Have you ever imagined working in the United States? For numerous people, this wish is a step towards high earning potential and other prospects due to the country’s strong economy and developed facilities. Nonetheless, working towards this objective demands beginning with applying for a work visa, which is a prerequisite to legally stay and work in the US.
The following is a step by step guide for applying and acquiring a work visa in us, including what types of visas are there, the requirements for each, and their costs.
Steps to Getting a US Work Visa
Baseline before you start to fill out forms for the visa, it is important for you to have a job offer from a company in the US. This offer is at the core of your application. Whenever you manage to get an employer to agree to hire you, consider the following:
1. Work along with your employer to submit a petition to the USCIS.
Your employer is obliged to submit a petition at the USCIS first to get the permission to begin hiring employees outside of US. Once they get the approval, the USCIS will issue a Form I-797 which is also referred to as Notice of Action, and it will be crucial for the next steps.
2. Labor Condition Application (If Applicable)
Employers are required to submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) alongside the Labor Certification Application if they fall under certain work visa categories. This application is done on an ETA-9035/9035E form. It assures that the employer adheres to the relevant employment and wages regulations as well as any protections offered to workers.
3. Complete the DS-160 Form
The FORM DS-160 is filled out through the online platform of the United States Department of State. It captures the personal details of an individual and any other information that pertains to the application. Make sure to answer all the questions given accurately and to the best of your knowledge as mistakes may delay the whole procedure.
4. Upload A Recent Photograph
Attach a current photo that is colored and meets the required technical stipulations as well as the correct measurements (600 by 600 up to 1200 by 1200 pixels) and that which was taken in the last six months. Outdated photos are one of the reasons documents are rejected. Follow and adhere to the set rules.
5. Schedule A U.S. Embassy Interview
Set an appointment with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate within your region. This interview is a significant step in the entire process as the consular officers assess whether you are eligible for the work visa.
6. Prepare For The Interview And Submit All The Required Documents
Come along with the necessary documents on the interview date. These documents include:
I. A current passport
II. Form I-797 (if need be)
III. Proof that the DS-160 form was completed and submitted, and
IV. Documentation that proves that you are qualified for the job position.
7. Submission of Visa Application Payment
Depending on the category of the Visa applied for, the fee may differ. Always remember to keep the receipt issued by the bank, as you will convey it to the interviewer on that day.
8. Biometric Verification
During the interview process, your fingerprints will be collected for verification purposes. This step is part of the process in establishing an identity.
9. Grant of Your Visa
After obtaining approval for your application, you will be asked to submit the passport to the embassy or consulate for issuance of a visa. Upon completion of this step, your passport will be returned with the visa stamp, allowing you to legally reside and work in the United States.
Prerequisite Conditions For A U.S Work Permit Visa
When applying for a work permit Visa, specific conditions have to be fulfilled alongside certain documents being submitted. The following documents are particularly important:
– Passport: Must remain valid for a duration exceeding six months from the date of departure from the United States.
– Form DS-160: Ensure that the confirmation page with the submitted application for form DS-160 is available.
– Visa Fee Receipt: Evidence of the fee payment should be kept for future purposes.
– Photograph: One printed copy of the digital photo uploaded while filling DS-160 should be carried.
– Form I-797: Issued by the employer, this document is important for application endorsement.
Depending on the particular work visa classification, additional documents may be necessary, including evidence of skills, diplomas, or even job agreement letters. Each category of visa comes with qualifications necessary for that particular class of work.
U.S. Work Visa Types
The kind of occupation and period of stay are used to classify the types of work permits that the U.S. grants. The most frequently used are:
– H1B: For designated professions that qualify for a bachelor degree.
– H2B: Non-agricultural aliens coming to the U.S. for temporary or seasonal work.
– L1: For employees of international companies transferring to the U.S.
– O1: For persons with exceptional talent or skill in their field.
As with all visas, each type has its own conditions, advantages, and disadvantages, so it is important to grasp which one best fits your situation.
Work visum application processes can be tricky but with proper planning, one can establish an excellent career in the US. Following this procedural guideline will propel you towards your objectives in one of the fastest-growing economies in the globe.
H-1B Visa: Experts in Specified Fields
The H-1B visa is issued to people travelling to work in the specialized fields where they will be working. The applicants must meet the following conditions with regards to education qualifications:
Educational Qualifications
The applicant must have at least a U.S. Bachelor degree or an equivalent from an accredited institution of higher learning. Or alternatively, he or she has a foreign degree higher than a U.S. Bachelor degree and has successfully completed an evaluation to meet American Bachelor degree standards.
Professional Certifications
Obtain the relevant licenses, registration, or certifications required to practice your profession in America.
Relevant Experience
Possess considerable knowledge in practice and experience in the area of work that he or she is being offered.
H-1B2 Visa: Researchers and Defense Projects
The H-1B2 visa is granted to non-immigrants who pursue development projects or research that are administered directly by the US Department of Defense. Some basic scrolling requirements are:
– Academic Credentials: A Bachelor’s Degree or its equivalent foreign education that is recognized and accredited in America.
– Licenses And Certificates: Acquire any requisite licensure or any other professional documents imperative to conduct defense research work.
– Specialized Experience: Submit documentation to prove relevant experience that makes you eligible for the project in question.
H-1B3 Visa: Recognized Internationally for Fashion Show Models
The H-1B3 model visa is meant for a person who is a professional fashion model of international repute. The following must be obtained:
– Professional Recognition: Evidence of a well-established career in the modeling industry with proof of high level accolades.
H-2A Visa: Agricultural Workers on a Temporary Basis
The H-2A visa provides the possibility of using foreign workers to fill seasonal and peak workload vacancies in agriculture to ensure production sustenance within periods of unavailability of domestic hands. These requirements include:
– Eligibility by Country: The applicants must be from eligible nationals from one of the 43 permitted countries, for instance Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Panama or Nicaragua. This requirement is to ensure straightforward and well-organized migration.
– Employer Sponsorship: The employers are obliged to demonstrate that the position is temporary and unable to be filled by American employees.
H-2B Visa: Temporary Non AG Workers
The H-2B visa is applicable for industries other than agriculture, accommodating temporary increase in labor force due to change of seasons and demands. The most common ones are construction, hospitality, and entertainment. Applicants must:
– Country Eligibility: Hold citizenship of eligible countries, which now also includes Colombia, to ensure safe and orderly program participation.
– Employer Justification: Employers must justify that the increasing demand is temporary and cannot be met by local labor.
L-Type Visas: InterCompany Transfer
The L visas enable transfer of employees of multi–national companies to the USA. This type of visa accelerates businesses and talent flow across borders.
– L-1A Visa: Executives and Managers
This type is for people who have occupied managerial or executive positions for some or the most recent 3 years at their company. The visa enables them to take up similar positions in the office in the USA, facilitating organizational development and sharing of knowledge.
– L-1B Visa: Employees With Specialized Knowledge
This type is aimed at skilled individuals who possess inteded knowledge on the products, services or operations of the company. Applicants should possess skills which are of great importance for the company to effectively operate in the US market.
The Costs Of Work Visa Applications In The United States
After the recent change in the assessments, the MRV fee required when applying for a US work visa is $205. This fee can vary regionally and certain applicants from below listed countries, including Colombia, are not required to pay extra fees.
Can Non Immigrant Tourists Work In The US?
It is vital to know that B1 business visitor visa, together with B2 tourism visa do not permit employment within the United States. If an individual is found working unlawfully, they risk a wide range of punishments including instant removal from the country and being banned from re-entering for a duration of anywhere between three and ten years. Non-compliance may also hinder future international travel through the U.S. Avoiding these repercussions heavily relies on the observance of immigration laws within the US.
In Conclusion
Applying for a work visa from the United States can be a daunting task due to the administrative requirements and the accompanying processes that are involved. Apart from gathering the required documents, an applicant for a work visa has to understand the details that accompany the visa application. Further assistance can be obtained from immigration counsels or your employer to heighten chances of success.
