If you want to work abroad, the United States of America should be your number one target.
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The country is currently looking for foreign workers to fill all the available opportunities they have in many sectors.
And, many of these job opportunities come with a free US work visa – that means, you will get free visa sponsorship.
I don’t need to remind you that the pay is very good; you should already know that by now. In terms of salary, the USA is the second-highest paying country in the world.
As of today, the United States of America has the highest number of foreign workers in the world, and they are still looking for more.
Currently, there are over 169 million workers in the United States, and more than 32 million of them are immigrants.
That is over 19% of the whole US workforce. The US welcome foreign workers every year, and they need even more.
If you want to work in the United States, getting the right US work visa is the first step.
Whether you’re a skilled professional, someone without a skill (they will train you and give you a job), or someone in search of seasonal employment, you are qualified to get a US work permit and work in the country.
As a Visa and Immigration Firm, we are willing to help you secure one of these jobs in the USA with visa sponsorship, which will grant you US work authorisation.
If you are interested, here is all you need to know, from US work visa, US work visa types and US work permit requirements to costs, sponsorship companies, and how to apply successfully.
To come and work in the USA, you need a US work visa or work authorization.
Below is what the US work visa is all about.
What is the US Work Visa all about, and who needs it?
“A US work visa is an official document or stamp issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate that allows a foreign national to work legally in the United States for a temporary or permanent period, depending on the visa type.”
I know many of us are familiar with work a work visa is; however, many people confuse a US work visa with a US work permit or US work authorisation.
The truth is, even though these terms sound similar, they don’t mean the same thing, and you should know the difference.
A US work visa is what you apply for before coming to the United States. Simply call it a travel pass that you will use to enter the US for work.
But having a visa doesn’t always mean you can start working when you come to the UK – no. You can have a visa and still not be allowed to work when you enter the US for work purposes.
Once you’re in the U.S., you might also need to get a work permit, which is an official card called an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD).
With a US work permit, you will have the legal right to work. People like asylum seekers, DACA recipients, or spouses of some visa holders need a US work permit (before they can work in the US).
Then there’s US work authorization, which simply means that you’re legally allowed to work in the U.S.
You can have US work authorization through a visa, a green card, or other programs like DACA or TPS.
To put it simply:
- A US work visa lets you enter the U.S. for a job.
- A US work permit lets you work if your visa doesn’t automatically allow it.
- A US Work authorization means you have legal permission to work in the U.S., no matter how you got it.
If you still don’t get it, here is another way to put their differences:
- A US work permit (EAD) allows someone who is already in the U.S. (on another visa type) to work legally in the country.
- But a US work visa is for people who are outside the U.S. and who want to enter the country for employment.
You only apply for a US work permit after you enter the U.S. under conditions (like asylum, DACA, or OPT).
US work visa types (Updated list)
Interestingly, there are many US work visa types that you can apply for and get US work authorization.
Each of the US work visa types serves different career paths and industries.
Here are the most common:
| Visa Type | Description | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | This US work visa is for skilled workers in speciality occupations like IT, engineering, or finance. Requires sponsorship. | 3 years (extendable to 6) |
| L-1 | For intracompany transfers from a foreign branch to a U.S. office. | 1–3 years (extendable) |
| O-1 | This US work visa is for individuals with extraordinary abilities in arts, science, or business. | 3 years (renewable) |
| TN Visa | For Canadian and Mexican professionals under NAFTA/USMCA. | Up to 3 years |
| E-2 Visa | For investors from treaty countries who open a business in the U.S. | Varies |
| J-1 Visa | For cultural exchange, interns, and researchers. | Up to 18 months |
| H-2A/H-2B | For seasonal agricultural or non-agricultural workers. | Seasonal |
| Green Card through Employment | Permanent work visa for skilled workers. | Indefinite |
If you’re not sure which type you should apply for, you can contact us at Avireed Visa and Immigration.
Or, you can consult a U.S. immigration lawyer, or you can go to the USCIS website here.
For someone who is not in the US already, you need to apply for a US work visa (from your country).
When your application is approved, you can now enter the US to work.
Now, this is another area where we can be of help to you. As a Visa and Immigration Firm, we can help you handle your US visa application process – from the beginning till you get approval.
If you are applying by yourself (which you can, the process is very simple), then you need to get the visa requirements and submit them to the US immigration authorities for approval.
US work visa requirements
Remember, we said at the beginning that each of the US work visa types has its own requirements?
Keep that in mind here. It works this way: if you are applying for an H-1B work visa, you will submit all H-1B work visa requirements.
The same happens when you are applying for an E-2 Visa; you will submit all E-2 Visa requirements.
While there are requirements that are specific to each US work visa type, some requirements are needed across the board.
They include:
1. Evidence of a job offer from a U.S. Employer
This requirement depends on the visa type. It is not needed all the time.
You can get a job offer from a company or employer in the United States.
In a US work visa that requires you to get a job offer, the employer will help start your visa process by filing a petition on your behalf.
2. An approved petition (Form I-129)
Your employer must file a petition called Form I-129 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
You can only apply for a visa after this form is approved. Without it, your application won’t move forward.
3. You need a labour certification (for Some Visas)
If you are going for a US work visa like the H-1B, you will need a Labour Condition Application (LCA) approved by the U.S. Department of Labour.
This helps protect your wages and working conditions.
4. Your international passport is also needed
Of course, you need your international passport to apply for a visa.
In this case, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the U.S.
If it’s expiring soon, you need to renew it before you apply for a visa.
5. You will need the visa application form (Form DS-160)
The U.S. visa application form is called the DS-160, and you can fill it out online.
6. Evidence of your visa application fee
For most US work visas, the application fee is around $190.
7. Receipt of petition approval (Form I-797)
Once your employer’s petition is approved, you’ll receive a notice called Form I-797.
This is proof that USCIS has approved the petition and that you can now apply for the visa.
8. Supporting documents
What you will bring as supporting documents depends on your situation.
It can be:
- Your passport
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Visa fee receipt
- Form I-797 (petition approval notice)
- A passport-sized photo
- Your job offer letter
- Any other documents specific to your visa type
9. You must have a clean background and be medically fit
You will need a police clearance certificate or medical records. If you’ve ever had legal or immigration issues before, this will affect your chances.
10. Proof you’ll Return (for Temporary Visas)
If you’re applying for a temporary (non-immigrant) work visa, you will be asked to prove that you plan to return to your home country when your visa expires.
You can use things like family ties, a job waiting back home, or property ownership as proof.
If you are already in the US on a visa that allows its holders to work, and wish to work, you can apply for an American work permit, not a work visa.
Remember, we shared the difference between the two, and we mentioned that if you are already in the US, that is when you will apply for a US work permit.
Upon approving your application, you can work legally in the USA.
US work permit requirements
To apply for a US work permit, you must:
- Be in the U.S. under an eligible visa (e.g., asylum, TPS, F1 OPT, etc.)
- Fill out Form I-765
- Pay a fee of $410 (this year’s estimate)
- Submit biometric data
- Provide supporting documents (passport, visa copy, I-94, etc.)
Once approved, you’ll receive an EAD card valid for 1–2 years.
For anyone applying from outside the USA. Here is how to get a US work visa.
How to Apply for a US Work Visa from Outside the U.S.
To apply for a United States work visa, you need to first:
- Get a Job Offer from a licensed employer: To get most US work visa types, you need a job offer from a U.S. employer.
- Employer Files Petition: When you get the job offer, your employer will file Form I-129 with USCIS.
- Receive Form I-797: If it’s approved, your employer will get an approval notice from USCIS.
- Apply at a U.S. Embassy: With the approval of your employer’s petition, you can then proceed to fill out Form DS-160 and schedule a visa interview.
- Attend Interview: During your visa interview, submit all your documents, including your passport, job offer, I-797, etc. The job offer letter makes it easier for your visa to be approved.
- Visa Approval: If approved, your visa will be stamped, and you can enter the U.S.
You cannot apply for most work visas without a sponsor, except for investor-based visas or OPT cases.
Work Visa USA Cost
The cost of a work visa USA depends on the type you need.
Here’s a breakdown:
- H-1B visa: $460 (Form I-129) + employer legal fees ($2,000–$4,000)
- L-1 visa: $460 + $500 fraud fee + employer fees
- O-1 visa: $460
- DS-160 fee (visa application): $185
- Premium Processing (optional): $2,805 (for faster processing)
Always confirm current prices on the USCIS fee calculator before you start your application.
US Companies that sponsor work visas
Every year, many US companies actively sponsor work visas, especially H-1B and L-1 visas.
Some of the companies are:
- Amazon
- Apple
- Microsoft
- Meta
- Infosys
- Tata Consultancy Services
- Deloitte
- Intel
- Capgemini
If you’re looking for US companies that sponsor work visas, tech and consulting firms are your best bet.
Easy Jobs in United States with visa sponsorship
Through the H-2A visa, Us employers can bring in foreign workers to fill seasonal or temporary agricultural jobs when there are not enough local workers.
Here are the jobs in the United States with visa sponsorship. You can apply for any of these jobs and get paid very well.
- Fruit and Vegetable Picker
- Livestock Farm Worker
- Greenhouse Labourer
- Dairy Farm Worker
- Crop Harvester (Grains, Corn, Cotton)
- Tree Farm Worker
- Irrigation Technician
- Beekeeping Assistant
- Poultry Farm Worker
- Farm Equipment Operator.
In other industries, you will find jobs like:
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Financial Analyst
- Software Developer / Engineer
- IT Project Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- Academic Researcher or University Lecturer
- Civil Engineer work
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
- Medical Technologist / Lab Technician
- Marketing Specialist / Digital Marketer
- UX/UI Designer
America Work Visa Apply: Best Time to Apply
If you genuinely want to move to the US for work, now is the right time to apply for work.
The US is welcoming both skilled and unskilled work from all over the world, and you can be among.
Whether you’re from Lagos, Nairobi, or Delhi, we can help you get started on working in the US.
From getting your US work visa to handling your flight and accommodation upon arrival, we have got you covered.