Obtaining a Visa For an Employee
In order to work in the United States, a foreign national must have a specific kind of visa, namely a work visa.
Employers hoping to hire foreign nationals must help their potential employees file for a visa.
Naturally, then, it is important to know the types of work visas available, their details, and how to apply for them.
The L-1 Visa An L-1 visa allows a foreign employee of a foreign-owned company to live and work in the United States for a limited amount of time, usually three years.
Because business has become so international, it is sometimes necessary for companies to establish branches in the United States, which would at least initially have to be run by foreign employees.
The L-1 visa allows them to stay in the United States, and allows their spouses to also seek employment.
Naturally, there are some rules about who can file for such a position.
The applicant must have been in a managerial or executive position for at least one out of the last three years, and the applicant must stay with the company.
The H-1B Visa The H-1B Visa is for foreign nationals who are coming to the United States to work a "specialty occupation.
" A specialty occupation is one which requires a good deal of training, experience, and specialization.
Because of their value to American culture, science, and art, such visas do not require you to remain employed at the same employer for the duration of the visa.
For example, if you were to come to the United States as a writing professor for Rice University and then found a more favorable position at the University of Chicago, you would not have to refile for a new visa.
The H1-B Visa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to three years, although filing a petition can extend this to six years.
To file for such a visa, you must have at least a Bachelor's Degree (or the equivalent) in your field and must have a level of expertise in your field.
Common fields which would be covered by the H1-B visa:
Employers hoping to hire foreign nationals must help their potential employees file for a visa.
Naturally, then, it is important to know the types of work visas available, their details, and how to apply for them.
The L-1 Visa An L-1 visa allows a foreign employee of a foreign-owned company to live and work in the United States for a limited amount of time, usually three years.
Because business has become so international, it is sometimes necessary for companies to establish branches in the United States, which would at least initially have to be run by foreign employees.
The L-1 visa allows them to stay in the United States, and allows their spouses to also seek employment.
Naturally, there are some rules about who can file for such a position.
The applicant must have been in a managerial or executive position for at least one out of the last three years, and the applicant must stay with the company.
The H-1B Visa The H-1B Visa is for foreign nationals who are coming to the United States to work a "specialty occupation.
" A specialty occupation is one which requires a good deal of training, experience, and specialization.
Because of their value to American culture, science, and art, such visas do not require you to remain employed at the same employer for the duration of the visa.
For example, if you were to come to the United States as a writing professor for Rice University and then found a more favorable position at the University of Chicago, you would not have to refile for a new visa.
The H1-B Visa allows the holder to stay in the country for up to three years, although filing a petition can extend this to six years.
To file for such a visa, you must have at least a Bachelor's Degree (or the equivalent) in your field and must have a level of expertise in your field.
Common fields which would be covered by the H1-B visa:
- The Arts: writing, painting, sculpting, printing, filmmaking
- The Sciences: biotechnology, engineering, geology, etc
- Education: professors, teachers
- Medicine and health services
- Business: managers, executives, accountants
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