What job you want to do will decide what kind of visa or work permit you need. There are many choices for people from other countries who want to work in the United States.
Some of these choices are green cards (which let you stay forever) because of your job, visas that let you study and work, and visas for temporary or seasonal work.
In the United States, people from other countries can find many different kinds of jobs. Living and working in a new country, learning a new way of life, and making new friends can be very fun and exciting.
Some people move to the United States to stay forever for school or work, while others only come for a little while.
Here, you will learn about how to work in the United States, including work visas, green cards, and the green card lottery, and how to stay away from visa scams. Since getting a visa can take a lot of time, you should apply a long time before you plan to move.
How to Get a Work Visa in the United States
If you want to work in the United States and you are not a citizen or a permanent resident, you need to get permission to work there. This permission comes in the form of a work visa and a work permit called an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
There are different types of work visas available for people from other countries who want to work in the United States. These visas include temporary work visas, seasonal work visas, and exchange worker visas.
Before you can start working in the United States, you need to get a visa from the United States Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the nearest country where you live.
Make sure to learn about the different types of work visas available in the United States and what requirements you need to meet for each one. You should also find out how to apply for a visa to work in the United States.
Workers with Work Authorization in the United States
Permanent immigrant employees, temporary (non-immigrant) workers, and student and exchange workers are among the foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States.
- Exchange Visitor Visas
- U.S. Green Card Holders
- Skilled Temporary Work Visas
- Non-Agricultural Temporary Work Visas
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas
- Obtaining a Green Card
A green card, properly known as the United States Lawful Permanent Residency, allows employees to live and work in the United States forever.
Some categories, however, require a certification from the United States Department of Labor demonstrating that there are not enough able, willing, qualified, and available American workers in the geographic area where the immigrant will be employed and that no American workers will be displaced by foreign workers.
The yearly green card lottery (Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) gives potential immigrants the chance to become permanent legal residents of the United States. Each year, this program awards up to 50,000 green cards to applicants who are chosen at random in a lottery known as the “Green Card Lottery.” Those interested in applying for the Green Card Lottery can do so online.
How to Get a Social Security Card
If you are not a citizen of the United States but are interested in working there, one important thing you need to have is a social security number. A social security number is a unique identification number issued by the U.S. government to track your earnings and monitor your eligibility for various benefits and services.
Having a social security number is crucial for employment purposes in the United States. It serves as an essential document for employers to verify your identity and eligibility to work legally in the country. When you apply for jobs, employers will often ask for your social security number to complete hiring and payroll processes.
To obtain a social security number as a non-American citizen, you typically need to follow a specific process. First, you must have a valid reason for needing a social security number, such as getting a job or applying for government benefits. Once you have a valid reason, you will need to apply for a social security number by visiting a local Social Security Administration (SSA) office.
When you go to the SSA office, you will need to bring certain documents with you. These documents may include your passport, visa, and any other immigration-related documents that establish your legal status in the United States. You may also need to provide proof of your age, identity, and work eligibility.
At the SSA office, you will need to fill out an application form for a social security number. The form will ask for personal information such as your name, date of birth, address, and contact details. Once you submit the application along with the required documents, the SSA will review your application and process your request.
If approved, you will be issued a social security number, and a card will be sent to you by mail. This card will display your name and the unique nine-digit social security number assigned to you. It is important to keep your social security number confidential and secure, as it contains sensitive personal information.
Having a social security number opens doors to various opportunities for non-American citizens in the United States, including employment, tax filing, and accessing certain government benefits. It is a vital piece of identification that allows you to legally work and participate in the U.S. economy.
How to Obtain a Work Permit in the United States
If you are not a United States citizen or a lawful permanent resident, but you want to work in the country, there are a few important documents you will need. One of these documents is called a work permit, which is also known as an Employment Authorization Document or EAD. This permit is necessary to show that you are allowed to work in the United States.
In order to work legally in the United States as a non-citizen, you will need both a work visa and an EAD. A work visa is a special document that allows you to enter the country for employment purposes. It is typically obtained from the United States Embassy or Consulate in your home country or the country where you currently reside.
Once you have obtained the necessary work visa and have entered the United States, you will need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document. This document, also known as a work permit or EAD, is issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It serves as official proof that you are authorized to work in the United States for a specific period of time.
To apply for an EAD, you will need to fill out an application form provided by the USCIS. The form will require you to provide personal information, such as your name, address, and immigration status. You may also need to include supporting documents, such as a copy of your passport, visa, and any other relevant immigration documents.
Once you have completed the application form and gathered all the necessary documents, you will need to submit them to the USCIS for processing. They will review your application, verify your eligibility, and make a decision on whether to approve your request for an EAD.
If your application is approved, you will receive your Employment Authorization Document, which will contain important information such as your name, photograph, and the dates of validity. This document will serve as proof to your employer that you are allowed to work in the United States.
It’s important to note that the work permit or EAD is typically issued for a specific period of time and may need to be renewed before it expires if you wish to continue working in the United States. It’s crucial to keep track of the expiration date and begin the renewal process in a timely manner to ensure uninterrupted authorization to work in the country.
Verifying Work Eligibility
When you want to work in the United States, it’s important to show that you have the right to work legally in the country. This is done to ensure that all employees are authorized to work and that employers are hiring individuals who are eligible to work in the United States.
To demonstrate your eligibility, you are required to fill out a form called the I-9 form. This form is used by employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of their employees. It helps establish that you are legally allowed to work in the United States.
The I-9 form asks for some basic information about you, such as your name, address, date of birth, and social security number. You will also need to provide documents to prove your identity and work authorization. These documents can include a valid passport, a driver’s license, a social security card, or other acceptable forms of identification.
It’s important to fill out the I-9 form accurately and honestly, providing the required documents as proof. Employers are responsible for ensuring that the information provided is correct and that the documents are valid. They must keep the completed I-9 forms on file for a certain period of time and may be subject to audits to verify compliance with employment eligibility regulations.
By requiring employees to complete the I-9 form, the United States government aims to maintain a legal and authorized workforce. It helps prevent unauthorized individuals from obtaining employment and protects both employees and employers from potential legal issues.
Avoid Visa Scams in the United States
When looking for work in the United States, be wary of scammers that promise to help you acquire a visa. It’s essential to note that there are never any fees associated with applying for a work visa in the United States or obtaining US government application paperwork or instructions.
Three-pointers to help you remain ahead of the pack
There’s no reason to be concerned. Fortunately, there are certain things you CAN do to get around this flawed system and obtain your ideal job!
Use it in a certain way.
When a job search does not provide quick results and feedback is scarce (which is nearly usually the case), some people go crazy and apply for everything they can find online.
This will not assist in reversing the problem. Instead, take some time to investigate the companies you want to work for and the issues they confront. Make careful to highlight comparable challenges you’ve addressed in the past in your resume.
Connecting directly with the hiring manager on LinkedIn and giving them a personalized letter is far more impactful than applying online. You’ll be OK if you can figure out what keeps them up at night and how you can help them by employing you.
Improve the headline and summary of your LinkedIn profile.
What you bring to the table should be reflected in your LinkedIn headline.
Your current/desired work title is an excellent place to start, but make sure you utilize the full 120 characters to appear in as many recruiter searches as possible. Each term you miss loses you 10 to 20 search appearances every week.
Although some people use amusing terms like “guru” or “ninja” to characterize themselves, this is not suggested in practice because recruiters would never look for those words.
The summary is another option. You should use those 2000 characters to distinguish yourself and show some individuality. Your executive summary should be similar to an elevator pitch. It’s best if you write it in the first person.
When you have an interview, don’t drop everything.
Too many people stop applying and reaching out once they’ve been asked for an interview.
This isn’t a good plan! A phone interview or in-person interview is a long way from a job offer, and anything may happen in the interim.
They could hire an internal applicant (you’d be amazed how often that occurs after advertising a position online), their finances might be frozen, there could be a reorganization that changes the recruiting team and goals, or they could be unable to agree on candidates and put the process on pause.