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A foreign worker planning to start a new career in the U.S. should look for a job that will lead to a visa sponsorship suiting his or her situation, profile, and expectations. The type of visa and work permit the foreign worker requires depends on his or her skills and career goals. The foreign worker should include information regarding his or her visa status and job qualifications on the resume to simplify the hiring process for potential employers.
Obtaining a U.S. Work Visa
After reviewing different types of U.S. work visas and eligibility requirements for each of them, a foreign worker can then apply for a work visa that matches his or her situation, citizenship desires, and career goals.
Temporary immigrant workers desiring to move to a new or existing business in the U.S. can apply for L-1 Visa. Investors and traders can opt for E2 and E1 visa permits. Temporary immigrant workers looking for specialty jobs can apply for an H-1B visa permit, while those searching for short-term jobs like truck drivers can go for an H-2B visa permit.
Permanent immigrant workers require employment-based (EB) immigrant visas. These visas have 5 preference divisions, starting from EB-1to EB-5 Green Card Permit. EB-1 Green Card visas are for persons with extraordinary abilities in fields like sciences and arts. Persons with exceptional abilities qualify for EB-2 Green Card visas.
Skilled workers, bachelor degree holders, and unskilled workers majorly qualify for EB-3 Green Card visas, while special immigrants like religious leaders qualify for EB-4 Green Card visas. EB-5 Green Card visas are mainly for immigrant investors who undertake investments in businesses that employ American citizens.
A successful immigrant visa applicant has the option of immigrating as a family. A family immigration attorney can guide a lawful immigrant on the process of bringing family members to the U.S.
Searching for a Job
Before searching for new career opportunities, an American immigrant should determine the path he or she wants to follow to attain the career goal. The immigrant can, for instance, look for a job that needs his or her skills or switch to a completely new sector to learn new skills from scratch. The immigrant needs to explore multiple industries that match his or her desired career and apply for several jobs to increase the odds of getting shortlisted for an interview.
A 2017 survey by CareerBuilder found that information technology, financial services, and professional & business services hold the highest employment potential for American immigrants. Other industries highly likely to hire American immigrants include manufacturing, retail, transportation, and health care.
Simplifying the Hiring Process for Potential Employers
Immigration and work requirements often confuse U.S. employers. An American immigrant should gather enough information about his or her specific situation and be ready to explain it to the employer.
After obtaining a work visa, the immigrant should include his or her status and eligibility on the resume. If the potential employer asks for a letter of interest, the immigrant should specify that he or she is legally in the U.S. and for how long. The immigrant should be prepared to prove his or her status during the interview by carrying the required paperwork.