Whether you are an employer or a jobseeker, understanding the visa requirements for the US is essential. There are many different visas that each have their own specifications, and you need to make sure that you are applying for the right one.
Visitor Visas
Apply for a visitor visa if you are visiting the USA for no more than six months. Find out if a B1 visa will cover you if you are visiting for business purposes. Look at a B2 visa if you are visiting for tourism reasons for an extended period.
Student Visa
Talk to your university or college about which student visa you need. Remember that an F1 visa will cover students, an F2 visa will cover dependents if you are a student, but that you need a M1 visa for any vocational studies.
Temporary Work Visas
Research temporary work visas if you are coming to the US or hiring employees for seasonal work or for specific training and education purposes. Find out about the H2A program for any immigrant employees for any seasonal agricultural work. Look at the H2B visa if the work is non-agricultural. Find out if the H1B visa is the right program if you if the job is in an industry like IT, architecture, medicine, and law. Remember that different countries have their own visa needs, such as Chile, Singapore, Australia, and Mexico.
Employer Sponsored Visa
Talk to your employer about which visa you need if you are coming to the United States to work. Remember that if you are an employer, it is your responsibility to provide the proper evidence required by the government.
Apply for an EB-1 visa if you can demonstrate outstanding achievement in your field and can show you either earn a high salary, have been recognized as an immense talent, and that you have a job offer from a US company. Apply for an EB-2 visa if you have an advanced degree or can demonstrate exceptional ability in your field, or an EB-3 visa if you have required skills by the company hiring you and you meet the experience requirements. Look at an EB-4 visa if you are going to be working for a government, international or religious organization. Apply for an EB-5 visa if you will invest between $500,000 to $1 million into the US economy.
Spouse And Fiancé Visas
Apply for a K3 visa if you are the spouse of a US citizen waiting for approval of their permanent immigration process. Look at the CR1 visa as the first step of green card approval, and you will be eligible for an IR1 visa after two years of marriage.