The United States of America welcomes visitors from all over the world. The visitors arrive for various purposes such as employment, tourism, permanent immigration, business trips, etc. 

However, the only route to get entry to the US is through a visa. Therefore, if you embark on an international journey, you must know all travel requirements to avoid mishaps.  

Now, there are different Visas available that suit other purposes. For example, for tourism, you need a tourist Visa and for employment, H-1B Visa. 

In this blog, we’ll look at the insights of H-1B Visa and the US Visa Process.

First, let’s understand the H-1B Visa in detail.

What Is An H-1B Visa?

H-1B, sometimes called a Nonimmigrant Work Visa, a foreign  employee seeks an H-1B Visa from the US government which will grant them permission to work for the US employers in their country. To qualify for the H-1B Visa Process, candidates must have a bachelor's or equivalent degree. 

Now we know the meaning of the H-1B Visa, so let’s know its eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria For H-1B Visa

Here is the eligibility requirement that you must fulfill in order to obtain for H-1B Visa:

• Candidates must have a job offer letter from a US employer.
• You must possess all the equivalent knowledge regarding the job role, For example, a bachelor’s degree.
• Employers must submit the application stating that only a few qualified US applicants for the job role they are offering you.

After taking the eligibility criteria into consideration; it is essential to  look at the H-1B Visa Process.

What Is The H-1B Visa Process?

When prospective employees are selected for the H-1B Visa, their employer must file a petition representing them.

Therefore, employers submit Labor Condition Applications (LCA). The LCA goes to the Department of Labor to qualify for certification. Its primary purpose is to extract confirmation from employers that they will pay the same salary to the nonimmigrant as their US employees. 

Moreover, to confirm that foreign employees’ living conditions would not affect the current employees.

Once your employers confirm all these conditions and are selected for the same, they must file Form I-129 Petition to LCA and USCIS. They have to pay additional fees and documents. These documents include the following:

• Education evidence
• Training certificate
• Membership documents
• Resume
• Employment confirmation letter
• Letter of support

When the F-129 Form is approved by both LCA and USCIS, employees must wait until their H-1B Visa status goes live. Then, if you are outside the US, you must apply for consular processing. 

You have to present for the Interview with valid documents. Once you pass the H-1B Visa interview, you will be offered a green card. You can check all your visa processes at your USCIS online account. 

Now you know every detail before you apply for an H-1B visa, let's move further and learn about the US Visa Process.

What Is A US Visa?

In order to enter the United States of America, you must have a Visa. You will be granted a different visa that suits your travelling purpose. 

• You will get a tourist Visa if you are travelling for tourism.
• Nonimmigrants travelling to the US for temporary business will acquire B-1 or B-2 visas.
• For employment opportunities, nonimmigrants get H-1B Visa.
• For further studies in a prestigious institution in the US, students are granted M-Visa.
• J-Visas are granted for Exchange Visas.

Check whether you are eligible for a US visa if you want to travel to the US for any of the earlier-mentioned purposes.

Eligibility Criteria For US Visa

• Country’s passport with six months validity and three blank pages.
• The candidate should not have any criminal record.
• Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree for employment or business purposes. 
• The candidate’s spouse must apply for H-1B Spouse Visa separately.

Your US Visa application will be rejected if you don’t meet the eligibility criteria. 

What Are The Document Requirements?

For Visa, you require the below-mentioned US Visa documents:

• Fill out the online nonimmigrant visa electronic application form, i.e. DS-160. Then, visit your nearby Bureau of Consular Application to regulate your application. 
• A passport must have at least six months of validity date.
• One passport-sized photograph.

Finally, to get the US visa application, the candidate has to pay a $160 fee. If your Visa is granted, then you will pay a reciprocity fee. It differs from country to country. 

Once you meet all the eligibility criteria and present the required documents, you must fill out the DS-160 Form and pay the application fee. Finally, you will be called for a US Visa Interview to confirm your travelling purpose and Visa.

What Is The Interview Process?

All candidates between 14 and 79 years of age must undergo a US visa interview. It is a mandatory process to obtain a US Visa. Therefore, nonimmigrant applicants must contact the US consulate or embassy to schedule the interview appointment. You should seek an interview appointment the moment after submitting the DS-160 Form. 

You will get an Interview Confirmation Letter that mentions the interview date and timing. So, present this letter to the consulate office to allow your Interview to commence. 

Along with the interview confirmation letter, candidates must compile all their documents in front of the US consulate. It gives them proof of your eligibility for a US Visa. Finally, you attend the US Visa Interview.

Things To Remember Before Presenting For A Visa Interview:

• Always appear on time or some minutes before the scheduled time.
• Be honest in the Interview.
• Give relevant answers.
• State the purpose clearly.

This complex your US Visa process. Now, you need to wait for your application’s approval. It may take days to months to know whether your US visa is approved or rejected.

Seek Professional Help

No doubt that the US Visa process for any purpose is complex. However, you can be allowed a US visa with proper eligibility, background, educational qualifications, and documents. Moreover, every year, the US approves millions of Visas for nonimmigrants. So, remember all these insights to ace the US Visa application. 

For better help or smoothening your visa process, you can take help from US Visa consultants at Work Permitz!