do you need an EAD for a work visa?

are authorized to work incident to their status. That means they are authorized to work because they hold the particular work visa status and do not need a separate EAD or work permit.

Can Susan work in the US?

Susan’s visa does not allow her to just start working in the US. However, as an E-2 dependent spouse of an E-2 employee, she is eligible for a work permit. She will have to apply for and receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before she can work.

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