Obtaining A Work Visa: Common FAQs

The United States is known as the land of opportunity, and it is easy to see why. There are jobs to be found in almost every area of the country. Therefore, if you are looking to come to the U.S. for work, you should have no trouble finding it. However, to be legally allowed in the country to work, you will have to obtain a work visa. Take a look at some of the things you will want to know if you plan to apply for a work visa. 

Do you have to already have a job to get a work visa in the U.S.?

The answer to this question will rely on what kind of work visa you are trying to get and your personal situation. Some types of work visas do require that you have a job offer because the person who is offering you employment will actually be filing a petition with the immigration office for you. The H-1B work visa is an example of a work visa that does require that you have a standing job offer. There are some visas that can be obtained if you have specific career qualities that are highly sought after in the United States even if you do not have a job offer. 

How much will it cost to obtain a work visa?

The cost will depend on what type of work visa you apply for. However, there are some general guidelines that can be helpful to know if you plan to try and get a work visa. The basic fee for a non-immigrant, non-petition visa is $160. Petition-based visas have an application fee of $190. Of course, your fees will vary according to different factors, and a lot of people trust a service provider to help them obtain a visa as well. 

Is it good to hire an attorney to help you get a work visa?

Obtaining a work visa can be a long and arduous process that is hard to understand if you are not familiar. Therefore, it is always helpful if you have an attorney who can help you make sure you are eligible and complete the application process. Your immigration attorney can help you work through any problems you may run into that can slow you down or land you a rejected application, but they can also offer sound legal advice about how to get approved.  


Share