H-1B Employment Visa
Employment Visa – H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, J-1, L-1, O-1, P-1, etc., is one of the great way to obtain a work permit in the U.S.
H-1B VISA
This visa not only allows the employee to work in the U.S. but also give the employee a potential of permanent resident though employer’s sponsor green card application. Under this program, the U.S. employers allow to hire skilled foreign professionals if the employers have vacant positions and can prove that there are no American candidates qualified for the position. This can be any position that requires higher education degrees or is specialized in skills that not many people can do it successfully. The H-1B visa is valid for 3 years, however it can be extended up to 6 years if the applicant is still employed by the sponsoring employer.
H-2A VISA
The H-2A Visa is a seasonal agricultural visa, offered to foreign agricultural workers seeking to work in the U.S. on a temporary basis. This H-2A Visa expires after 364 days.
H-2B VISA
The H-2B Visa issues to temporary or seasonal non-agricultural workers. This program was created to support employers who experience a significant changes in their need for employees seasonally. Examples of H-2B Visa positions include servers, bussers, front desk/concierge employees, chefs, golf and ski instructors, and ski lift operators.
J-1 VISA
The J-1 Visa is part of the Exchange Visitor Program, and its purpose is to increase mutual understanding between the people in the U.S. and the people of other countries through cultural and educational exchanges. The J-1 Visa is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureaus of Education and Cultural Affairs. To obtain a J-1 Visa you must be sponsored by a designated public or private exchange sponsor. There are several categories in which an exchange visitor may participate in such as: Intern, Student,Government Visitor, Physician, etc.
L-1 VISA
The L-1 Visa is for workers who are considered a Intracompany transferee, such as an executive, manager, or specialized personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation in the U.S.
O-1 VISA
The O-1 Visa is issued to a person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. This visa is granted up to 3 years and can be extended for 1 year at a time. There is no limit to the amount of extensions which may be granted. To qualify for an O-1 Visa, the applicants must supply documents showing that they have sustained national or international acclaim and recognition for achievements in their respective field.
P-1 VISA
A P-1 Visa is granted to alien athletes, artists, and entertainers who have international recognition. This means that the applicants must provide either on documentation of a major, one-time achievement by the group, such as the nomination for, or receipt of, a significant international award or prize, or at least three of the following:
- Has and will perform as leading/starring group in productions/events with distinguished reputations;
- International recognition/acclaim for outstanding achievements;
- Has and will perform as leading/starring group for organizations with distinguished reputations;
- Record of major commercial/critically acclaimed success;
- Significant recognition from organizations, critics, governments, other recognized experts;
- Commanded/will command high salary/other substantial remuneration relative to others similarly situated.
H-1B VISA
Below are some benefits of H-1B holders:
- H-1B holders can stay in the U.S. for three years initially and can easily be extended to another three years if the applicant is still employed by the sponsoring employer.
- H-1B holders can port their status from one employer to another during their stay. They also can work part-time and for multiple employers at the same time.
- H-1B holders’ spouses and children can live in the U.S. under the H4 visa and work in the U.S. after obtaining Employment Authorization Documents.
- H-1B holders can obtain legal permanent residency if their employers are willing to sponsor green card visa for them.
H-1B VISA
The applications open every year. USCIS approves around 65,000 petitions per year, with 20,000 additional visas for foreign professionals who graduate with a master’s degree or doctorate from a U.S. institution of higher learning. 6,800 petitions are reserved for H1B1 visas for Chile and Singapore nationals, and the rest is for H1B visas.
The registration process dates are:
- March 2 – Petitioners (employers) can start creating an H1B registrant account at noon US Eastern time.
- March 9 to March 25 – H1B registration period. The registration period opens and closes at noon US Eastern time.
- March 31 – By this date, the USCIS will have notified the selected entrants.
- April 1 – if your employer’s petition was selected, this is the earliest date that you may submit an application for an H1B visa for the current year.
H-1B VISA
Before an employer can file a petition with USCIS, the employer must take steps to ensure that hiring the foreign worker will not harm the U.S. workers.
- Employers first must attest, on a labor condition application (LCA) certified by the Department of Labor (DOL), that employment of the H-1B worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers.
- Employers must also provide existing workers with notice of their intention to hire an H-1B worker.
Since the program was created in 1990, Congress has limited the number of H-1Bs made available each year. The current annual statutory cap is 65,000 visas, with 20,000 additional visas for foreign professionals who graduate with a master’s degree or doctorate from a U.S. institution of higher learning.
H-1B visa requirements are:
- the applicant must have a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field or the equivalent of 12 years of relevant experience.
- A job offer from a U.S. company for a specialty position that requires your bachelor’s degree.
O-1 VISA
To qualify for an O-1 Visa an applicant must supply documents showing that he or she is has sustained national or international acclaim and recognition for achievements in their respective field.