Starting a Job in the US
After you graduate from college in the United States, there is an open opportunity to seek a job in the United States. International students or non-immigrants can work in the United States if and only they have a legitimate work visa or permit to work depending on the type of job they are applying for.
Overview of U.S. Work Visas
There are many forms of U.S. work visas depending on the kind of work you are looking to do. Some of the most common temporary work visas include:
- H1B Visa: These jobs require higher education and provide a three-year visa, not necessarily renewed for three years.
- H2A Visa: These are temporary agricultural workers.
- H2B Visa: These are temporary non-agricultural workers.
- L1 Visa: This is an intracompany transfer visa.
- P Visas: This visa is for athletes, performers, and entertainment groups.
- R1 Visa: These are religious workers.
- O1 Visa : Persons of extraordinary ability in science, education, or arts.
Eligibility
To qualify for a US work visa, you need to Passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay Proof of payment for visa Fill out the Nonimmigrant Visa Application form. Provide proof of economic stability, family relationships, and other plans to demonstrate that you will return to your country of origin after working in the U.S.
Application Process
This depends on the type of visa. For most types, it begins with the employer filing Form I-129 to USCIS. Upon approval, you can apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy. Next, you are required to provide the following: Photocopy of your passport.
- Visa application is submitted.
- Visa payment proof;
- Evidence that you will leave the U.S. after receiving a job.
H1B and H2, among others, also require a certification issued by the Department of Labor, which states that hiring a foreign worker will not adversely affect other U.S. workers.
