For some, obtaining employment is challenging. Thus, when a person obtains their dream job, it is something that they do not want to turn down. For foreign nationals, it is a bit more complex, as they must ensure they have applied for the proper visa so they can travel to the U.S. and obtain employment at the place in question.
How do immigrants lawfully work in the U.S.? There are many ways immigrants can travel to the United States lawfully for employment. However, in all of these cases, the foreign national must obtain a work visa before traveling to America for work. With regards to temporary employment, these visas are issued to those seeking to work in the U.S. for a set period of time.
There are 11 different categories of temporary work visas, and ach of these are dependent on the purpose and line of work an immigrant will be working in. For example, an H-1B visa is for those in a specialty occupation. This requires a higher education degree or its equivalent. On the other hand, an H-1B1 visa is for those working within the free trade agreement. This requires an applicant to work in a specialty occupation and requires a post-secondary degree that involves at least four years of study in the field of specialization.
A foreign national could also obtain a L-visa, which is for intracompany transferees. This means that one is traveling to the U.S. to work at a branch, parent, affiliate or subsidiary of his or her current employer. Additionally, the applicant must be employed in a managerial or executive position or in a position that requires specialized knowledge. An immigrant could also work in the U.S. with a Q-1 visa. This visa is designed for those seeking to participate in an international cultural exchange program. These are for those seeking to obtain practical training and employment to share the history, culture and traditions or their home country.
The above information is not exhaustive on the reasons and types of temporary work visas available to foreign nationals. There are a wide variety of reasons to come to America for work, and those seeking to do so should understand what type of visa fits their purpose. Taking the time to understand the available visas can help ensure that one goes through the application process timely and properly.
