Work Visa For The United States: Everything You Need To Know

Since there are so many job openings across the US, looking for a job there can be a great choice after getting your degree from a US university and getting ready to start your professional career. A nonimmigrant or former foreign student in the US may need to apply for a work pass or a work visa. Depending on the kind of work you intend to undertake. 

Why Are You Excited To Work in the United States of America?

The United States is a popular destination for workers from all over the world due to its abundance of job opportunities, good standard of living, and high salary.  For people who eventually want to apply for a Green Card to obtain permanent residency, working in the USA can be a crucial first step.

Types Of Work Visas

Following are the main types of work visas that would allow you to work legally in the United States; 

H Visas

The H-series covers five different types of work visas, primarily intended for workers in specialized fields. If the spouses and the children under the age of 21 can also enter the US who apply for admission under the H-4 nonimmigrant classification with these visas. 

What exactly is an H-1B visa? What is required for an H-1B visa? Who is eligible to apply for each H-type labor visa in the USA is listed in the list below. 

H-1B Visa: Through the H-1B program, employers can hire foreign nationals on a temporary, nonimmigrant basis for specialty jobs or as exceptional fashion models. A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in the relevant specialty (such as the sciences, medicine, health care, education, biotechnology, and business specialties, etc.) is necessary for entry into a specialty occupation in addition to the theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge.

H1-B1 Visa: Employers may temporarily hire foreign nationals in specialty occupations from Chile and Singapore on a nonimmigrant basis under the H-1B1 program. The number of eligible foreign workers who can be granted an H-1B1 visa each year is currently limited to 6,800, with 1,400 coming from Chile and 5,400 from Singapore. 

H-2A Visa: This type of visa, which applies to careers involving seasonal agricultural labor, is restricted to nationals of particular nations, though there may be some exceptions. You can find the complete list of nations whose nationals are qualified to apply for this work visa here.

H-2B Visa: It covers jobs in the hospitality industry and other seasonal non-agricultural fields. With a few exceptions, only nationals of a particular list of nations are eligible for this visa.

H-3 Visa: It is pertinent to training opportunities outside of graduate medical or academic fields that are unavailable in the trainee’s home country. 

L Visas

L work visas are granted for positions involving working in an employer’s branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary; these positions are typically managerial or executive in nature, or they may be equivalent and call for specialized knowledge. Applicants must also have worked abroad for the same employer for at least a year during the previous three years in order to be eligible for this work visa in the USA.

Positions requiring advanced tasks and responsibilities, like general manager, branch manager, country coordinator, or other similar executive positions, are the main ones that require this kind of visa. It should be mentioned that you can’t bring your family along on this work visa; it’s only valid for individuals.

P Visas

P work visas are for occupations in sports, entertainment, or arts. They also cover jobs with trainers coaches or other individuals who provide you with the necessary support services. To accommodate the diverse range of possible careers in this country, Pvisas are divided into three categories: 

• P-1: For participants in athletic competitions who are either members of entertainment groups or athletes. 
• P-2: For lone artists or entertainment ensembles participating in a US-international exchange program
• P-3: For providing instruction or mentoring in a program that features traditional folk, ethnic, musical, theatrical, or artistic presentations and performances

Q Visas

Q work visas are primarily granted for employment and practical training associated with international cultural exchange programs that involve sharing your native country’s customs, history, and culture.

The promotion of historical and cultural exchanges between US and foreign cultures is the primary goal of this type of work visa. To perform the service, provide the training, and successfully communicate cultural nuances, you must be qualified. It’s crucial to remember that this kind of work visa does not allow you to travel with your spouse or kids. 

General Requirements For Application

Following are some of the general requirements for each type of work visa: 

• Offer Of Employment: You must be employed by a US company to be eligible for the work visa. 
• Qualifications and Skills: The proof must be provided that you meet the requirements for the job at hand in terms of qualifications and skills.  
• Complete Documentation: All required paperwork, including application forms, certifications, and supporting documents, must be gathered and sent. 
• Application Costs: All fees related to the visa application must be paid. 

Steps For Securing a Work Visa

• Select the correct type of visa: Locating the visa most suited for your circumstances comes first. Consider your credentials, kind of job you do, and degree of familiarity with American business. You have to choose the appropriate kind of visa.  
• Get a Job: One needs an offer from a US corporation. Your firm normally has to help with your visa.
• Fill out the application: Complete the application form expressly designed for your kind of visa. This might contain form I-129 for several work cards sponsored by different companies.
• Send in the Application; Send your application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or US consulate in your country of residence. The supporting documentation is required to be added. 
• Hold off until approval: You need to wait for approval after submitting your application. The type of visa and the volume of the applications need to determine the processing times. 
• Participate in the interview (if required): The US consulate will interview for certain work visas. You need to be ready to respond to inquiries regarding your job and background. 
• Make travel arrangements and get the visa: You will get your visa and be able to arrange your relocation to the US after the visa is accepted.

What to Do

It’s not easy to get a work visa for the US, but you can improve your chances if you are well-prepared and have the right information.  We hope that this guide has helped you learn about the different types of work visas and the standards for each one in 2024. We hope everything goes well for you as you look for work in the US and get in touch with the US Area Immigration Services.