The USA is a land of chances, and for lots of folks, getting a U.S. visa is the first step toward making their dreams come true.
But getting a visa can be tough, especially if you don’t have someone to back you up.
If you want to move to the USA in 2024, there are several chances for visa support.
In this blog, we’ll talk about some common types of support, and we’ll also give you some tips for finding an employer willing to sponsor you.
5 Types of Visa Sponsorship Opportunities to U.S
Visa sponsorship to the US is simply permission to enter the US through a recognized route.
These routes can be a career, profession, or situation. There are lots of ways you can get visa sponsorship in the US, but here are the top 5:
#1. Tourist or Business Visa
If you want to visit the US for tourism or business, there are two types of visas available.
They’re often combined into one. You need to show the consular officer that you’re only staying temporarily and that you have enough money for your expenses.
You also need proof that you live outside the US. With this visa, you can’t work.
#2. Work Visa
For temporary work in the US, you need a specific visa depending on your job.
The USCIS must approve your application for visas like H, L, O, P, and Q.
Before applying for a work visa at the consulate, your Form I-129 must be approved.
Your employer will get a notice (Form I-797) once your petition is approved. You’ll need to bring copies of these forms to your consulate interview.
#3. Student Visa
If you’re coming to the US for school, your institution must accept you first.
After acceptance, you’ll get the documents needed for your student visa application.
You have 120 days from the start date on your I-20 to apply for the visa, and then 30 more days to leave the country if needed.
There are two types of student visas:
- F-1 Visa:For academic programs at recognized US universities for English improvement programs.
- M-1 Visa:For vocational or non-academic training.
#4. Exchange Visitor Visa
You can come to the US for exchange programs, but you need approval from the program sponsor first.
The J Visa is for exchange visitors in various fields like teaching, research, and training.
#5. Religious Worker Visa
If you want to work temporarily in a religious capacity in the US, you can apply for an R-type visa.
U.S. Visa Sponsorship Opportunities: 2025 Update for Application
As said earlier, your occupation or condition determines the type of Visa sponsorship you’ll need to enter the US. Here are 7 temporary work visas designed for specific purposes:
- H-2A Visa:Meant for temporary agricultural workers involved in seasonal or temporary agricultural work.
- H-2B Visa:Designed for temporary non-agricultural workers engaged in seasonal or temporary non-agricultural work.
- H-3 Visa:For trainees or special education visitors seeking training not available in their home country, excluding graduate medical or academic training.
- L1 Visa:Intracompany transferees who work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of their current employer in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
- P-1 Visa:For individual or team athletes and members of entertainment groups performing at specific events with internationally recognized levels of sustained performance.
- P-2 Visa:For artists or entertainers (individual or group) participating in reciprocal exchange programs between US and foreign organizations.
- P-3 Visa:For artists or entertainers (individual or group) engaged in culturally unique, traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performances.
Bonus:
- R-1 Visa:Temporary nonimmigrant religious workers, limited to ministers and those directly involved in religious work.
- TN Visa:For NAFTA workers, allowing professionals like lawyers, scientists, engineers, and teachers from Canada to work temporarily in the US.
- O1 Visa:Geared towards individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, business, education, athletics, or art, with international recognition for their work.
There may be an upgrade to these visas any moment from today, so we’ll advise that you check usa.gov for temporary work visa updates.
How to find Employers Willing to Sponsor in the US
Companies willing to sponsor your visa to the US are those employers that support their employees in obtaining a visa and work permit to the US.
Although it can be hard to find such employers in the US, they exist, and here’s how to get them:
- Get help from people you know: Ask your friends, old classmates, or anyone else you know if they know someone who can help you find a job in the US. Go to events and meetings where you can meet potential employers.
- Check out companies:Look into companies in your field. Find ones that have helped people get work visas before, especially in industries that need skilled workers. Search online for jobs and check out company websites.
- Use social media: Make your LinkedIn profile and other social media accounts look good to American employers. If you’re in a job that needs a good image, make a website to show off your work. Keep it real and stick to what you’re good at. And get rid of any embarrassing photos.
- Make yourself look good:Show off your skills and work history on your resume and cover letter. Tailor them to each job you apply for. Tell them you’re keen to work in the US and you’re up for getting a visa.
- Know the visa rules:Find out what you need for the visa you want. For example, for an H-1B visa, your employer has to ask the US Department of Labor first. Learn about the rules and get ready to talk about them in interviews.
Where to Find Companies Willing to Sponsor in the U.S.
Use these highlights to find Employers in the US willing to sponsor your visa to the US:
- Browse job websites:Look at places like LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and job boards focused on visas.
- Visit company sites: Go to the websites of companies in your industry to check if they talk about sponsoring visas in their job ads.
- Build connections:Link up with people in your field, attend industry events, and join networks to find companies open to hiring visa holders.
- Use recruiters: Think about teaming up with recruiters or firms specializing in international placements.
- Check associations:Explore groups tied to your job or industry for info on companies keen on hiring from abroad.
FAQs
#1. Can a friend sponsor my US visa?
A friend can act as a financial sponsor.
However, for visa or green card applications, the applicant must still have someone else who serves as the primary sponsor. This sponsor can be an employee, relative, or fiancé.
#2. Can one get a US work visa without sponsorship?
In some cases, individuals can qualify for a work visa without a sponsoring employer. One such visa is the Extraordinary Ability (EB-1A) visa.
If you have exceptional skills in areas like sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, you might be eligible for this visa.
Conclusion
For you: Microsoft helps with H-1B, L-1, and TN visas, mostly for jobs like software engineers and data scientists.
Google can sponsor H-1B, L-1, and O-1 visas, mainly for roles like engineers, product managers, and researchers.
Apple supports H-1B, L-1, and TN visas, especially for software engineers and hardware designers.
To find U.S. Visa Sponsorship Opportunities in 2024, you can look on job websites, talk to people in your industry, and check out companies known for helping with visas, good luck.