Table of Contents:

1. Why Seek a Work Visa of the USA?
2. How to Get a Work Visa for the USA?
3. Benefits of US Work Visa for UK Citizens
   • H1B Visa
   • Green Card
4. Eligibility Criteria for US Work Visa for UK Citizen
5. What are the Requirements to Get Work Visa in the USA?
6. USA Work Visa Processing Time
7. USA Work Visa Processing Fee
8. What are the Steps to Apply
9. How Y-Axis Can Help You

 

Why Seek a Work Visa of the USA?

• Many ‘Fortune 100’ and ‘Fortune 500’ MNCs in ‘Land of Opportunities’
• Globally #1 economy
• Work 9-am to 5-pm/day or total 40-hour/week
• 85,000 H1B visa (most popular) by lottery per year
• Over 11,000 nonimmigrant work visas were issued to UK citizens in 2021

How to Get a Work Visa for the USA?

• UK citizens get 3 months of visa-free travel with the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to the USA under ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization only doing permissible activities under ESTA.
• UK citizens get to work in the USA with a Non-Immigrant Work Visa and Employment-based Immigrant Work Visa or Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) only.

• UK citizens as per their requirement can opt for any of the following:
  • B-1 Business Visitor Visa – for businessmen on related activities
  • H1B Visa – Specialty workers
  • H2B Visa – Temporary workers (Unskilled or Skilled workers on a temporary or seasonal job
  • H3 Visa – Exchange visitors (Trainees other than graduate medical education/training))
  • I Visa – Journalists and media professionals
  • R1 Visa – Religious workers
  • 01 Visa – For individuals with extraordinary ability
  • L1 A/B Visa – Intra-company transfer (Temporary transfer to USA branch mostly in bulk)
  • M - Vocational Workers
  • P1 Visa – International athletes, artists and support staff (single event)
  • E1/2 Visa – Treaty Traders/Treaty Investors
  • C-1/D Visa - Commercial Sea Vessels or International Airline Crew
  • J Visa - Exchange Workers
  • O-1/O-2 Visa - Exceptional Ability People, Entertainers, Athletes & support staff
  • Q-1 Visa - International Cultural Exchange
  • TN Visa - NAFTA professionals
  • EB1/2/3/4/5 Visa - employment-based visa or Green Card

Only H, L, O, P, Q, and R category visas to the USA are petition-based.

• The H1B visa, also the most popular allows you to remain in the USA for up to 3 years and it can be extended up to 6 years.
• The USA visa application process varies as per the visa you apply for, but primarily, USA-based employers need to submit a visa application on your behalf and provide evidence that you meet job requirements; for example, I-129 petition for H1B to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
• Once H1B is approved, you can start to live and work instantly if you are already in the USA. If not, you must bring your I-129F petition to the USA port of entry and fill Form 1-94 to live and work in the USA under an H1B visa.
• If you have a USA citizen or Permanent Resident/PR holder as relative, they can sponsor you for Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) to live and work in the USA.
• Also, you can get a USA work visa under:
  • EB1 – 1st preference employment-based visa for people with extraordinary ability.
  • EB2 – 2nd preference employment-based visa for people with advanced degrees.
  • EB3 – 3rd preference employment-based visas for skilled workers with bachelor’s degrees and other unskilled workers.
  • EB4 – 4th preference employment-based visas for religious workers, media broadcasters, and US Armed Forces members.
  • EB5 – 5th preference employment-based visa for investors willing to invest USD 0.5 million to 1 million in US businesses.
• If you apply for an EB1 Visa, you can petition for your visa by filing Form I-140. For other EB visas, the US sponsor (if applicable) must file a petition on your behalf.
• Once the I-140 form is approved you should file form I-485. Once approved you get a Green Card with right to work, and live in the USA permanently.

Benefits of US Work Visa for UK Citizens

H1B Visa

• Easy accessibility with proper qualifications and valid job offer.
• You can extend your stay duration beyond 6 years.
• Employment portability
• You are eligible for extended leaves (as needed).
• You have protection as foreign employee rights.
• Your family gets to enjoy social benefits.
• You can start own business.
• Apply for Green Card or Permanent Residency after 5 year.
• Get valid work authorization for your spouse.
• You get a guaranteed pay.
• Your children and spouse get to study in the USA.
• Change your employer if you have better job offer.

Green Card

• You can apply for USA citizenship after 3 years if married to a USA citizen or after 5 years.
• You can’t be deported to your home country unless you violate a law.
• You don’t have to renounce citizenship of your native country.
• The laws of the USA legally protect you.
• You can sponsor your family members for a green card.
• You can renew your green card after every 10 years.
• You can travel to and from the USA with more ease.
• You are eligible for all USA government benefits.
• You can apply for a variety of jobs.
• You can engage in local political activity.
• You can live and travel anywhere within the USA.

Eligibility Criteria for US Work Visa for UK Citizen

• For H-1B visa at least bachelor's degree from a university.
• For an L-1 A/B visa, work for at least 1 year in the last 3 years.
• For E-2 visa make "major" investment in bona fide USA enterprise.
• For an O-1 visa, show an amazing ability in your chosen field of work.
• Apply for a work visa from the UK.
• Confirmed employment in the USA (employer fills I-129, I-797 form).
• Employer has a labour certification from the USA labour department.
• Meet all health requirements for any type of visa.
• Meet police verification requirements.
• International recognition of exceptional achievement for EB1 visa.
• Eligible for a National Interest Waiver under EB2 visa.
• Create full-time jobs for at least 10 employees under EB5 visa.

What are the Requirements to Get Work Visa in the USA?

• Clear TOEFL and IELTS tests if English is not 1st language.
• 'Certificate of Sponsorship' given by the USA employer (if needed).
• Aged above 18 years and proof of age.
• Confirmed employment offer from licenced USA employer.
• Petition approved by the USCIS.
• Labor certification approval by the Department of Labor.
• Receipt number on petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (I-129 Form) filed by the employer in the USA.
• Confirmation that Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160 Form) filed.
• Proof you will return to your native country after your US work visa ends.
• All other documents to bolster your case.

USA Work Visa Processing Time

Visa	Time
E-1/2/3 visa	2 to 8 weeks
J-1 visa	1 to 4 months
Q-1 visa	15 days to 3 months
M-1 visa	At least 4 weeks
B-1/2 visa	A couple of weeks to 2 months
H-1B visa	3 to 6 months
H-1B1 visa	4 to 6 months
H-3 visa	4 to 6 weeks
L-1 visa	3 to 4 months
L-2 visa	15 days to 1 month
R-1 visa	8 to 9 months
P-1 visa	3 to 6 months
O visa	2 to 3 months
C visa	5 working days

USA Work Visa Processing Fee

New fees effective from June 17, 2023

Visa	Fees
Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q, R categories)	USD 205 OR UKP 169
E category (Treaty traders, Treaty investors)	USD 315 OR UKP 260
K – Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa	USD 265 OR UKP 218
Nonimmigrant (except E) (B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, TN/TD, S, T, U)	USD 185 OR UKP 152

What are the Steps to Apply?

• Gather all necessary paperwork
• Fill out the online application and print it.
• Attend visa interview when called.
• Fly off to the USA if the visa is approved.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

• We help identify the best strategy to boost your chances in getting a USA visa.
• Advise you on how to do the step-by-step filling of essential documents.
• We help you fill out the USA visa application and advise as needed.
• Review all your work visa-related documents before submission.
• Help polish your English by providing TOEFL coaching services.
• Assess yourself for free with the Y-Axis immigration point calculator.

 

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