This year, the US has opened up different work visas like H-1B, E, O, and L visas, which is great news for people looking for jobs there.
America is known for its diverse cultures, and they’re good at finding talented people for their companies.
US employers offer good pay and other benefits to their workers. Usually, you need a college degree to apply for these jobs.
Most US companies help with visa paperwork for job applicants. You can also apply for jobs online by looking up specific companies or non-profit organizations.
Today, we’ll tell you about companies that offer sponsored work visas. Even if you don’t have much experience, you can still apply for these jobs.
Did you know that the UK also has jobs that sponsor visas for people applying from outside the country? Let’s find out.
What is Visa Sponsorship?
A visa sponsorship means someone or a company (a sponsor) is looking after you while you’re in another country.
The sponsor asks the government if you can come in.
The rules for visa sponsorship vary depending on things like the country and type of visa. Usually, the sponsor promises to help you with money if you need it.
Who can be a sponsor?:
- U.S. employers: US companies can help a foreign worker get a visa or green card to work or live permanently in the U.S. The employer needs to show that no qualified Americans are available for the job and help the foreign worker apply for immigration benefits.
- US Family: U.S. immigration lets a U.S. citizen or someone with a green card (lawful permanent resident) sponsor a family member to move to the U.S. This means eligible family members can get immigrant visas or green cards and live with their U.S. citizen or green card holder relatives in the U.S.
- Humanitarian Sponsorship: Other than family or job sponsorship, there’s another way for people and groups to help foreign folks come to the U.S. Even if they’re not family or an employer, they can sponsor them. Certain humanitarian programs allow for financial sponsorship to let someone or a group in the U.S. take financial responsibility for a person coming over.
What types of visas can someone help with?
- Job visas: Employers help foreign workers for certain jobs.
- Family visas: Family members help relatives move in and live with them.
- Investment visas: People or groups help applicants invest in businesses or projects.
- Student visas: Schools help international students with their studies.
What are the sponsor’s duties?
- Providing financial support if needed.
- Make sure the person follows immigration rules.
- Giving the right paperwork and proof for the visa.
- Attending interviews or hearings for the person, sometimes.
Benefits of visa sponsorship:
- Visa helps businesses expand worldwide.
- Companies find skilled workers and discover new business opportunities.
- Visa support allows companies to move workers globally.
- This improves competitiveness and attracts remote workers.
- Visa assistance enables hiring top talent from anywhere.
- Employers can easily access experts and skilled individuals.
- Visa sponsorship promotes diversity and inclusion.
- Hiring people from various backgrounds enhances teamwork and creativity.
Here’s what you should think about:
- Getting a visa with sponsorship can be complicated. There are specific rules and steps you need to follow.
- If someone sponsors you for a visa, they have legal and financial duties toward you.
- Not every visa needs someone to sponsor you.
It’s a good idea to talk to an immigration lawyer. They can help you figure out the process.
Who is Eligible For Visa Sponsorship?
To be eligible and the eligibility for visa sponsorship depends on the type of Visa and the sponsoring country.
However, since we’re targeting the US already, eligibility is based on two edges; the sponsored individual and the sponsor.
For the sponsored individual:
- You need to have the right education, work experience, skills, be healthy and have enough money for the visa.
- You can’t have done any crimes.
- Keep your travel papers up to date.
- Show you’re still connected to your home country unless there’s a good reason.
For the sponsors:
- They must be a citizen or have the right to live there.
- They need enough money to help you.
- They must show proof of their relationship with you or agreement to help.
- They must stay on good terms with immigration people.
These are just basic tips, and what you need might be different depending on your visa type and where you’re going.
It’s best to talk to an immigration lawyer or the embassy/consulate for the country you’re interested in.
They can tell you exactly what you need to do and if you’re eligible.
Types of U.S. Visas Sponsored by Employers
There are different types of visas in the U.S. that companies can help with, each with its own rules and reasons. Here’s a quick look at some of the most common ones:
- H-1B: The H-1B visa is a work visa for the U.S. It lets American companies hire people from other countries who have special skills. These jobs usually need a bachelor’s degree or something similar. They’re often in areas like technology, finance, engineering, architecture, and others.
Requirements:
- A job offer from a U.S. employer for a job that needs special knowledge.
- Proof you have a bachelor’s degree or enough experience in that field.
- Your employer must prove there aren’t enough qualified Americans for the job.
- Fill out Form I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
- Know about the H-1B visa limit.
- Before you can apply, make sure you meet these requirements.
When you have an interview scheduled, bring these documents:
- Your passport, which should be valid for at least six months after your planned entry to the U.S.
- A printout of your Form DS-160 confirmation page.
- Copies of your approved I-129 petition and your I-797 approval.
- Receipts to show you paid your application fees.
- A passport-sized photo of you that meets U.S. State Department rules.
- 2. L1 Visa: The L1 Visa is for non-immigrants. It lets foreign companies move a manager, executive, or someone with special knowledge to a U.S. company.
The U.S. company has to be connected to the foreign company, like being a branch office, parent, subsidiary, or affiliate.
Requirements:
To get an L1 visa, these are the main things you need:
- The foreign company and the U.S. company must have a connection.
- The person coming to work in the U.S. must have worked full-time for the foreign company for at least a year in the last three years.
- The job at the foreign company must have been in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.
- The job at the U.S. company must also be in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge role.
- O-1 Visa: The O-1 visa is for people who are good at what they do, like science, art, education, business, or sports. It’s also for those who have done amazing things in movies or TV and are known nationally or internationally for it.
Requirements:
- The person must be famous nationally or internationally for what they’ve done.
- They must be coming to the U.S. to work in their area of expertise.
- They must talk to at least two experts in their field, who will write letters confirming their extraordinary ability.
- R1 visa: People who want to do religious work in the United States might think about getting an R1 visa. This visa lets religious workers work for a nonprofit religious group or church for up to five years.
Requirements:
- Be a member of a recognized religious group for at least two years, with a nonprofit religious group in the U.S.
- The same religious group must offer you a job in the U.S. for at least 20 hours a week.
- You must work as a clergy member or in a religious job.
Organizations eligibility:
- Nonprofit religious groups in the U.S.
- Religious groups with a tax exemption
- Nonprofit religious groups linked to a U.S. religious denomination.
What Documents Do You Need For U.S Sponsorship?
The papers you need for U.S. sponsorship depend on:
- The type of visa: Different visas need different papers. For example, an H-1B visa needs different papers than an O-1 visa.
- Who’s sponsoring and applying: Things like citizenship, relationships, and money can change the papers needed.
- Your situation: Sometimes you need extra papers, like school records or medical tests.
Here are some common papers for visas sponsored by employers:
For the Employer:
- Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker: This shows why the employer needs the foreign worker.
- Labor Certification and Wage Rate Determination: This proves the employer tried to hire Americans first and is paying the right wage.
- Company papers: Like financial statements, business licenses, and org charts.
For the Employee:
- Passport and travel documents: Bring your passport and any visas or travel papers you have.
- Education papers: Bring your diplomas, transcripts, and any proof of education related to your job.
- Work history: Bring letters from past jobs, pay stubs, and descriptions of what you did at work.
- Licenses and certifications: Bring any licenses or certificates you need for your job.
- Medical check: Some visas need specific medical tests.
- Financial proof: Depending on your visa and situation.
You might need other documents too, like:
- Proof of family relationship for family visas.
- Proof of being good at something for O-1 visas.
- Religious papers for R-1 visas.
Top Companies Offering Visa Sponsorship
Here’s a rundown of some companies and their approved H-1B visas in 2023:
- Accenture: They got approval for 1,441 visas. Accenture is an IT company serving clients in over 120 countries. They’re hiring for 196 jobs.
- Apple: They got approval for 2,956 visas. Apple makes consumer products and is focusing on diversity. They’re hiring for 1,020 jobs.
- Capgemini: They got approval for 1,744 visas. Capgemini is a big IT company with over 300,000 employees worldwide. They’re hiring for 127 jobs.
- Cisco: They got approval for 1,195 visas. Cisco is a big IT network with almost 80,000 employees globally. They’re hiring for 32 jobs.
- Cognizant: They got approval for 5,504 visas. Cognizant provides digital solutions and has over 300,000 employees worldwide. They’re hiring for various positions.
These companies help international professionals work in the U.S. If you’re interested, you can check out their job openings.
How to Find U.S. Visa Sponsorship Opportunities
Finding companies in the U.S. that will sponsor your visa can be tricky, but here are some tips to help you out:
Focus on your search:
- Look for companies in your field: Start by finding businesses in the U.S. that need your skills or work in the same industry as you.
- Check their websites: Some companies mention visa sponsorship on their job pages. Keep an eye out for terms like “visa sponsorship” or “H-1B.”
- Use job websites: Websites like Vizajobs and Indeed have filters to help you find jobs that offer visa sponsorship.
Network:
- Connect with professionals: Attend industry events or join online forums to meet people who work in your field in the U.S. They might know of companies that sponsor visas.
- Use LinkedIn: Reach out to recruiters or employees at companies you’re interested in. Let them know why you’d be a good fit for their team.
Explore specialized resources:
- Focus on your visa type: Websites like H1B Visa Lottery are tailored to people looking for H-1B visas.
- Check industry groups: Look for job boards or resources that are specific to your industry.
Be proactive:
- Find the right contacts: Try to contact hiring managers directly and explain why you’re interested in working for their company.
- Don’t be afraid to reach out: Sometimes, reaching out directly to companies that haven’t advertised visa sponsorship can pay off.
Look outside the U.S.:
- Check resources in your home country: Some government agencies or international offices may offer guidance on finding jobs in the U.S.
- Use student resources: If you’re a student, your university might have resources or connections to help you find sponsored positions.
Remember:
- Do your research: Make sure to learn as much as you can about a company before applying.
- Tailor your application: Customize your resume and cover letter for each job you apply to.
- Prepare for interviews: Practice answering common interview questions and be ready to talk about why you’re a good fit for the job.
- Consider getting help: If you’re having trouble, consider reaching out to an immigration attorney or career counselor for advice.
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a US Visa?
The amount of money to have readily in your bank account depends on the visa type.
– is it a migrant visa or a nonimmigrant visa?
However, having enough money to support your stay is most Important. Here’s what you should know:
Factors to consider:
- Visa type: Different visas have different financial expectations. Tourist visas may need more proof of funds compared to work or academic visas.
- Length of stay: Longer stays may require more evidence of financial support.
- Planned expenses: Think about your estimated travel costs, accommodation, food, and other expenses in the US.
- Income proof: Show evidence of your regular income or financial stability, like employment letters or bank statements.
- Sponsorship: If someone is sponsoring you, include documentation of their financial resources and commitment.
General guidelines (not exact requirements):
- Tourist visa: Some suggest having $6,000-$10,000, but it varies based on your situation.
- Student visa: There’s no set minimum, but you should show you can cover tuition, living expenses, and health insurance.l
- Work visa: Proof of your sponsor’s financial stability and your expected salary should be enough.
Here are some success tips:
- Keep your bank statements consistent, showing a steady income history.
- Avoid making large deposits right before your visa application.
- Customize your documentation to clearly outline your planned expenses and available funds.
- Consider seeking advice from an immigration attorney, especially tailored to your visa type and circumstances.
Remember:
- Financial resources are just one aspect considered in your visa application.
- Your application strength, purpose of travel, and adherence to immigration rules matter too.
- Focus on proving you can support yourself during your US stay.
Can a Friend Sponsor My Visa
No, your friend cannot directly sponsor your visa or green card application to the USA.
Immigration law only permits sponsorship for certain categories like family members, employers, and fiancés, which friends don’t fall under.
However, your friend can act as a financial sponsor if someone else is sponsoring your visa or green card.
This means they can file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) with USCIS, promising to support you financially to prevent reliance on government assistance upon entering the US.
Conclusion
Many people can’t pursue their dreams because they lack money.
This is often the case for foreigners wanting to achieve their goals in the US.
Luckily, the US has a strong economy and a good legal system, offering lots of opportunities for professionals, skilled workers, and students studying various subjects.
Now, I see nothing preventing you from taking that bold step.
