$100k Visa Sponsorship Job in the US; Are you looking to immigrate to the US in search of greener pastures, if this feels like you, this content will hold you by the hands and show you how best not to sleep over this opportunity.
The gold here’s that the US employers are offering visa sponsorship to qualified skilled foreign workers looking to move into the states.
The labor shortage in the US post COVID-19 has led to huge labor demand in various industries, on account of this, employers are looking to fill vacant spots, giving a corresponding rise to the demand for foreign talents who are eligible and qualified for such roles.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering “How can I get sponsorship to work in the US?” this is the visa sponsorship guide you need.
Visa sponsorship is when an individual, company or organization in the US assist a foreign national to obtain a visa or green card, allowing them to live and work in the country.
Interestingly, there are three types of visa sponsorship;
- Family-based sponsorship
- Employment-based sponsorship and
- Humanitarian financial sponsorship
Under this arrangement, this guide will arm itself with the employment visa sponsorship.
Getting visa sponsorship for a US work visa involves finding an employer in the US willing to hire you and sponsor your visa application.
Depending on the visa type, there are different requirements a job must meet to qualify for sponsorship.
The US employee benefits
Social security
United States law provides for retirement benefits and subsidized health insurance under Federal Social Security and Medicare programs.
Employers are required to contribute 6.2% of each employee’s salary to Social Security, as well as 1.45% of each employee’s wages and act as employee contribution.
Federal government programs provide benefits for retirees, the disabled, children deceased workers.
Healthcare and insurances
Under the patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, certain large employers who do not offer affordable health insurance that provide minimum essential coverage to 95% of their full-time employees and their dependents may be subject to significant penalties.
Covered employers will be subject to an annualized employer shared responsibility.
Employers may also be required to provide employees with health insurance benefits pursuant to a negotiated collective bargaining agreement or employment contract.
Required leave
Holidays and annual leave
Although the US government recognizes several national holidays, no federal law requires employers to provide employees with time off for holiday.
However, it’s customary for employers to provide employees with paid-time off to observe nationally and locally recognized holidays.
Maternity and Parental leave
The Family Medical Leave Act requires employers with fifty or more employees within a seventy-five mile radius to provide covered employees with 12 weeks unpaid leave in a 12-month period for the birth or placement of a child.
Some state laws provide maternity leave for the employees who are not covered under the FMLA.
Sickness leave
Employees may be entitled to unpaid sick leave under FMLA, which allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks unpaid medical leave in a 12-month period for a serious health condition that prevents the employee from performing the functions of his or her job.
A serious health condition covers a range of illnesses, through colds, headaches, and routine medical care is typically not covered.
About Visa Sponsorship?
Visa Sponsorship is when someone, a company or an organization in the US helps a foreign national to get a visa or green card to live and work legitimately in the country.
The sponsor supports the visa application by providing necessary paperwork to the US government and takes on responsibilities to ensure the individual follows US immigration laws.
Employers sponsoring a visa means committing to hire a foreign national and assisting them getting the legal permission to work in the United States.
This process involves submitting forms and documents to prove that the job can’t be filled by a US worker and that the foreign national is qualified for the position.
Visa pathway to the US
To immigrate to the United States as a foreign worker, or professional, you will need to acquire a US worker visa that suits your professional skills, or requirements according to the US immigration laws, this grants you a legal stay to live and work in the US.
About work visa
There are several visas based on your job preference, and whether you are looking to stay permanently or temporarily in the US.
However, a work visa is a visa that allows you to live, and work legally in the United States.
Types of work visas
A temporary visa grants you permission to stay in the US for a designated time. However, you are required by law to leave the US when your visa expires, except you choose to reapply and extend the validity date.
Here are categories of visas under the temporary worker scheme;
H-1B Specialty Occupation
The H-1B visa is the most popular work visa in the US, and is available to people from other countries who work in specialty occupations like computer science or engineering.
Giving the high demand of this visa, there’s an annual cap on the issuance. Candidates who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher and have a job Offer from a US employer in a specialty position may qualify for this visa.
L-1 Visa
The L-1 Visa is a temporary work visa issued to employees who work for foreign businesses that have direct affiliation with US companies.
An employee would apply for this visa if their organization transfers them to its US location or branch, it could also apply if a foreign company transfers an employee to go and set up a US company.
(L-1A for managers and top executive level, and L-1B for employees below manager level).
O-1 Visa
This visa is designed for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. To demonstrate that they have extraordinary skills within their field.
Suitable for people in business, sciences, arts, sports, entertainment and education.
Other visas include but are not limited to;
- EB-1
- EB-2
- EB-3
- E-1, E-2, and E-3, etc.
Requirements for US work Visa
- The employer must offer a job that can’t be filled by a US worker
- The foreign worker being sponsored must have the skills and qualifications needed for the job
- The employer must meet legal and financial requirements, including paying the prevailing wage and following labor laws.
How the US work visa works
Labor Certification if needed:
Sometimes, the employer must get a labor certification from the Department of Labor to show no qualified US workers are available for the job.
File petition (Form I-129):
The employer files a petition (Form I-129) with the USCIS for a foreign worker.
Wait for approval:
USCIS reviews the petition. If approved, and if the worker is outside the US, the case goes to the NVC.
NVC Processing:
The NVC processes the case, schedules an interview at the US embassy or consulate in the worker’s home country.
Adjustment of status:
If the worker is already in the US, they may apply for a green card after USCIS approves the petition.
Permanent residency while on work visa
As a work visa holder, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency. However, the process and eligibility criteria depend mainly on the type of visa you are on.
H-1B visa holders:
The H-1B is a dual intent visa, this means you can apply for permanent residency without doing any harm to your work visa status.
Many H-1B visa holders transition to permanent residency through an employment-based green card process.
Step-by-step guide to applying for permanent residency
Here’s a general process of applying for permanent residency for work visa holders
Determine eligibility;
Your eligibility for a green card depends on your visa type, job role, and employment history. The most common employment-based green card categories are;
- EB-1
- EB-2
- EB-3
Employer sponsorship;
Most employment-based green cards require employer sponsorship. Your employer must file a Program Electronic Review Management, Labor Certification with the US Department of Labor, demonstrating that no qualified US workers are available for your position
File Form I-140
Once the PERM is certified, your employer files Form I-140 (Immigration Petition for Alien Worker). This petition establishes that you are eligible for an employment-based green card.
Wait for the priority date:
Your priority date is the date you file for I-140. Depending on your green card category and country of origin, you may have a waiting period before proceeding to the next step.
You can check the monthly Visa Bulletin to track the availability of green card in your category.
File Form I-485:
When your priority date becomes current, you can file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence) to switch from a temporary work visa to a Green Card.
If you’re outside the US, you will undergo consular processing instead of filing Form I-485.
Attend biometric and interview;
Having submitted Form I-485, you may go in for biometrics and an interview. Ana immigration officer will ask questions to confirm your eligibility for permanent residency.
Receive your green card:
Once everything is approved, you’ll receive your Green Card, officially granting you permanent residency in the United States.
Where and how to get US visa sponsorship
US sponsored visa can be a difficult-feet to achieve, however, you can navigate your way around with the right information, kindly follow the recommendations below to get started.
US recruitment websites could be a great place to commence a US sponsorship visa search. Most job openings are outsourced to these recruiters who recruit foreign talents for US companies.
Checking out their websites for sponsored opportunities increases your chances of meeting and utilizing an opportunity.
US job portals like Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn would usually advertise sponsored job openings, be sure to tailor your CV well enough to sell your experience and unique skills, this will be a competitive edge for you.
Join forums, network and ask through word of the mouth from US residence for possible sponsored openings, people most times have a fare idea of these job opportunities.
Linking up through effective networking could join you with such opportunities.
Conclusion
The gold here’s that the US employers are offering visa sponsorship to qualified skilled foreign workers looking to move into the states.
The labor shortage in the US post COVID-19 has led to huge labor demand in various industries, on account of this, employers are looking to fill vacant spots, giving a corresponding rise to the demand for foreign talents who are eligible and qualified for such roles.