The US government allocates US Visa types to foreign candidates to form employment opportunities in the United States. Every Visa has some requirements and comes with a distinctive application process. These visas serve different purposes, so you must be careful during the US visa process.
Read this blog to learn about work visas, their requirements, the application process, and visa types. But first, let's understand what's work visa is.
What Are Work Visas?
Work visas are granted to foreign candidates to allow them to work temporarily in the US. Therefore, their stay in the United States is limited.
The temporary employment visit consists of short-term business trips, temporary work, and trading. US employers of the company provide these visas to their prospective employees.
On the other hand, if any foreigner wishes to settle down in the United States permanently, they apply for an immigrant visa, also known as Green Card or lottery.
There is no single work visa for international candidates as it varies according to the purpose.
However, several tickets are available according to the background of the foreigner. Therefore, an employment visa USA is mandatory for all nonimmigrants seeking temporary work.
However, to grant work visas to international candidates, US employers must remember these significant principles:
- Employees cannot get Visa without an employment offer: The first step for the US visa application process for a work visa is the employment offer from the employer. Without this letter, you are ineligible to apply for a work visa. Therefore, if you wish to work in a reputable US company, apply for the job and seek a job offer. Your employer will represent you and file a petition to grant you a work permit.
- It is illegal to be employed in the US if you don't have a work visa: a US work visa is a mandatory requirement from the day you step foot in American land. Additionally, you must leave the US a day before your Visa expires. It doesn’t matter how long your business trip is; a work visa is a must.
Note: International employees already working in the US can apply to extend the date of their US work visa.
These were some crucial principles for foreigners working in the US. Now, let’s understand the work visa types..
Popular Work Visa Types
- E-Visa/E-Registration: This visa category allows the holder to take full employment opportunities in the United States. So, it doesn’t matter whether you have arrived in the US for a business trip or a short-term assignment; an e-visa is relevant for all purposes. To employ this Visa, the companies must participate in e-registration at the US consulate.
- E-1 Visa: Also known as Treaty Trader Visa, E-1 Visa applies to wholesale and small companies who wish to trade in the US on behalf of their customers. Mostly, the companies are qualified for this visa type.
- E-2 Visa: E-2 Visa is a Treaty Investor Visa, allocated for entrepreneurs that have invested a hefty amount of money in the US economy. The investors then invest in the new company and the company’s branch or purchase the company in the US.
- C-1/D Visa: The Combined Transit and Crewman Visa is generally issued to pilots and flight attendants. Additionally, the crew members of the ship and service personnel also access this Visa.
- H-1B Visa: The most commonly issued Visa for temporary nonimmigrant workers is the H-1B visa. The Visa is allowed to well-qualified workers, i.e., specialty occupation workers. To qualify for this Visa, you must produce the relevant academic degree. Also, as it is based on an annual quota system, the H-1B visa becomes unavailable quickly.
- I-Visa: I Visa or I-journalist Visa is introduced for candidates with a media background. Therefore, I-visa is granted to the people in the press, broadcasting, and media. It is mandatory to mention the purpose of stay and report events of the US in a document.
- L-1 Visa: The L-1 visa is only for managers, specialists, and executives. Therefore, the L-1 Visa is popularly employed for internal workers' transfers to the US.
- L-1 Blanket Registration/Visa: The L-Blanket registration is deployed to the companies registered as ‘Blanket’ by the US to worldwide employees. Its procedure is straightforward.
- O-1 Visa: O-1 Visa is designed for people with extraordinary skills and abilities in art, engineering, science, sports, and media. However, candidates will be thoroughly verified before giving an O-1 visa.
- TN Visa: Only Mexican and Canadian citizens are eligible for TN visas.
- B-1 Visa: B-1 is a temporary business visa with three months of validity. B-1 Visa is issued to business people traveling to the US for short-term business trips.
What Are The Requirements For A Work Visa?
All the candidates must address each requirement for a US work visa. These requirements apply to employees and employers. So, let’s understand the employers’ needs:
- Grab the Legal Form of the company
- Determine the aspects of the US site
- Specify the company size
- Company’s constellation and ownership
- Company’s strategy
Employee’s Requirement:
- State the nationality
- Attach the educational qualifications
- Mention the purpose and duration of stay
- State the length of service
- Other work qualifications (if you have any)
- Marital status
These were some of the employee’s and employers’ essential requirements to attain a work visa in the US. However, there might be some variations depending on the US visa type. Now, we’ll understand the application process for Visa.
The Application Process For A Work Visa
Your employer files the petition to the USCIS for your work visa and fills out the I-129 Form at the US consulate. If the petition succeeds, employees and employers get the approval notice called I-797 from USCIS. Furthermore, the consulate starts your work visa’s consular processing.
Well, now we know all the US visa processes both future employees and employers should address. So, let’s get into the topic and understand what Visa you need.
Seek Professional Help
This was the overview of all the active work visas granted to international candidates regularly to enter the US legally. Get more information about the Visa that suits you. Once the visa application proceeds, you will be appointed for a US visa interview at US consulates.
Moreover, it is always good to take some professional advice and guidance to rock the interview round and get the opportunity to work in the US.