A Beginners Guide to Applying for a US Work Visa

Besides being a popular destination for tourism, the United States of America is also popular for employment purposes. The United States has the world's largest economy and this sustained boom is driven in large part by immigrants. Individuals from all over the world want to work in the United States because of the high salaries and good working environments.

Working in the US requires obtaining one of several different types of visas. Foreigners who wish to come to the US for work purposes have several different visa options. Each has different eligibility criteria and its limitations. Getting a visa that aligns with your skillset and career goals requires in-depth research and guidance from an expert. In this article, we’ll explore all of your potential options for getting a work visa if you’re from outside the US. We cover each type of work visa; their eligibility requirements; relevant information on extending your stay as well as switching to permanent residency; advice on choosing which type of visa is right for you; and useful examples so you have a clearer picture when making your application.

What is a US Work Visa?

A United States work visa is an employment-based visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in the United States while working legally. If you want to work in the U.S. temporarily as a nonimmigrant, under U.S. immigration law, you need a specific visa based on the type of work you will be doing. These visas are not permanent, and the duration for which a person is allowed to remain in the United States depends on the type of visa they are issued.

To obtain a work visa, a prospective US employer must first file a petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once USCIS approves the petition, the potential employee may apply for a work visa. To be eligible and approved for a work visa, a foreign national must meet all requirements mandated by USCIS, submit a visa application and supporting documents, and undergo an in-person interview. This process takes place in the potential employee's home country. Once approved, the employee is permitted to enter the United States and begin working.

The Basics of Applying for a US Work Visa

Before we get into the specifics of each visa type, let’s cover the basics of how you can apply for a work visa to live and work in the US. You can apply for a US work visa from any country in the world. However, if you’re currently living in a country other than the US, you will need to be approved by the US Embassy in your home country before you can travel to the US and start working. A visa officer will conduct a visa interview and review your application. If your application is approved, you can then travel to the US and apply for your work visa once there. You must have a job offer from a company in the US before you apply. Your prospective employer will provide you with the H-1B or O-1 application, or L-1 or H-2B petition, alongside instructions on how to proceed.

Which Type of US Work Visa is Right for You?

Only once you’ve established that you meet the basic requirements for a given visa type will you be able to proceed to determine which specific visa is right for you. The best way to proceed is to conduct thorough research and speak with an expert consultant who can help you navigate the complexities of the application process. You can start by considering the following questions: - Why do you want to work in the US? - How much experience do you have in your field? - Are there any special circumstances that you should consider when applying? - What are your goals and timeline? - Which visa is most likely to help you achieve your goals? - How can you maximize your chances of being approved? - Are there any things you should avoid during the application process? - Are there any other factors to consider?

Types of US Work Visa

There are several types of work visas in various categories. The type and purpose of work of the foreign national will determine what visa is appropriate.

Employment-Based Visas: H-1B and O-1

The H-1B is a common visa type for people who want to work for a US company or be self-employed. It’s a temporary visa that lasts for three years and can be extended once for an additional three years. The H-1B is designed for occupations that require highly specialized knowledge, such as scientists, engineers, computer programmers, and medical professionals. A visa for those who want to work for a US company is the O-1 visa. The O-1 is for those with extraordinary achievements in their field, like actors, musicians, or authors. Several things make these visas unique: - They are granted to people who are already established in their field. These visas are ideal for established professionals who want to relocate to the US temporarily to work in their field.

Employment-Based Visas: L-1 and H-2B

L-1 visas are granted to employees of a company that has an affiliate in another country. This visa type is ideal for people who are transferring to a US company from another company in their home country. H-2B visas are granted to people who perform temporary, non-agricultural work in the US, like construction or landscaping. These visas are particularly tricky, and whether you qualify for one is often dependent on several variables. Several things make these visas unique: - They are temporary visas. Both of these visas are temporary, and when you finish the work for which you were hired, you will have to leave the US.

Other Common US Work Visas

There are several other common US work visas that you should be aware of and consider if the above two do not apply to your situation. These include: - O-2 visas are granted to artists or individuals who accompany another artist, like a band member or conductor. E-1 visas are granted to people who are involved in negotiating a contract or managing an investment. E-2 visas are granted to people who are employed by a foreign company in a non-management capacity. O-3 visas are granted to family members of people with an O-1 or O-2 visa. P-1 visas are granted to people who are part of a specific athletic team, like a sports team or orchestra.

US Work Visa Requirements

Before applying for a work visa, there are three requirements a foreign national and potential employer must meet. If they do not meet all three, the US Embassy might deny the visa application. These preconditions are as follows:

Job Offer

A foreign national who wishes to work in the United States temporarily must have first applied for and received an offer for a job in the United States to qualify fo a work visa. This is because the US Embassy requires several documents from your employer before you can start your visa application.

Petition by Employer

Once a foreign national has been offered a job, the potential employer must file a petition on their behalf. Employers must submit a Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129) to the USCIS. Without an approved petition, a person cannot even begin the application process for a work visa. Even with an approved petition, a work visa is not guaranteed.

Approval by the Department of Labor

Some of the work visas require that the employer receive a certificate from the DOL before submitting their petition. Specifically:

• H-1B
• H-1B1
• H-2A
• H-2B

The certificate from the DOL proves that the employer needs foreign workers and is unable to fill the open position with a worker from the United States.

US Work Visa Application Process

After fulfilling the three prequalifying conditions and receiving an approved petition from USCIS, and also the necessary document, then you qualify to start your application for the US work visa. The way you can apply is by completing the following steps:

Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160)

The information you enter into the DS-160 form must all be truthful and correct. If you submit any incorrect information, the Embassy will have reason enough to deny you the visa. While the application is available in different languages, all answers must be in English. Once this form is complete and submitted, the confirmation page must be printed.

Schedule an Interview

After applying, you will be required to schedule an interview at a US Embassy in the country where they live. You must have your approved petition receipt number to schedule the interview. Wait times for an appointment vary by country. Due to the high number of applications that US Embassies receive, you should make sure that you schedule your interview as soon as you meet all the requirements. The interview is only required for people between the ages of 14 and 79, but there can be exceptions if you are just renewing your visa.

Attend the Interview

Preparation is essential to ensure a successful interview. You will be required to pay a non-refundable visa application fee before the interview. You also need to gather all required documentation to bring to the interview. You may require additional documentation depending on your home country. You should check the embassy or consulate website to make sure they have all the necessary documents. Required documents include:

• Valid passport
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application confirmation page
• Application fee payment receipt
• Passport photo that meets guidelines
• Approved petition receipt number

At the interview, you will meet with a consulate officer. The officer will review the application and ask a series of questions. It is crucial, to be honest, and thorough in answering these questions. Officers are trained to detect deception and will deny a visa if they feel the applicant is dishonest.

Complete additional procedures

You will be required to give digital fingerprints before, during, or after your interview depending on your location, as well as pay any additional fees. After the visa processing, if the US Embassy gives you the work visa, you might also be required to pay a visa issuance fee. The amount of the visa issuance fee is determined based on your country of origin.

Bottom Line

Applying for a US work visa can be difficult and tedious, but it’s worth it. Working in the US is an incredible experience, and having the option to do so temporarily is an amazing opportunity. You’ll need to do your research and be prepared. This means having the right documents, like a detailed resume; submitting a strong application, and making sure that you get all the required vaccinations. But with the right help and guidance, it’s possible to successfully navigate this process and achieve your goal. Follow the link below to visit the official website of the US immigration authority for more detailed information.