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The USA is one of the best destinations to work abroad. The country offers a high quality of life, higher pay, and career opportunities. However, to work in the US, an individual requires a US work visa. Interested people can apply for a work visa as a temporary employee or a sponsored/permanent employee. The temporary workers are required to apply for a US nonimmigrant visa and a sponsored employee has to apply for an immigrant visa. Keep reading to learn about work visa USA requirements in detail.
| Visa Name | Work visa USA |
| Validity | Maximum 6 years |
| Fee | $185.00 |
| Processing Time | 2-7 months |
This Blog Includes:
What is the US Work Visa?
The American work visa is provided for temporary workers for a specific duration. The employment contract would mention the duration of stay or the visa application. A temporary work visa does not allow a foreign national to work in America permanently. Applicants have to meet the Work Visa USA requirements and submit the relevant documents to be considered for a USA temporary work visa.
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Types of USA Temporary Visa
There are different types of USA temporary visas. These are as follows:
| Type of temporary work visa | Purpose |
| H-1B1: Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional – Chile, Singapore | Available to work in a speciality occupation.Requires a post-secondary degree involving at least four years of study in the field of specialization |
| H-1B: Person in Specialty Occupation | Available to work in a speciality occupation. co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense. Requires a higher education degree or its equivalent |
| H-2B: Temporary Non-agricultural Worker | For temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work. |
| H-2A: Temporary Agricultural Worker | Temporary or seasonal agricultural work. Available to nationals of designated countries. |
| L: Intracompany Transferee | To work at a branch, affiliate, parent, or subsidiary of the current employer in a managerial or executive capacity, or a position requiring specialized knowledge. |
| H-3:Trainee or Special Education visitor | To receive training, other than graduate medical or academic that is not available in the home country of the applicant |
| O: Individual with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement | For people with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, etc |
| Q-1: Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program | For practical training and employment and for sharing the history, culture, and traditions of your home count |
| P-1: Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group | For performance at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group |
| P-3: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group) | To perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation |
| P-2: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group) | For performance under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country. |
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Work Visa USA Requirements: Qualifications
Individuals interested in a US work visa must meet the 3 work visa USA requirements. Those who do not meet any 1 of the qualifications will not be considered for the visa.
- The applicant must have an employment offer letter from a US company.
- The employer must have received approval on a petition ( I-129 form) from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Specific work visas such as H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, and H-2B visas require that the employer receive a certification from the Department of Labor (DOL). This is to prove that the position cannot be filled by US employees.
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Work Visa USA Requirements: Documents
The work visa USA requirements in terms of the documents are provided below. Applicants must submit these documents to be considered for a US work visa.
- The applicant must have a valid passport and submit a photograph for the US visa.
- The Receipt Number provided in the 1-29 form
- A confirmation letter regarding the successful completion of the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160 Form).
- Receipt of the visa application fees ($190 for the work visa)
- Proof of return to the home country. For example, providing long-term plans
- L Visa, applicants must also fill out the I-129S form
- Any additional documents, if required
USA Work Visa Application Process
Those who meet the qualification requirements and have submitted the relevant documents can apply for a US work visa.
- First, fill out Form DS-160) or the Nonimmigrant Visa Application form and print the confirmation page
- Schedule an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The criteria do not apply to those who are younger than 13 years or more than 80 years.
- Attend the interview. Depending on the success of the interview and the information on the DS-160 form, the applicant will be provided with the visa.
- Complete any additional requirements. For example, provide the biometric information before or after the interview.
- Pay the visa insurance fee after the visa processing.
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Rights and Responsibilities of the Work Visa Holder
The rights and responsibilities of the US work visa holder are as follows:
- The US work visa holder is given a set of rights by the American government. For example, the visa holder is protected against any violence or exploitation. Reporting of such events will not result in visa cancellation
- The work visa holder can extend their stay if the embassy approves it
- The applicant can also apply for a visa for their spouse or children in the same visa category. For example, H visas, O visas, and P visas, among others
FAQs
To get a US work visa the employer has to file a petition with the USCIS or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Moreover, the applicant must meet the eligibility requirements of the visa and must submit relevant documents.
Those interested in working in the US must apply for an immigrant or a non immigrant visa. The applicant can be a foreign worker who does not have a permanent residence in the USA. The US work permit can cost anywhere from s $410 to $495.
To get a work permit from the US, the visa application must be filled at a US consulate. Next, the visa interview process must be attended by the candidate. The applicant must meet the work visa US requirements and must submit the relevant documents.
We hope you now understand what a work visa USA is, its requirements, the application process, etc. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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