Interested in a Work Visa? Speak to Our Work Visas Attorney Los Angeles

In a global economy, talent is a transferable resource. You never know where your knowledge and skills will be in the highest demand. If you have found a position in the United States, then you may be able to immigrate and live in the country indefinitely. You will first have to get an immigration visa. And this is best done by hiring legal representation from a reputable law firm.

Having an employment visa will allow you to work in the United States. The company that has recruited you can sponsor your application. You can apply for a temporary or permanent visa. Regardless of the type of visa you seek, you will need to submit detailed information about your work history, home country, and what you intend to do in the country.

Attorneys who are well-versed in handling work visa cases in Los Angeles help companies and immigrants submit such applications to the proper authorities. The visa process has changed over the last decade. There is more scrutiny than ever, and the process is more challenging. However, highly qualified professionals are still welcome to the United States. An immigration lawyer in Los Angeles will provide you with the insight and advice you need to navigate the process successfully.

Getting a Temporary Visa

You may be recruited to work on a specific project or some other line of work that has a fixed expiration date. If this is the case, then you will want to seek a temporary employment visa. The H1-B visa program is the most common type of temporary visa. You can only get this kind of visa if you possess skills that are relevant to the job and if your employer can justify their need to recruit workers outside of the country.

You can also apply for an L visa if you are an employee in an international company and need to transfer to a U.S. office of your firm for a certain amount of time. L visas are also for agricultural workers, free trade professionals, athletes, and those who work in education, research, and the arts.

Getting a Permanent Visa

Obtaining a permanent visa will give you more rights and protections under the law. A permanent visa will never expire, and it will allow you to bring your spouse and young children to the United States. The U.S. issues thousands of visas each year. You will have a better chance of getting one if you have exceptional skills and talent.

Permanent work visas consist of the following categories:

1. EB-1

The EB-1 visa is for workers of extraordinary ability in the fields of academia and business. Those with the right qualifications and expertise may fall into this category. Qualified immigrants include persons who are at the top of their field in academia and executives of global companies.

2. EB-2

The EB-2 visa is for workers who have advanced degrees seeking employment-based green cards. They are also for people with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business, and for people who advance the national economy or the cultural or educational interests of the nation. This visa would allow them temporary to permanent residency in the U.S.

3. EB-3

The EB-3 visa is for skilled workers and professionals who have at least 2 years of experience in their field and can demonstrate that they are qualified for the position they seek.

4. EB-5

The EB-5 visa is for qualified investors who can support economic growth through investment in commercial business in the country.

There are also slots available for religious workers and persons who have served the United States in a foreign country.

What’s An EB-4 Visa?

Around 140,000 employment sponsored visas are given to immigrants each year. Once their application is processed, they become citizens of the United States. As previously listed, there are five different employment visas based on strict criteria and eligibility. The EB-4 visa is allocated to specialized immigrants, like religious workers. Other immigrants who may apply to work in the United States are:

• Broadcasters.
• Iraqis who have helped the United States.
• Physicians.
• An international organization employee.
• An Afghan or Iraqi translator.
• A Panama Canal Zone employee.
• Employees of NATO-6 who are retired.
• Children and spouses of deceased employees of NATO-6.
• An armed forces member.

Depending on the classification, your family may be able to join you. However, you children must be under the age of 21 and unmarried. This article clarifies EB-4 visa requirements, possible application fees and obtaining permanent resident status.

The Job of an Immigration Attorney

The attorney you hire will help you complete and submit your application. One of the first things they will do is get a labor certification. This involves getting the United States Department of Labor to certify that there is an insufficient number of U.S.-born workers who are qualified and available to work in the job for which your company needs you. This document further certifies that your employment will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of U.S. workers who are similarly employed.

If you are an employer, an employment-based immigration attorney in Los Angeles can help you get work authorization for employees who were once unable to work in the United States. The recently developed Employment Eligibility Verification Form (Form I-9) reduces the amount of paperwork needed to employ someone. It gives employers the ability to make a good faith defense against oversights when vetting prospective employees, and it offers some protection against government sanctions and criminal prosecution.

Get the Help You Need

If you have found the perfect job in the United States, you should not be discouraged from it by the visa application process. If you have a company that is desperate to employ you, then they will give you the sponsorship and legal support that you need to get through it. You may need to return to your home country after a time. However, it may be possible for you to obtain a permanent visa and make a home in the United States. You will then be able to bring your family over. Obtaining a permanent employment-based visa will also provide you a clear path to citizenship.