What does visa sponsorship mean?
Visa sponsorship is the process by which a foreign national obtains permission to live legally in the United States. A sponsor is a U.S. entity that is willing to file a visa application with the U.S. government and assume responsibility for the individual and their actions during their entire stay in the United States under the relevant visa category. A foreign national cannot legally work in the USA without being sponsored for a visa.
It does not necessarily mean that the visa sponsor will also be the financial sponsor and cover the visa processing fees.
U.S. employers typically pay visa processing fees for jobs in labor shortages because they have no alternative. Foreign nationals typically pay the visa processing fees as individuals who aim to gain personal and professional experience in the USA and grow in their careers.
Who needs a visa sponsorship through a U.S.-based employer?
Foreign individuals who are neither American citizens, Green card holders, except:
Foreign individuals who have a spouse who has obtained a non-immigrant visa, such as an H-1B, E-2, J-1, L-1, or O-1 visa, can be added as a dependent and request work authorization.
Foreign individuals who have one of their parent(s), spouse, child(s), or sibling(s) who is an American citizen or green card holder willing to sponsor can be sponsored by the person himself. In that case, a lawyer in immigration law is recommended.
Individuals who win the EDV Green Card lottery also do not need visa sponsorship.
Individuals transferred in the USA by their current company may also be sponsored by their current company.
Those who possess an extraordinary ability in the arts or athletics, or have achieved extraordinary success in the motion picture or television industry, may be sponsored by a talent agency instead of a direct employer. In that case, a lawyer in immigration law is recommended.
Those who want to create their own company in the US or invest $ 800,000 or more in a business that will benefit the U.S. economy and create jobs may be eligible to sponsor themselves. In that case, a lawyer in immigration law is recommended.
If you do not fall under any of the situations above, you will need a visa sponsorship through a U.S.-based employer.
How to find a U.S.-based employer willing to sponsor foreign individuals?
Search on job boards such as LinkedIn or Indeed with specific keywords to find jobs that sponsor a visa.
