The United States has designed a visa budget for international workers looking to live and work legally in the states.
It’s expected that this budget will cover application fees, associated costs, as well as serve as a bond under specific programs available in the US.
Certain US institutions offer summer research fellowships that provide stipends to international participants worth about $15,000.
Benefits of US Visa Sponsorship
1. Legal Work Authorization
Sponsored visa allows beneficiaries to live and work in the US in specialized fields. This is a great advantage for professionals in viable industries such as technology, healthcare, education, and finance.
2. Pathway to Permanent Residency
Visas such as H-1B or EB-2/EB-3 are sponsored by many employers. However, such visas being sponsored can lead to permanent residency over time. This way, visa holders can stay in the US for a long time as well as enjoy other benefits.
3. Career Growth
Visas are often sponsored for foreign professionals by US companies, providing access to better career opportunities, exposure to global markets, as well as professional development in a highly competitive environment.
4. Family Inclusion
Sponsored employees are allowed to bring their immediate family members comprising the spouse and children under dependent visa categories like H-4 for H-1B holders or L-2 for L-1 holders.
5. Higher Earning Potential
The US job market offers competitive salaries and benefits compared to other countries, allowing visa holders to access and improve their financial well-being.
6. Cultural and Professional Exposure
The US work environment allows individuals to access and experience diverse cultures, work environments, and networking opportunities, valuable for professional and personal growth.
Understanding the US Visa Sponsorship
A work visa is an authorization that allows international workers entrance into the United States to live and work for a specified period.
The employer or company sponsors these visas; however, they must demonstrate that the worker possesses specialized skills or knowledge that are not available in the US local labor market.
Obtaining a work visa involves several steps, which include but are not limited to filing a petition with the US immigration authorities and meeting specific regulatory requirements.
For employees considering this path, understanding the intricacies of various visa types such as L-1, and O-1 visas becomes very essential.
Pathway to the US Sponsorship Visa
There are several pathways through which you can make specific entry into the US with the employer work visa. However, each of these pathways differs operationally, considering professionalism and areas of specialization.
Be sure to understand the visa route that meets your situation and requirements so as to have a smooth and seamless application.
The Temporary Nonimmigrant Visa
A temporary work visa permits foreign workers to enter the US and work for a certain period of time.
To apply for a work permit in the US, your employer must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
This means you must first apply and be accepted for a job in the US by an employer before you can apply for a temporary nonimmigrant visa.
On acceptance of the petition by the USCIS, you are free to apply for a temporary nonimmigrant visa in the US.
You are permitted to work in the US temporarily as determined by the work contract with your employer.
Your stay in the US can be extended by applying for an extension of stay, which can be approved by the USCIS.
However, there are many types of work visas available, and each type is specific to an industry, type of job, or reason for employment.
When applying for a work visa in the US, be sure to choose the right type of visa specific to your job type. Learning about the visa types allows you to understand which one meets your situation.
1. The H Visa Series
The H-series of work visas cover five categories of work visas and apply to employees working in specialized careers.
With the H series, spouses and children younger than 21 can also apply for admission into the US under the H-4 nonimmigrant classification.
STEM roles in the US require the H-1B visas. The list below highlights each of the H type labor visas in the US and who can apply.
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H-1B: Person in specialty occupation – Covers specialty jobs, including fashion modeling, government-to-government research and development, and co-production projects assigned by the Department of Defense. A higher education degree or equivalent qualification is required to apply.
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H-3 Training or specialty education visitor: Relevant for training opportunities not available in the trainee’s home country, outside of the graduate medical or academic fields. This work visa is also valid for practical training programs related to educating children with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
2. L Visas
L work visas are designed for jobs that involve working at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of an employer, usually in a managerial executive role, or an equivalent position that requires specialized knowledge.
As a requirement for this visa, the applicant must have been employed abroad by the same employer for at least one year within the last three years.
This visa is needed for job roles with advanced tasks and responsibilities, such as general manager, country coordinator, or other similar executive positions.
This visa does not permit family to travel with you.
3. P Visa
P work visas are for jobs related to athletics, entertainment, or art, and also cover anyone providing essential services to support you, such as a coach or trainer. P visas are split into three:
- P-1: For anyone performing at an athletic competition as an athlete or part of an entertainment group.
- P-2: For individual performers or entertainment groups taking part in an exchange program between the US and another country.
- P-3: For teaching or coaching in a program that involves traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performances and presentations.
Your spouse and children younger than 21 are permitted to travel with you by obtaining P-4 status.
How to Apply for a US Sponsorship Visa
Having chosen the right US work authorization visa which matches your job category and requirements, and your employer’s petition is approved, it’s time to start preparing to apply for your labor visa in the US.
This process may be different for certain visas, however, usually follows the below steps:
1. Gather Your Paperwork/Documents
Prior to attending your visa interview, be sure to keep the following documents ready:
- Confirmation page for your nonimmigrant visa application, Form DS-160
- Receipt of your application fee payment
- Copy of photo to be used for your visa
- Receipt number of your employer’s approved petition as it appears on Form I-129 or Form I-797
- Valid passport
You may require additional documents depending on the type of labor visa in the US you have applied for. Be sure to check with your local US embassy or consulate on the exact document you need.
2. Complete the Application Form
You need to fill out the application form to apply for US work authorization, Form DS-160.
It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete the form, and you also have to upload a photo of yourself to submit with your application.
Having completed your application, print a copy of the DS-160 barcode page and keep it safe. Also, print the application form confirmation page. You must bring this to your visa interview.
You will pay a nonrefundable processing fee of $190; keep the receipt of this fee payment too, as it will be required at your interview.
Once you have submitted your application and have paid the fee, you need to schedule a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
3. Attend Visa Interview
You are interviewed by a consular officer at your visa interview, who will ask you about your reasons for traveling and plans after completing your work, among other questions to evaluate if you meet the specific visa requirements.
When you pass your interview for a work visa in the US, it’s time to celebrate! You can start preparing for your trip to the US.
Pathway to Permanent Residency in the US
To apply for a green card, you must be eligible under one of the listed categories below. Having found the category that fits your situation, commence the process.
1. Permanent Residency/Green Card Through Employment
You can apply for permanent residency as an immigrant worker if:
- You are a first preference immigrant worker, which means you have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- You are a second preference immigrant worker, meaning you are a member of a profession that requires an advanced degree, or exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business.
- You are a third preference immigrant worker, meaning you are a skilled worker, meaning your job requires a minimum of 2 years training or work experience.
2. Permanent Resident Through Family
You may be eligible to apply as an immediate relative of a US citizen if you are the:
- Spouse of the citizen
- Unmarried child under the age of 21 of a US citizen
- Parent of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old.
You may be eligible to apply as another relative of a US citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories if you are the:
- Unmarried son or daughter of a US citizen and are 21 years old or older.
- Married son or daughter of a US citizen who is at least 21 years old.
- Family member of a lawful permanent resident, such as the spouse of a lawful permanent resident or unmarried child under the age of 21 of a lawful permanent resident.
- Fiancée of a US citizen or the fiancée’s child.
3. Permanent Resident as a Special Immigrant
You may be eligible to apply as a religious worker if you:
- Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the US to work for a nonprofit religious organization.
You may be eligible to apply as a special immigrant juvenile if you:
- Are a juvenile who needs the protection of a juvenile court because you have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent.
Required Documents for US Permanent Residence Permit
The required documents depend on your eligibility category. However, the process involves submitting an immigrant petition and then Form I-485.
For employment-based applications, your employer will submit Form I-140. Additional documents like a valid passport, birth certificate, two passport photographs, biometrics, and medical examination results are required.
How to Apply for Permanent Residence in the US
If you are already in the US and have an approved immigration petition, you can apply for a green card by filling Form I-485 with USCIS. In some cases, you may file the immigrant petition and Form I-485 together.
Having submitted, you’ll attend a biometric appointment and possibly an interview before you receive a decision.
If you are outside the US, you will apply through your local US embassy or consulate. You’ll submit your visa application once a visa becomes available in your category.
After approval, you will attend an interview at the consulate. If successful, you’ll receive an immigrant visa to enter the US as a permanent resident, and your green card will be mailed to you after arrival.
How Can I Get a Sponsor to Work in the USA?
Look for companies known for sponsoring visas and check their job postings regularly. Develop skills that are highly sought-after in the US job market, such as analytical thinking, management skills, digital marketing, full stack development, web design, software development, etc.
Who Can Sponsor You for a US Visa?
Employers or companies looking to hire international talents with exceptional qualities can sponsor you to the US under the work visa category.
An immediate relative who is either at least 21 years of age and is either a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident.
How Can I Find an Employer to Sponsor Me in the US?
- Job boards: Use job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor to find job postings that offer visa sponsorship.
- Direct application: Apply directly on company websites for positions that interest you.
- Recruitment agencies: Consider working with recruitment agencies that specialize in placing foreign workers.
Conclusion
The United States has designed a visa budget for international workers looking to live and work legally in the states.
It’s expected that this budget will cover application fees, associated costs, as well as serve as a bond under specific programs available in the US.
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