Work visas for the United States: price, requirements, duration and how to process

How to apply for the H-2B visa to work in the US 2:19 (CNN Spanish) — Every year the United States grants thousands of work visas to foreigners. However, there are dozens of different types of nonimmigrant visas that cover a wide variety of job positions. From specialized jobs, to vacancies that do not require an academic degree. This is what you should know about work visas in the US: Visas for specialized workers (H-1B) This type of visa is for specialized workers, highly qualified professionals in fields that include engineering, technology, medicine and education superior. And there are three subcategories of H-1B visas: H-1B1: for skilled workers from Chile and Singapore. H-1B2: For specialists who will work on projects for the Department of Defense’s Cooperative Research and Development program. H-1B3: For fashion models of “distinguished merit and ability.” In 2021, the US granted a total of 61,569 H-1B visas. Requirements The applicant must have educational preparation, training or experience in the chosen specialty. Eligibility criteria vary depending on the type of H-1B visa and can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website. How to process Once the Form I-129 has been filed by the employee and approved by USCIS, the applicant must apply for an H-1B visa through the United States Department of State (DOS) in a US embassy or consulate. Duration Persons under the H-1B visa may be admitted for a period of up to three years. However, your stay can be extended, but usually not more than six years. Price The price of the visa application is US$190. Visas for non-professional workers without a degree (H-2A/H-2B) Each year, the United States grants thousands of H-2 visas to workers with or without experience (non-professionals and without an academic degree) to work temporarily in the country. This category is divided into two types of visas: the H-2A for agricultural workers and the H-2B for non-agricultural workers. In 2021, the US granted a total of 257,898 H-2A visas and 95,053 H-2B visas. Requirements Be citizens of one of the eligible countries; Check the details here: How to apply The temporary jobs available in the United States are published on the website of the Department of Labor (DOL, for its acronym in English). Interested individuals can log on to the site and search by occupation, industry, employer name, location, start date, or type of work, whether farm or non-farm. Those interested in the vacancies should call the telephone number, write to the email or enter the website indicated under “Recruitment Information” to request more information and/or apply to the available vacancy. Once there is a job offer from the employer, prospective workers outside the US will need to apply for an H-2A or H-2B visa (after USCIS approves their Form I-129) with the Department of State at a US embassy or consulate. Finally, they must apply for admission to the US at a US port of entry. Duration The maximum period of stay for both visas is 3 years. H-2 visas are granted for a period of one year, although two extensions of up to one year each can be requested. The extension request must be submitted before its expiration date and the workers will be able to remain in the US during the extension process. After a 3-year stay, H-2 visa recipients must leave the US for a continuous 3-month period before applying for readmission under the same type of visa. Price The visa application fee is US$190. NAFTA (TN) Temporary Worker Visas TN visas were created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). ) between the US, Mexico, and Canada, so qualified Mexican and Canadian citizens can apply for admission to the US as nonimmigrants to perform temporary work in the country. In 2021, the United States granted a total of 24,904 TN visas, according to government data. Requirements To apply for a TN visa, it is necessary to be a citizen of Mexico or Canada, demonstrate a professional level in one of the professions established by NAFTA, have a pre-established full-time or part-time job offer by an employer in the US, and meet with the requirements of education and work experience in the profession. How to apply Mexicans who want to apply for a TN visa will have to complete the DS-160 form online, print the application confirmation page and go to the interview at the US Embassy or consulate in Mexico. For the interview, the applicant must bring a valid passport, confirmation of the DS-160 form, receipt of payment of the application fee, a letter of offer for a job or contract in the US and documentation that demonstrates that they meet with minimum education and/or work experience requirements. Duration Up to 3 years. However, there is no specific limit on the total period of time that a foreigner can be under the TN visa as long as they continue with their employment relationship. Price The visa application fee is US$160. Visas for Persons of Extraordinary Ability (O-1) The O-1 visa is for persons who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics or who can demonstrate extraordinary achievement in the film or media industry and have been recognized for those achievements. And there are 2 subcategories for O-1 visas: O-1A: Individuals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics. O-1B: People with extraordinary ability in the arts or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry In 2021, the United States granted a total of 7,294 O-1 visas, according to government data. Requirements USCIS stipulates that in order to qualify for an O-1 visa, the beneficiary must demonstrate nationally and internationally recognized extraordinary ability. There is a list of documentation that the applicant must submit that USCIS lists on its website. How to apply To begin, a US employer or agent must submit Form I-129, contract between petitioner and beneficiary, itinerary, and evidence to demonstrate the beneficiary’s eligibility. Duration Initially, USCIS will determine the time necessary to complete the activity for which the beneficiary was requested. However, “new petitions that involve new events or an event that will be determined individually if it is materially different from the event included in the initial petition, could be approved for a maximum period of 3 years,” indicates USCIS. Price The visa application fee is US$190. Intra-company transfer visa (L-1A/L-1B) L-1A visas allow US employers to transfer an executive or manager from one of its foreign offices to one of its US offices, while the L-1B nonimmigrant classification allows US employers to transfer professionals with specialized knowledge within the same company. The United States granted a total of 24,863 L-1s in 2021. Requirements The employee must have worked for an eligible organization abroad for one continuous year within the three years prior to entering the United States. Likewise, they must provide services executive, managerial or expert, as the case may be, in a branch of the same employer or in an eligible organization. How to apply The US employer must file Form I-129 with USCIS, pay the application fee (US$460) and submit all required documentation. For their part, the applicant must complete the DS-160 form online, print the application confirmation page and attend the interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in Mexico. Where he must present documents that prove his eligibility. Duration Employees entering the US to open a new office will be allowed a maximum initial stay of one year. All other employees will be allowed a maximum initial stay of three years. L-1A visa extensions are granted for up to two years, until the total maximum limit of seven years is reached. L-1B visa extensions are granted for up to two years, until the total maximum limit of five years is reached. Price The price of the visa application is US$190. 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