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US Work Visa
Work in the US
The United States offers many job opportunities across many industries. It is ranked as the best country for accepting talent worldwide. Individuals can increase their chances of obtaining a US work visa and pursuing their professional desires in the United States.
Why apply for a US Work Visa?
- Issues over 1 million work visas annually (H-1B, L-1, O-1 visas)
- High demand for H-1B visas, with nearly 700,000 registrations every year
- Earn $70,000 to $100,000+ per annum (varies with the job role, location, industry, and experience)
- More than 10 million job vacancies are expected in the coming decade
- Work for 40 hours per week, with job flexibility
U.S. Work Visa for Indians
The United States has a strong attraction for job seekers from India, the leading global economy. However, obtaining a US work visa from India can be difficult and time-consuming. It is important to clearly understand the job application process, visa requirements, and necessary documents. First, understand the available visa types, eligibility criteria, application procedures, and important considerations for Indian applicants. By providing the right knowledge, you can increase your chances of obtaining a work visa and pursuing your professional desire in the United States.
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USA Work Visa
A USA work visa allows foreign nationals to enter and legally work in the country, often requiring a valid job offer from an employer in the US, who will also file a petition with the USCIS on your behalf. Some of the most common work visas in the US include the H-1B visa for specialty occupations, the L-1 visa for intracompany transferees, and the O-1 visa for extraordinary abilities.
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United States Work Visa Types
The US offers different work visa options for foreign nationals interested in moving to the country for work. Given below are the most common US work visa types, which are basically divided into Temporary Non-Immigrant visas and Permanent (Immigrant) visas.
Temporary non-immigrant work visas
- H Visas: You can apply for H-1B visas for highly qualified and specialized professionals, while H-2A and H-2B visas are for temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers, respectively.
- I Visas: I visas for individuals from the press, including editors, crews, and reporters, allowing them to work long-term in media-related job roles or professions.
- L Visas: L-1 visas are for intra-company transfers; the L-1A visa is for managers and executives (3-year validity), and the L-1B visa is for individuals with highly specialized knowledge.
- O Visas: O visas are for individuals with extraordinary abilities and skills across top sectors and industries.
- P Visas: The P visas are exclusively for artists and athletes and are generally for event-based durations.
- R Visas: R visas are for religious workers who are members of religious organizations affiliated with the US.
Permanent (Immigrant) work visas
- First Preference EB-1: Individuals with extraordinary abilities in research, arts, athletics, academia, and who do not require a labour market certificate.
- Second Preference EB-2: Individuals with an advanced degree or a foreign equivalent, or those with a minimum of 10 years of prior work experience in a relevant field or occupation, or those whose employment is in the national interest of the US.
- Third Preference EB-3: Individuals with a Bachelor’s degree, skilled and unskilled labourers with a non-temporary job offer from an employer in the US.
- Fourth Preference EB-4: It is a highly specialized visa category that includes religious workers, employees of foreign service posts in the US, non-citizen minors, and retired employees of international organizations.
- Fifth Preference EB-5: The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program applies to individuals who invest at least 1.8 million USD in a new enterprise that has employed at least 10 full-time US workers, or invest at least 900,000 USD in a new commercial venture that employs at least 10 full-time US workers.
Types of US Work Visas
Here are the types of US Temporary Work Visas:
| Visa Type | Occupation | Work Type |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B visa | Person in Specialty Occupation | To work in a specialty occupation |
| H-1B1 visa | Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional | To work in a specialty occupation |
| H-2A visa | Temporary Agricultural Worker | For temporary or seasonal agricultural work |
| H-2B visa | Temporary Non-agricultural Worker | For temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work |
| H-3 visa | Trainee or Special Education visitor | To receive training |
| I visa | Representatives of Foreign Media | The visa allows journalists and those who work in the information or media sector. |
| L1 visa | Intracompany Transferee | To work in a position requiring specialized knowledge |
| P-1 visa | Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group | To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group. |
| P-2 visa | Artist or Entertainer | For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and another country. |
| P-3 visa | Artist or Entertainer | To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic |
| R-1 visa | Temporary Non-immigrant Religious Workers | To help foreign nationals to come to the US and work in a religious organization |
| TN visa | NAFTA Workers | This visa temporarily allows lawyers, scientists, engineers, and teachers from Canada to work in the US. |
| O1 Visa | Visa for persons with extraordinary abilities | The O1 visa is for those with expert knowledge in science, business, education, athletics, or art, including international recognition for their work. |
H-1B work visa
The H1B work visa is introduced by an employer in the United States. The employer must have an open job position, and if they cannot find an American employee suitable for that position, they can hire employees from other countries. This position might require higher education degrees or specialized skills. Thousands of people move to the USA every year to work on H1B visas.
Also, read...
How to apply for the US H-1B Visa?
H-2B work visa
Foreign workers can apply for work visas after being sponsored by a US employer and have the chance to work in the US for a specified period of time. The H-2B visa jobs are designed for certain industries that experience demand surges and illustrate a need for additional temporary workers. Industries that qualify to hire H-2B workers include:
- Hospitality
- Cruise Ships
- Resorts and Theme Parks
- Construction
- Ski resorts
- Golf courses
- Maintenance and Janitorial
- Landscaping
- Water Parks
- Warehouses
- Restaurants and bars
- Retail stores
- Sports and athletics, etc.
TN work visa
The non-immigrant TN work visa allows citizens of Mexico and Canada, as NAFTA professionals, to work in the United States in pre-planned business activities for U.S. or foreign employers. Permanent residents of Mexico and Canada cannot apply for TN visas to work as NAFTA professionals.
O1 Work Visa
The O1 visa for the US is a non-immigrant type of visa. It is issued to foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities or achievements in their field. The O1 visa aims at individuals in education, science, or the arts; it is also referred to as an artist’s visa or an extraordinary ability visa.
Also, read...
USA Job Market: Trends & Job Opportunities
US Work Visa Requirements
The USA work visa requirements are given below –
- The applicant must have a sponsor.
- Proof of educational qualifications
- Proof of English language proficiency
- An employment offer from a US-based company
- Work experience certificate (If applicable)
- Approval from the USCIS
- DS-160 form
- Copies of I-129 & I-797 forms
Also, read...
Highest paying Jobs Opportunities in USA for Indians
How to apply for a US Work Visa?
You can follow the basic steps given below to apply for a USA work visa:
Step 1: Choose the right US work visa that best suits your job category
Step 2: Check your eligibility for the USA work visa
Step 3: Gather all the requirements for the USA work visa
Step 4: Apply for the work visa by filling out an online application
Step 5: Schedule an appointment at the nearest local embassy
Step 6: Attend the visa interview and get the visa to the USA
*Want to apply for a US visa? Talk to experts at Y-Axis to help you with the process.
US Work Visa Cost
The USA work visa fee costs around $160 to $190 and differs from the work visa type. The table given below has complete information on the kind of USA work visas and their processing fee:
| USA work visa | Processing fees |
|---|---|
| J visa | $160 |
| L-1 visa | $190 |
| H-1B visa | $190 |
| H-2B visa | $190 |
| O1 visa | $190 |
Also, read...
What are the most in-demand jobs in the USA for the next 10 years?
USA Work Visa Processing Time
The processing time for the USA work visa generally takes around three weeks to 8 months from the date of application. The processing time differs with the work visa type applied for and the submission date. The table below has a complete list of U.S. work visas and their processing times.
| USA work visa | Processing time |
|---|---|
| J visa | 1 to 4 months |
| L-1 visa | 2 to 4 months |
| H-1B visa | 3 to 8 months |
| H-2B visa | 2 to 4 months |
| O visa | 2 to 3 months |
US Work Visa Apply Online
To apply for a US work visa, first complete the online non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160. This form takes approximately 90 minutes to complete, and you must also upload a photo of yourself to submit with your application.
After completing your application, take a print of the DS-160 barcode page and keep it with you. Also, print the application form confirmation page; you must carry both copies to your visa interview. You must also pay a non-refundable visa processing fee of $190 (USD).
Once you have submitted your application and paid the fee, you must schedule a visa interview at your nearest US embassy or consulate.
How can Y-Axis help you?
Y-Axis, the world's top overseas immigration consultancy, provides unbiased immigration services for every client based on their interests and requirements. Our impeccable services at Y-Axis include the following:
- Expert guidance/counseling for working in the United States
- Assistance in applying visa
- Coaching Services: IELTS/TOEFL Proficiency Coaching
- Free career counseling; book your slot today!
- Resume Marketing services to find related Jobs in the United States