Do you want to work in the US? Are you looking for a USA visa sponsorship program for employment? If yes, then this post is for you. Therefore, before you pack your bags and buy your plane ticket, there are a few things you should know. The first and most important requirement is a job and visa sponsorship.
You may be wondering, what exactly is visa sponsorship? We’ll get to that later.
In this post, we’ll go over everything you need to know before you start working in the United States. I’ll go over important topics like visa sponsorship, visa sponsorship letters, and so on.
The USA is a robust global force with rapid economic development. The promise of the American dream and success draws people from all over the world. They want to find work and start new lives in the country.
However, even though many people want to work in the United States, getting one is a difficult process. There are numerous steps that foreign nationals must take in order to work legally in the country.
A crucial step is to obtain US employment sponsorship. This article will go over the specifics and information on US employment visa sponsorship.
Let’s get you ready for your new adventure:
What Is Visa Sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship is a collection of documents that specifies and guarantees a person’s employment status and job profile in the United States. Let’s say you want to relocate to the United States. In that case, you’ll need to find work, and the company must be willing to hire a non-resident for the position.
In other words, the US employer would be aware that you are not a US citizen or a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States. So they’d have to promise the US Visa department that you’ll be a legal working resident soon, earning a certain amount of money.
This is referred to as Visa Sponsorship. It happens when a company agrees to sponsor you and submits the required documentation to the US citizenship and immigration services (USCIS).
Simply put, visa sponsorship is when a family member advocates for a person’s visa. As a visa applicant, you have an advocate who supports your entry into the United States for the purposes specified by the visa. There are numerous types of visas and ways to find a sponsor. In most cases, sponsorship includes a monetary component.
What is a USA Visa Sponsorship?
To be able to work in the United States, you must first find work. The employer must be willing to hire someone who is not a citizen of the United States. The company where you intend to work must be aware that you are not a US citizen or Legal Permanent Resident (LPR).
Therefore, if the employer is aware of your situation and still wishes to hire you, they will agree to sponsor you.
A US visa or employment sponsorship means that you are being hired by a company in the United States. They are ensuring that you will be a legal working resident in the US. The employer will state that you will work in the position for which you were hired. They must also guarantee that you will be paid the same as a US citizen or LPR in the same job position.
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Most people believe that an employer visa sponsorship is a letter. They are a collection of documents submitted to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Most people believe that there is only one sponsorship letter. The documents must include various forms and letters containing employment information. They must also state that the employer is eager to hire the candidate.
The difficult part of obtaining an employment visa sponsorship is justifying the hiring of a foreign employee. Because the United States has a large population, why not hire a US citizen or LPR? When attempting to sponsor a foreign employee, most employers must answer this question.
However, to address this, the employer must post job advertisements and submit other documentation to the US Department of Labor. The employer must wait for a response to the job postings. If no one does, they can claim that they were unable to find someone to do the job.
This means that no US citizens or LPRs were available or qualified for the position. The employer in the United States can then justify hiring a foreign employee.
To summarize, if you want to work in the United States, you must first find an employer willing to sponsor you. Working without a sponsorship is considered illegal in USA. This can have serious consequences, including deportation or arrest.
Who Can Sponsor a Visa? USA Visa Sponsorship
If you have a job offer from a US company in your name, you may be eligible for Visa sponsorship. In other words, your employer would sponsor your Visa and handle all of the paperwork on your behalf. However, they can only do so under certain conditions.
For example, the employer must post a job advertisement for the position and provide the Department of Labor with all necessary documentation. Assume there are no qualified candidates in the United States. In that case, the organization may decide that a non-US citizen is better suited for the position.
This validates their decision to hire a foreign national and sponsor their visa. As a result, an employer can only sponsor your Visa if they follow immigration law. This means they have a relevant opening within the company and can demonstrate why hiring a foreign worker is necessary for this situation.
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However, you can also be sponsored by a family member or a friend. Family immigration is the most common way to obtain a Green Card. In fact, over 600,000 people receive a green card through their families each year. Visa sponsorship is typically provided by the petitioning relative, but it can also be provided by others.
The relative is sponsored by the petitioner, who completes an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and several other documents. Assume a relative lacks the financial means to sponsor a family member. In that case, someone else will have to support the visa sponsorship. Earnings of certain members of a qualifying family may also be contributed, and a joint sponsor may complete a separate Form I-864.
Do I need a Visa sponsorship letter?
Contrary to popular belief, visa sponsorship is not the same as a letter. Instead, it refers to a collection of documents submitted to the US government by the employer or family member sponsoring the visa.
When applying for an F-1 student visa or a B-2 visitor visa, visa sponsorship letters can also be used. In this section, I’ll go over the different types of visas that require a sponsorship letter. I’ll explain how to get a sponsorship letter later in this post.
Because there are so many different types of US visas, it can be difficult to determine which ones are for employment. Even within the United States, for very short-term seasonal work, you may not require sponsorship.
However, keep in mind that most job opportunities in the United States will necessitate a visa sponsorship. Nonimmigrant and immigrant visas are available in the United States. The ones listed below require employment sponsorship.
Nonimmigrant Visas Employment Sponsorship: USA Visa Sponsorship
What Is The Non-Immigrant Sponsorship?
Non-immigrant sponsorships are only used for a limited time when the individual will not be able to become a US citizen. This is true for visitors who are only in the country for a short period of time. This means that non-immigrant workers will be ineligible for Green Cards in the future, implying that the visa will not qualify them for US citizenship.
This is the best Visa sponsorship if your employer only needs you to travel for a short period of time. To work in the United States, however, you will need an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
In summary, nonimmigrant visas in USA are issued for short-term stays in the country. They are not Green Cards and do not entitle their holders to become US citizens.
However, there are numerous types of nonimmigrant visas available in the United States, but some of the most common are employment visas. The nonimmigrant visas that require employment sponsorship are listed below.
The following are the non-immigrant visas:
- H-1B visa (Person in Specialty Occupation)
- H-2A visa (Temporary Agricultural Worker)
- H-2B visa (Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker)
- L1 visas (Intracompany Transferee)
- O-1A visa (People who have shown extraordinary abilities in business, education, athletics, and science)
- O-1B visa (People who have shown extraordinary abilities in arts, television, and film industry)
- O-2 visa (Assistants who accompany O-1A or O-1B visa holders)
Immigrant Visas Employment Sponsorships: USA Visa Sponsorship
Immigrant visas or Green Cards require employment sponsorship as well. There is also an Employment-Based Immigrant Visa category among the categories. The majority of the visas in the group require an employer to sponsor them.
- EB-1 Visa – Outstanding professors, researchers, and individuals with exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, business, athletics, or education. Executives who have spent the last three years working at a foreign branch of a US company are also eligible.
- EB-2 Visa – Professionals with advanced degrees and people with exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business.
- EB-3 Visa – Skilled workers with more than two years of experience, professionals with a higher education degree. In addition, unskilled workers with less than two years of experience (EW-3 Visa).
- EB-4 Visa – Employees of religious, government, or international organizations.
Some of these visas, such as the EB-1 visa, allow for self-petitioning. This means that in some cases if you have such extraordinary abilities, you may be able to sponsor your own visa. However, you must submit all documents and pay all fees yourself. Other visas, such as the EB-5 visa, are only available through self-petitioning.
Now let us look at some of the questions that have been frequenting our mailbox such as:
What Exactly Is Work Visa Sponsorship? USA Visa Sponsorship
Employment visa sponsorship helps with immigrant visas or permanent residency. Individuals with an Immigrant Visa Sponsor are not required to obtain a separate Employment Authorization Document (EAD) in order to work in the United States.
With this type of visa, you can live in the United States and become a Legal Permanent Resident. Furthermore, with this Visa arrangement, you can enroll in school, purchase property, and even obtain a driver’s license.
These immigrant Visas are classified into several categories based on the purpose of the Visa. Among the Visas in this category are:
- EB-1 Visa
- EB-2 Visa
- EB-3 Visa
- EB-4 Visa
What Is Family Sponsorship Visa?
In order to qualify for family-based immigration, at least two family members, a petitioner, and a beneficiary must all be involved. To sponsor a foreign family member for a green card, you must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The beneficiary is the alien family member seeking a green card. In some categories, the beneficiary may have a spouse and children who qualify as derived beneficiaries.
What Is Student Visa Sponsorship?
In general, a foreign national wishing to enter the United States must first obtain either a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent resident status. To study in USA, you must have a student visa.
The type of school that international students attend, as well as the course of study that you intend to pursue, determine whether you need an F visa (OPT and CPT) or an M visa.
For the purpose of this post, I will focus mainly on the employment sponsorship visa.
How Do I Get A Sponsorship Letter For Employment In The US?
As previously stated, I will outline the steps you must take when applying for a US work visa or seeking employment in the US.
The process of obtaining a sponsorship letter is time-consuming and complicated. The procedure is usually handled by an immigration attorney appointed by the employer. Furthermore, the documentation and justification must be accurate.
The following are the steps you must take when applying for an employment visa:
- Get An Employment Contract
- submit A Labor Certificate
- Submit The Documents To The USCIS
- Wait For Your Visa Sponsorship Application To Be Processed
Step 1: Get An Employment Contract
First, the employee must obtain a full-time offer from a US company. This is the contract that is part of the sponsorship agreements.
Step 2: Submit A Labor Certificate
For a non-immigrant visa, a Labor Certification must be submitted to the Department of Labor, stating that the company could not find a qualified potential employee within the country.
Step 3: Submit The Documents To The USCIS
The petition and supporting documents are submitted to USCIS. Contracts, itineraries, qualifications, and other similar documents fall under this category.
Step 4: Wait For Your Visa Sponsorship Application To Be Processed
After all required documents have been submitted, the USCIS will process the Visa sponsorship application. This takes time, depending on the number of pending cases with the USCIS. An application can take months to process.
If your application is approved, both you and your employer will be notified. At this point, you can begin the actual Visa application process with the US Embassy in your home country.
If your application is denied, you and your employer will be notified. The reason for the rejection is also included, which could be a lack of personnel qualification or a lack of documentation.
How Much Does An Employment Visa Sponsorship Cost? USA Visa Sponsorship
As earlier stated, I will primarily concentrate on the cost of employment visa sponsorship. The other types of visa sponsorship may differ depending on the visa you apply for.
For more on Different types of Visa Costs, Click here
However, obtaining an employment visa sponsorship is not cheap. Especially for the US employer, who must pay the majority of the fees. Sponsoring a foreign employee may cost up to a few thousand dollars, depending on the visa. Employers are hesitant to do it because it is so expensive.
When applying for an employment sponsorship visa, you must be aware of the following costs:
- Form I-129 (Petition for Non-immigrant Worker): 460 USD
- Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers): 700 USD
- Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee: 500 USD
- American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 charges: Between 750 USD – 1,500 USD
- For employers with more than 50 employees, with half of them being foreign nationals: Between 4,000 USD – 4,500 USD
- Visa Application Fee: 190 USD (the fee might be different depending on your nationality)
How Long Is Employment Visa Sponsorship Valid? USA Visa Sponsorship
The validity of the Visa Sponsorship is determined by the type of visa you are working with. For instance, obtaining an Immigrant Visa is a long-term solution. This implies you have a Green Card with a 10-year validity period followed by unlimited extensions. After five years in the United States, you can apply for permanent citizenship.
Non-immigrant visas, on the other hand, are valid for one year or three years, depending on the type of visa. When the Visa sponsorship expires, your employer can petition the USCIS for an extension.
However, if you have a nonimmigrant work visa, it is only valid for a limited time. This means that it will expire after a certain amount of time.
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The validity of your nonimmigrant work visa is determined by the type of visa you have. Some, such as the H-1B visa, are valid for three years, while others may be valid for only one year. So, to avoid overstaying, double-check the details of your visa.
As for immigrant work visas, they are permanent. After you obtain these visas, you will be granted a Green Card. The Green Card is valid for ten years and can be renewed indefinitely. After 5 years of living and working in the US, you can apply for US citizenship.
Note that this is the validity of the employment visa. Keep in mind that other visa sponsorships might differ.
What Documents Are Required For Employment Visa Sponsorship?
Let me explain the required documents now that you have a clear understanding of the visa sponsorship letter and the employment visa costs. Please keep in mind that this only applies to a visa sponsored by an employer. Additional documents may be required for other types of sponsorship visas.
The following documents are required when applying for a non-immigrant work visa:
- Valid passport (Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the USA
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160
- Application fee payment receipt (This is only applicable if you are required to pay before your interview)
- Passport photo (upload your photo when completing the DS-160 form)
- Receipt Number for your approved petition, as shown on your USCIS Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797.
- Proof that you will return to your native nation once your work in the United States is completed. Except for the H-1B and L visas, this applies to all forms of work visas.
Remember that you may be required to submit additional documents. With the exception of H-1B and L visas, all applicants must demonstrate compelling ties to their home country in order to indicate their intention to return after their temporary stay in the United States.
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Here are a few examples of compelling relationships:
- A residence abroad that you do not intend to leave
- Your family relationships
- Economic situation
- Your long-term plans
How To Apply For Employment USA Visa Sponsorship?
Keep in mind that the type of visa you apply for will have different application and eligibility requirements. Let’s go over the steps you need to take when applying for a non-immigrant work visa.
Here are the steps to follow:
- Gather The Required Documents
- Complete The Online DS-160 Form
- Book Your Non-Immigrant Visa Interview
- Pay Your Visa Application Fee
- Attend Your Visa Interview
- Wait For Your Non-Immigrant Employment Visa To Be Processed
- Collect Your Approved Non-Immigrant Employment Visa
Step 1: Gather The Required Documents
The first and most important step is to gather all of the necessary documents. Make copies of all your documents as a general rule.
Step 2: Fill out the online DS-160 form.
You must now complete the online DS-160 form. After completing the form, print the confirmation page and bring it with you to your non-immigrant visa interview.
Step 3: Schedule Your Non-Immigrant Visa Interview
You must schedule a visa interview, which is usually held at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You may schedule your interview at any US Embassy or Consulate, but please keep in mind that obtaining a visa outside of your permanent residence may be difficult.
Interview appointment wait times vary depending on location, season, and visa category, so apply early.
Step 4: Pay Your Visa Application Fee
You may be required to pay an application fee before attending your visa interview. Remember that it is dependent on the US Embassy or Consulate from which you are applying. I recommend that you contact your nearest US Embassy or Consulate to determine whether you must pay your application fee prior to your interview.
Step 5: Attend Your Visa Interview
During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are eligible for a visa and, if so, which visa category is appropriate for your travel purpose. To be granted the visa category for which you are applying, you must demonstrate that you meet the legal requirements of the United States.
More so, you will be required to submit digital fingerprint scans that are free of ink as part of the application process. They are typically taken during your interview; however, this varies depending on where you are.
Step 6: Wait For Your Non-Immigrant Employment Visa To Be Processed
The hard work is now complete, and all that remains is to wait for your application to be processed. Please keep in mind that processing times vary depending on which US Embassy or Consulate you apply to. For country-specific visa wait times, please visit the US Department of State website.
Step 7: Pick Up Your Approved Non-Immigrant Work Visa
After the visa is accepted, you will be informed of how your passport and visa will be returned to you. Please keep in mind that if your nationality requires it, you may be required to pay a visa issuance fee.
Your Employment Visa Application Is Successful: USA Visa Sponsorship
You’ve finally arrived at the end of a long and exhausting visa application process. I’m sure you’re looking forward to your new adventure. The final step is to sit back, relax, and enjoy your journey. Congratulations and welcome onboard.
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