The United States of America is a country that many people fantasise of visiting because of the numerous opportunities that exist for labour, business, and a variety of other reasons. This has earned the country the nickname “the land of opportunities.”
However, in order to gain employment in the United States as an Indian citizen, you will need the non-immigrant category of the work visa offered by the United States.
Why Move to America?
- leading global economy
- Metropolises with an excellent quality of life
- Immense demand for workers of all talents
- melting pot of ethnicities
- Huge potential for professional advancement
- High wages with enormous savings
What is a US Work VISA?
The USA work permits are endorsements that let people who work for a company in the country come into the country. Only a small number of people can get in without a visa. Since Indians are not one of them, they need a work visa. The US Embassy gives out many different kinds of work entry permits.
US Work Visa Categories
Work permits can be divided into the following groups based on the type of work you will be doing:
- H1B visa: Individual with a Specialty Occupation
To engage in a specialised profession. Requires a higher education degree or its equivalent. Includes fashion models of exceptional skill and aptitude, as well as government-to-government research and development or co-production projects managed by the Department of Défense.
- H-1B1 visa: Professional under a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) – Chile and Singapore.
To engage in a specialised profession. Requires a four-year postsecondary degree in the subject of specialty. (Note: This is not a visa based on a petition.)
- Temporary Agricultural Worker visa (H-2A)
For temporary or seasonal labour in agriculture. With limited exclusions, limited to citizens or nationals of certain countries, if determined to be in the interest of the United States.
- H-2B visa: Non-agricultural Temporary Worker
For transitory or seasonal activity that is not agricultural. With limited exclusions, limited to citizens or nationals of certain countries, if determined to be in the interest of the United States.
- Trainee or Special Education Visitor visa (H-3)
Receive training in the education of children with mental, physical, or emotional problems that is unavailable in the trainee’s native country, except graduate medical and academic training.
- I visa: Members of the Foreign Media
The visa enables journalists and individuals employed in the information or media industries to accomplish their duties in the United States.
- L1 visa: Intracompany Transferee
To work in a managerial or executive capacity at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current business, or in a position requiring specialised knowledge.
Individual must have been continually employed by the same employer abroad for one year within the prior three years.
- Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group P-1 visa
To participate in a particular athletic competition as an athlete or entertainment group. Demands a degree of sustained performance that is internationally recognised. Includes anyone providing critical services in support of the individual listed above.
- P-2 visa: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)
For performance under a reciprocal exchange agreement between an American organisation and an international organisation. Includes anyone providing critical services in support of the individual listed above.
- P-3 visa: Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)
To perform, instruct, or coach a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation as part of a programme that is culturally distinctive or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, or theatrical performance or presentation.
Includes anyone providing critical services in support of the individual listed above.
- R-1 visa: Nonimmigrant Temporary Religious Workers
To assist foreign nationals in coming to the United States to work for religious organisations. Only clergy and people directly associated with religious work qualify.
- TN visa: NAFTA Workers
This visa allows Canadian lawyers, scientists, engineers, and educators to work temporarily in the United States.
- Visa for individuals with outstanding abilities
The O1 visa is for persons with international reputation for their expertise in science, business, education, athletics, or the arts.
- Green Cards Based on Employment
Numerous people receive permanent resident status in the United States annually through employment-based preferences and the issuance of green cards. There are five categories within the employment-based category: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. If you are interested in working in the United States, you may qualify for a Green Card under one of these categories.
Eligibility for a US Work Visa
To be eligible to apply for a work visa for the United States, you must complete the following requirements.
- You must submit a visa application from India.
- You must have a verified job in the United States
- To apply for the work category, you must have a job and a letter from the organisation confirming your employment.
- Employer-supplied I-129 and I-797 forms are required.
- Your employer must possess a Labor certification permission from the United States Department of Labor.
- You must meet the required health standards.
- You must be physically fit to enter the United States.
- To apply for a work visa, you must be within the allowed age range.
- You must meet the required moral standards
- You must be of good moral character and have sincere intents to work in the United States.
How to Apply for an American Work Visa?
The application process for a work visa to the United States from India is lengthy and complicated. Therefore, it is advised that you utilise the services of a travel agent to apply for this visa. Now, prior to beginning your application, you must confirm that you are eligible to travel for the particular work category. Then, you can submit the application as follows:
- Ensure you have all the essential documentation for the permit.
- Visit the website of the US Department of State Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) and complete the DS-160 form.
- Remember the DS-160 form’s barcode, as you’ll need it for the remainder of the process.
- Proceed with the application fee payment.
- Note the number on the receipt.
- Sign in to your account and schedule your appointments.
- You must schedule two appointments.
- The first is for the biometric submission at one of the five VACs, and the second is for the interview at the United States Embassy or Consulate.
- Visit your VAC with your passport, appointment confirmation sheet, paperwork, and DS-160 confirmation page on the day of your initial appointment.
- You will have your fingerprints scanned and a digital photograph taken.
- Visit the embassy or consulate with your valid passport, paperwork, appointment confirmation page, and the VAC-stamped DS-160 sheet for your visa interview.
- Note that the application form must be accurately completed.
- The given documentation must be valid and authentic.
- Fake or incorrect documents can result in a denial of your application.
- A visa denial is a serious matter that might render you ineligible for future visas.
Required Documents for US Work Visa
At the time of your interview, you will need the following documents to apply for a United States work visa from India:
- A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the anticipated travel date.
- Form DS-160, duly filled out, in its entirety.
- Photos according to the requirements.
- Forms I-129 and I-797 in duplicate
- Educational documents.
- Original employment contract.
- Your Curriculum Vitae.
- Employment offer letter.
- Experience certificate.
Note that depending on the precise type of work permit, you may need additional documentation.
Processing Time for US Work Visa
Typically, work visas are processed within seven to ten business days. However, these will almost certainly vary depending on the type of visa, any additional procedures required, the duration of the permission, the volume of applications at the particular embassy or consulate, etc.
In addition, you will need to consider the lengthy scheduling window for an interview. Therefore, it is recommended to apply as soon as feasible.
Following Submission of Your US Work Visa Application
Your application will be processed by the embassy after you have submitted it. Note that you will not be able to alter the application once it has been submitted. Therefore, ensure that you do not make any errors when submitting the application.
Visa fees are not refundable. Therefore, even if your application is denied, there will be no refund. Therefore, it is recommended to apply through a reputable travel agency.
How to check the status of a US work visa
While you wait for a response, you can check the status of your visa. This can be accomplished in numerous ways. You can accomplish this by visiting the CEAC website and entering the interview location and DS-160 form number. Or, you can send your passport number to passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com.
Points to remember When Your US WORK VISA is processed
Upon getting your work visa, there are a few things you must keep in mind to ensure a smooth journey:
Before you travel –
- Take note of the visa’s validity, length of stay, and number of entries.
- You may not remain in the nation over the specified duration.
- Carry your travel documentation with you before entering the country.
At the frontier
- At the port of entry, you must present your passport with the visa to the immigration officer. Your passport will be stamped upon admission.
- You may be required to present a copy of the additional documents submitted with your application.
- You may be asked about your visit’s essentials.
- Ensure that you respond truthfully and without hesitation.
- Note that US border control agents may deny you admission if you do not meet the entry requirements. The visa is not sufficient to guarantee entrance into the country.
When entering the U.S.
- Employer registration is required upon arriving in the United States.
- Depending on the category, you will be allowed to extend your visa.
- Depending on the type of work permit you possess, you may bring your spouse or children (under 21 years old) on dependent visas.
How long does it take to obtain United States citizenship?
Typically, it would take a permanent resident at least five years to become eligible for US citizenship. Additionally, you must have been physically present in the United States for at least five years since applying for citizenship. Additionally, the applicant must be at least 18 years old and meet all requirements for United States citizenship.
How much does an American VISA cost?
The cost of immigration to the United States depends on the type of visa you wish to obtain. Contact us for a list of fees specific to the visa you’re seeking.
HOW CAN PrimeX Immigrations HELP YOU WITH US WORK PERMIT VISA?
- Inform you of the documents necessary for the visa.
- Advise you on how to demonstrate the necessary cash for the visa.
- Evaluate your required documents for the visa application.
- Prepare you for a visa interview if one is required.