Common Work Visa Requirements
- A valid United States passport. Many countries require you have a passport with at least 6 months validity beyond your date of arrival and at least 2 empty visa pages ...
- Two passport photos. The photos must be identical and taken within the last 6 months. Some countries only accept color photos while others accept either color or black and white.
- Criminal record certificate. Many countries restrict the entrance of individuals who have been convicted of certain crimes. ...
- Proof of residency. This is usually required to prove that you live within the jurisdiction of the consulate where you are submitting the visa application.
- Visa fee. Even if the country where you plan to work does not charge a fee for tourist and/or business visas, it is common to be charged for work visas. ...
- Other requirements. Other documents may be required depending on the purpose of your trip. These could include formal work contracts and/or letters of invitation. ...
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.
How to immigrate to USA without a job offer?
- through immediate family member who is a US citizen, sponsoring you
- through a real marriage to a US citizen (actually extension of item 1. ...
- by winning the DV-1 lottery if your country is eligible
How do you apply for work visa?
What are the 4 main steps to getting a visa?
- Pay your visa fee,
- Obtain acceptable photographs,
- Complete your online DS-160 visa application,
- Get a list of all required documents you must bring, and.
- Schedule your visa interview appointment.
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
How do you get a visa to work in the USA?
To apply for a work permit in the USA, your employer must file a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This means you must first apply for and be accepted for a job in the US before you can apply for a temporary nonimmigrant visa.
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.
Do I qualify for a work visa in USA?
If you wish to work in the United States for a temporary period you will require a nonimmigrant work visa. You cannot work on a visitor or business visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Unlike some countries, the United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment.
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 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.
Can I move to USA without a job?
Some permanent work visas that do not require a job offer and a sponsor in the United States are the EB-1, O-1 and EB-5 visas.
Can 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.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
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 I sponsor an employee for a work visa?
How to Sponsor an Individual for an H-1B VisaStep 1: Review the Job Description to Ensure It Qualifies as a Specialty Occupation. ... Step 2: Determine the Rate of Pay for the Position. ... Step 3: Notify the U.S. Workforce. ... Step 4: Submit Labor Condition Application (LCA/Form 9035/9035E) to the DOL for Certification.More items...
How much does a work visa cost?
USCIS Standard FeesCategoryUSCIS fees in U.S. dollars (valid until further notice)I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker)$ 460I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker$ 700I-539 Application to Extend / Change Nonimmigrant Status$ 370I-765 Application for Employment Authorization$ 4101 more row
How much money do I need to settle in USA?
The cost to immigrate to the US including the entire process will be around $4000 to $12,000. When an individual applies with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), you need to pay several fees.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
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).
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 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 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 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.
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.
What happens if you try to get a visa?
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.
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 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.
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 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 happens if you get rejected for a work permit?
With so many applicants each year from around the world vying for U.S. Work Permits, it is important to get experienced legal help that will ensure your application package has the best chance of being accepted. Missed or incorrect details can result in a failed bid, which can be heartbreaking if they could have been easily avoided if prepared by an immigration professional . The stakes are high. If your application is refused, your case will be permanently recorded on the U.S. Immigration database. Therefore it is essential to get it right the first time!
How long does a US visa last?
You can file the form DS-160 here. Your valid passport. It must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the United States. However, there are some countries that are exempt from this requirement only needing a passport ...
How to upload a photo for a visa?
The US visa photo requirement is one of the main requirements for every visa you apply for. Upload the photo while you apply online through the DS-160 form. If the upload fails, you can submit the photo on the appointment day. However, we advise you that, even if you upload the photo online, to still bring it with you in case you need it during the interview.
What is the SEVP for student visa?
This educational institution has to be under the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). You will also have to pay SEVIS I-901 fee aside of the normal visa fee and submit proof of payment during the interview.
How to fill out DS-160?
Form DS-160. If you are applying for a US nonimmigrant visa you should complete the online application form DS-160. You can fill the DS-160 form online via the Consular Electronic Application Center. Aside from the main documents, there are others you will have to submit in order to support the answers you have given in your application form, ...
What documents are needed for adoption?
Anything like: Birth certificate, marriage certificate, close family photographs, adoption certificate (if you are adopted or have adopted a child), divorce certificate, spouse’s death certificate, etc.
What is an invitation letter for a US visa?
An invitation letter for US visa is a letter written by a United States citizen or legal resident, confirming that they are willing to admit an international with whom they have family ties or friendship, and also that they have enough room for the visitor for the entire period of their stay in the US.
What to bring to a trip to the US?
Bring a letter from an employer that gives details of your position, salary, length of employment, the period of authorized vacation and purpose of the trip to the US – If employed.
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.
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.
How long does it take to become a skilled worker?
Skilled workers are persons whose jobs require a minimum of 2 years training or work experience that are not temporary or seasonal.
How many years of experience do you need to become a professional?
Professionals holding an advanced degree (beyond a baccalaureate degree), or a baccalaureate degree and at least five years progressive experience in the profession.
Can you get a visa if you are misrepresenting a fact?
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud may result in you becoming permanently ineligible to receive a U.S. visa or enter the United States.
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