How can I find a job in the USA on an H1B visa?
Would you like to live the American dream by working in the USA? It’s a dream that can become a reality in a very short time, but to do so, you need to receive approval from the American government to settle and work in the USA legally. To work in the USA, theESTA is of no use; you need to apply for an H1B visa. You can’t work as a salaried employee without it. In this article, our team of experts explains everything you need to know on the subject!
Who can apply for the H1B visa?
When a person wishes to leave the Schengen area, whether to look for a job or for tourism, he or she must have an entry permit for the country concerned.
The USA has many types of immigrant or non-immigrant visas for long stays, and an authorization called ESTA for temporary stays.
Before discovering how to apply for an H1B visa, it’s important to understand what it’s for and who needs an H1B visa. Indeed, the H1B visa certificate allows US-based companies to offer jobs (not internships) to people from foreign countries who have all the necessary skills to perform the job. Please note that the number of H1B visas issued is limited: there are 65,000 issued each year.
The H1B visa can only be obtained if the job seeker has special qualifications. Scientific researchers, lawyers, engineers, accountants, IT experts and teachers are all jobs that are particularly in demand at USA. Here are the main criteria for receiving an H1B visa :
- you must have found a job in the United States before applying for a visa;
- you must hold a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or a degree of equal or greater value;
- you must also have a license that certifies your ability to perform the job in question.
The H1B visa certificate is valid for three years. You can renew it once. Thanks to this visa, you have a greater chance of obtaining a green card, which will enable you to become an American resident.
Good to know: would you like to take part in the Start-Up adventure, in the USA? Apply for an American Start-Up visa.
Receive the H1B visa certificate
Obtaining such a visa is not always easy, and the fees for obtaining it are quite high. Here’s how much it can cost to apply for an H1B visa.
Mandatory fees
- application fee: $190 USD;
- the company must pay the deposit request to the immigration service: 500 US dollars.
Optional fees
- Assistance of a specialized lawyer to file the case: US$3,000;
- the fast-track request, which allows you to receive a response within 2 weeks instead of several months: $1,000 .
To receive the H1B visa certificate, it is necessary for the employer and the future employee to work hand in hand. Obtaining the H1B visa is done in several steps:
- First, you must obtain the “Labor Condition Application” from the Department of Labor;
- second, the employer completes the U.S. Immigration Service Form l-129;
- then provide copies of the future employee’s university diplomas, as well as a copy of the job offer and anything else can prove that the employee has special abilities and that he is the ideal candidate;
- After that, if everything goes well, the employee must carefully fill out the form l-797 “Notice of Approval”;
- Finally, an interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate is required;
- Following this interview, the visa is obtained a few days later, directly at the home of the person concerned.
With your work permit in hand, you can now work in the United States and discover mythical cities such as New York and Las Vegas, while gaining professional experience on the other side of the Atlantic!