Are you wondering how to get sponsorship to work in the US? Then this article is just right for you. However, before you plan your trip, pack your bags, and buy your plane ticket, you should know a few things. Firstly, you need to secure a job in the US and get a visa sponsorship.
But what do I mean by a visa sponsorship? You will get to know it in a bit. The United States is a strong global force with robust and booming economic development. Furthermore, the promise of the American dream and success has captivated people from different countries over the years. They want to get a job, get sponsorship in the US, and build a great life. Even though many people would love to get jobs in the US, it’s a long process but not impossible. However, as a foreigner, there are many steps to take to legally work in the country. One very important step is to get sponsorship to work in the US. This article will take you through the full details and information on US employment visa sponsorship. Information such as a visa sponsorship, a visa sponsorship letter, and more. Dive in!
What Is A Visa Sponsorship?
Visa sponsorship is a bunch of documents that describe and guarantee the working status and job profile of an individual in the United States. For instance, assuming you plan to move to the United States, you must get a job. The company must also be willing to hire a foreign worker for the position.
However, the US employer is aware of your foreign status, therefore, they will have to pledge to the US Visa department that you’ll soon be a legal working resident earning a particular salary. This is referred to as Visa Sponsorship. Furthermore, this is possible when a company agrees to sponsor you by submitting all necessary documents to the US Citizenship and immigration services (USCIS).
Additionally, Visa sponsorship could be when a relative pushes for your visa to relocate to the US. As an applicant, you’ll have an advocate who supports your entry into the US for the work visa. There are several ways to get sponsorship to work in the US.
Read on as we discuss who can sponsor your visa and if you need a sponsorship letter. Let’s get started!
Who Can Sponsor Your Visa?
You can obtain a visa sponsorship if you have secured a job from a US company. Meanwhile, your employer would sponsor your visa and file the required paperwork on your behalf. However, this can only be possible in certain circumstances.
For instance, the employer will post a job advertisement for the available position and submit all necessary documents to the Department of Labor. If your employer finds it difficult to get citizens or permanent residents to fill the open positions. Such an employer may hire a foreign worker eligible for the position. Furthermore, your employer will sponsor your visa once you secure the job. But they have to also comply with the immigration law. You can also be sponsored by a relative or friend, the most prevalent way to obtain a Green Card is through family immigration.
Every year, over 500,000 people obtain green cards through their families. However, visa sponsorship is usually provided by the petitioning relative, though other people can also make it possible. The petitioner will sponsor the relative by completing an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) and other necessary documents.
Furthermore, if the relative lacks the financial means to sponsor a family member. The visa sponsorship will need to be supported by someone else. Certain members of a qualifying family may also contribute their earnings, and a joint sponsor may complete a separate Form I-864.
Visa Sponsorship Letter
Visa sponsorship, contrary to widespread belief, is not the same as a letter. However, many documents were provided to the US government by the employer or relative sponsoring your visa. However, visa sponsorship letters can also be used when applying for an F-1 student visa or B-2 visitor visa.
I’ll discuss the various types of visas that require a sponsorship letter and how to get it.
Types of Visa
- Non-immigrant sponsorship.
- Work visa sponsorship.
- Family sponsorship visa.
- Student visa sponsorship.
1. Non-Immigrant Sponsorship
Non-immigrant sponsorship visas are temporary visas, only valid for a short time, and the individual will not be able to become a US citizen. Meanwhile, this applies to foreign workers who only visit the country briefly. This further indicates that non-immigrant workers may not qualify for a Green Card.
However, this is the best visa sponsorship if your job role is only for a limited time. Your employer may only require your service for seasonal jobs, as in the case of farm workers. Furthermore, you must obtain an Employment Authorization Document to work in the United States.
Listed below are lists of the non-immigrant visas.
- H-1B visa (For persons in Specialty Occupation).
- H-2A visa (For Temporary Agricultural Workers).
- H-2B visa (For Temporary Non-agricultural Workers).
- L1 visas (Intracompany Transferee).
- O-1A visa (People who have shown extraordinary abilities in business, education, athletics, and science).
- O-1B visa (People with extraordinary abilities in the arts, television, and film industry).
- O-2 visa (Assistants accompanying O-1A or O-1B visa holders).
2. Work Visa Sponsorship
An employment sponsorship implies that the employer in the US is hiring you for the available positions. However, they assure US visa officials that you will be a legal working resident. The employer will also state that you will work the job position they hired you for and nothing more.
Work visa sponsorship is also helpful for immigrant visas or Permanent Residency.
Furthermore, foreigners with an Immigrant Visa Sponsor are not expected to get a different EAD to work in the US. With this visa, you can live in the United States and become a Legal Permanent Resident.
Additionally, this type of visa will allow you to study at a US school, purchase properties, and obtain a driver’s license. These immigrant visas are divided into various classes according to the purpose of the Visa. These include:
- EB-1 Visa. 2. EB-2 Visa. 3. EB-3 Visa.
- EB-4 Visa.
3. Family Sponsorship Visa
For the family sponsorship visa, two family members, a petitioner, and a beneficiary will be involved in the family-based immigration. Meanwhile, you’ll be a US citizen or legal permanent resident to sponsor a foreign relative for a green card. The foreign relative who will receive a green card is referred to as the beneficiary.
However, if the beneficiary has a spouse or dependent children, they also qualify as beneficiaries in some categories.
4. Student Visa Sponsorship
As a foreigner who intends to enter the US, you may obtain a non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent resident status. However, for you to be eligible to study in the US, you must first obtain a student visa. As an international student, your school choice and study course will determine your visa category (F-visa or M-visa).
Sponsorship Letter For Employment in the US
Further on in this article, we’ll outline the steps to follow when applying for a US work visa. Getting a sponsorship letter may be time-consuming and complicated, but not impossible. Typically, the employer will hire the service of an immigration lawyer to handle the procedure.
In addition, the documentation and justification must be correct to avoid a case of visa denial. Here are the steps to follow when applying for an employment visa.
Step 1: Get An Employment Contract
Firstly, the employee must secure a full-time job offer from a US business. This will cover the contract that is included in the sponsorship agreements.
Step 2: Submit A Labor Certificate
However, a labor certificate must be submitted to the Department of Labor for a non-immigrant visa. You must demonstrate that the company could not find a qualified US citizen.
Step 3: Submit The Documents To The USCIS
The petition and supporting documents are filed with the USCIS. Contracts, itineraries, qualifications, and other similar documents are added to the group of documents.
Step 4: Wait For Your Visa Sponsorship Application To Be Processed
The USCIS processes the visa sponsorship application after all required documents are filled out and submitted. However, this can take time, depending on the number of awaiting cases with the USCIS. The application processing time could take months.
Furthermore, you and your employer will be notified if your application is approved. At this stage, you will start your visa application process with the US Embassy in your home country. Also, you and your employer will be notified if your application is refused. However, the reason for the rejection, which could be a lack of personnel qualification or insufficient documents, will be included.
Required Documents For the Employment Visa Sponsorship
Since you now have a clear idea of the visa sponsorship letter and the employment visa costs. Let’s get through the required documents. However, this is only applicable to an employment sponsorship visa. Other types of sponsorship visas may have additional documents.
Below is the list of documents you need when applying for a non-immigrant work visa.
- Valid international passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months above your stay in the US.
- Non-immigrant Visa Application Form DS-160.
- Application fee payment receipt (only applicable if you are required to pay before your interview).
- Passport photograph (upload your photo when completing the DS-160 form).
- Receipt Number for your approved petition as it appears on your Petition for a
Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797 from USCIS.
- Proof that you will return to your home country after completing your US work. Except for the H-1B and L visas, this applies to all forms of work visas.
However, remember that you may be expected to submit extra documents. Except for H-1B and L visas, all applicants must show ties to their home country. This will stipulate your return purpose after your temporary stay in the United States.
Below are some examples of ties you may have in your home country.
- A residence abroad that you will come back to.
- Your family relationships (wife and children).
- Your economic situation (finances).
- Your long-term plans.
Sponsorship Visa Validity
Generally, obtaining the sponsorship and visa could be the difficult part. Once the visa drops, you can prepare and plan your travel arrangements. However, you can travel and start working when your documents are ready.
But if you have a nonimmigrant work visa, its validity is temporary. This means that after a specified time, it will expire.
How long the nonimmigrant work visa is valid depends on your visa type. For instance, the H-1B visa is valid for three years, while others may be valid for a year.
Therefore, you must consistently check your visa details so you do not overstay. Meanwhile, when your visa expires, you can extend your stay. The employer can also apply again for the sponsorship to USCIS, and you’ll be issued a visa again. Furthermore, there is limited extension time for nonimmigrant visas.
In most cases, you cannot extend for more than two or three times. As for the immigrant work visas, they are permanent. Once you get these visas, you get a Green Card valid for ten years and unlimited extensions. You can apply for US citizenship after five years of living and working in the US.
“The United States is a country known for its outstanding economy and welcoming nature. The promise of the American dream and success has captivated people from different countries over the years. Therefore, getting sponsorship to work in the US is one of your best decisions. We wish you the best as you embark on this journey.“
