What type of US employment visa is most suitable for your role?
Navigating the intricacies of obtaining a US employment visa can be a daunting task for ambitious applicants seeking opportunities to work in the United States.
Even with the perfect resume, visas can make the application process slightly more complicated and can even lengthen the process of landing that dream role.
Understanding the nuances of the visa application process, the various visa categories available, and the requirements for eligibility can be essential for those aspiring to pursue employment opportunities in the US.
What Is A US Employment Visa?
A US employment visa is a document that allows foreign nationals to legally work in the United States either temporarily or permanently.
These visas are issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They are categorised based on the nature of the employment, the duration of stay, and the individual’s skills and qualifications.
Who Needs A US Employment Visa?
Those who are not already US citizens or lawful permanent residents (also known as green card holders) typically will need a US employment visa to work legally in the country.
This includes all foreign nationals who wish to work temporarily or permanently in the US and do not have US citizenship or permanent residency status.
Employment visas may also be necessary for those looking to complete training or apprenticeships in the US.
Types Of US Work Visa
US work visas are divided into two main categories: temporary non-immigrant visas and permanent immigrant visas.
To work in the US, whether on a seasonal basis or in a permanent role, you will need a visa.
It’s important to apply for the correct type of visa (one that you are eligible for) so as not to slow down the process. You will likely need an employment contract to prove your eligibility.
Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas
There are several non-permanent visas available for working and training in the US.
H Visa
H Visas, generally, are designed for those with a specific, in-demand profession. Those who qualify for H visas can also have expertise in an academic speciality.
H-1B visas, specifically, are designed for those who hold a college degree or an equivalent in work experience. With a three-year residency cap, these can be a good short-term option.
Employers will need to prove a lack of suitable applicants in the US. As the applicant, you will need to evidence a degree or experience and have secured a role to receive an H-1B visa.
H-2A and H-2B visas are available for seasonal or temporary workers in agricultural and non-agricultural fields. These are typically a maximum of one year.
For those exploring training in the US, H-3 visas are a good option. These programs are designed for individuals who wish to pursue careers outside of the US but prefer to undergo training within the United States. This is not suitable for graduate medical training or special education training.
I Visa
The I visa is for representatives of foreign media, including journalists, reporters, and film crews, who are working in the US on behalf of a foreign media organization. The length of an I visa will depend on and last for the duration of employment with the associated organization.
L Visa
The L visa category is for intracompany transferees who work for a multinational company and are transferred to a US branch, affiliate, subsidiary, or parent company.
The type of L visa most appropriate may depend on management level or whether specialist knowledge is the primary reason for transfer. This can impact the permitted length of stay.
O Visa
The O visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, as well as those with extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry.
This visa can also apply to the travelling family of the recognised individual.
P Visa
Primarily, P visas serve events and cover individuals excelling in performance, arts, or athletic specialisms. These visas may also extend to immediate family members of those fitting into this category.
R Visa
An R visa is a nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals who are religious workers. It allows entry to the US temporarily to work in a religious capacity for a qualifying religious organization.
In most cases, an R visa can be granted for up to five years. It’s important to note that the R visa is specific to religious workers and requires visa sponsorship from a qualifying religious organization in the US.
TN NAFTA Visa
NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) visas permit qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens temporary access to the US for professional activity.
Permanent Immigrant Visas
Employment-based (EB) visas are the permanent residency option for those looking to live and work in the US. Approximately 140,000 employment-based green cards are available each year for highly skilled workers and their families.
EB-1 Visa
The EB-1 visa is for those with “extraordinary ability”. This can include professors or researchers as well as those specialising in science, arts or athletics. This type of visa does not require a labour certification.
EB-2 Visa
The EB-2 visa is reserved for those who have advanced degrees (exceeding bachelor’s degree or equivalent) or can evidence 10 years of experience in a field that is considered in-demand in the US.
EB-3 Visa
EB-3 visas are for those who hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent or are skilled or unskilled workers with an offer of permanent employment from a US business.
EB-4 Visa
The EB-4 visa is for special immigrants. This includes religious workers, employees of international organizations, and other individuals with specific qualifications or circumstances.
EB-5 Visa
The EB-5 visa is an immigrant investor program. It allows foreign investors and their immediate families to obtain US green cards by investing a significant amount of capital (min. 900,000 USD) in a qualifying US business.
Visa Sponsorships
Many ambitious US employers sponsor foreign nationals for work visas, particularly for temporary non-immigrant visas like the H-1B visa.
It allows hiring teams to access a more broad applicant pool to find the very best talent. In science and engineering industries, this can be particularly valuable.
Visa sponsorship involves the employer petitioning the USCIS on behalf of the employee. They must provide evidence of the individual’s qualifications and the need for employment.
Searching For Jobs In The US
Navigating the US job market as a foreign national can be daunting, but you don’t have to do it alone. There are many resources designed to help both employers and potential applicants with the visa application process.
We help jobseekers to land their dream roles in what is a competitive and complex job market and this, in turn, can help evidence employment for an application.
Specialising in high-paying engineering roles, we help to optimise resumes and perfect LinkedIn profiles. Mock interviews are also an option to properly prepare to stand out from the crowd.
About the author
Mollie Buttery
Writer | SEO | Articles & Blog Posts | Social Media
Mollie supports ULTMECHE through website growth, social media, SEO, and other digital marketing tricks. Mollie has 10+ years experience of in house and freelance marketing experience in industries such as Finance, Law, SAAS, Automotive, Building Services, Commerce, and more. Some of her favorite writing topics consist of sports and finance. Mollie has been key to the growth of ULTMECHE’s SEO and digital marketing efforts.
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