Why Seek a Work Visa of the USA?

• Many ‘Fortune 100’ and ‘Fortune 500’ MNCs in ‘Land of Opportunities’
• Globally #1 economy
• Work 9-am to 5-pm/day or total 40-hour/week
• 85,000 H1B visa (most popular) by lottery per year
• Over 11,000 nonimmigrant work visas were issued to UK citizens in 2021

How to Get a Work Visa for the USA?

• UK citizens get 3 months of visa-free travel with the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to the USA under ESTA or Electronic System for Travel Authorization only doing permissible activities under ESTA.
• UK citizens get to work in the USA with a Non-Immigrant Work Visa and Employment-based Immigrant Work Visa or Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) only.

• UK citizens as per their requirement can opt for any of the following:
  • B-1 Business Visitor Visa – for businessmen on related activities
  • H1B Visa – Specialty workers
  • H2B Visa – Temporary workers (Unskilled or Skilled workers on a temporary or seasonal job
  • H3 Visa – Exchange visitors (Trainees other than graduate medical education/training))
  • I Visa – Journalists and media professionals
  • R1 Visa – Religious workers
  • 01 Visa – For individuals with extraordinary ability
  • L1 A/B Visa – Intra-company transfer (Temporary transfer to USA branch mostly in bulk)
  • M - Vocational Workers
  • P1 Visa – International athletes, artists and support staff (single event)
  • E1/2 Visa – Treaty Traders/Treaty Investors
  • C-1/D Visa - Commercial Sea Vessels or International Airline Crew
  • J Visa - Exchange Workers
  • O-1/O-2 Visa - Exceptional Ability People, Entertainers, Athletes & support staff
  • Q-1 Visa - International Cultural Exchange
  • TN Visa - NAFTA professionals
  • EB1/2/3/4/5 Visa - employment-based visa or Green Card

Only H, L, O, P, Q, and R category visas to the USA are petition-based.

• The H1B visa, also the most popular allows you to remain in the USA for up to 3 years and it can be extended up to 6 years.
• The USA visa application process varies as per the visa you apply for, but primarily, USA-based employers need to submit a visa application on your behalf and provide evidence that you meet job requirements; for example, I-129 petition for H1B to USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services).
• Once H1B is approved, you can start to live and work instantly if you are already in the USA. If not, you must bring your I-129F petition to the USA port of entry and fill Form 1-94 to live and work in the USA under an H1B visa.
• If you have a USA citizen or Permanent Resident/PR holder as relative, they can sponsor you for Permanent Residence Card (Green Card) to live and work in the USA.
• Also, you can get a USA work visa under:
  • EB1 – 1st preference employment-based visa for people with extraordinary ability.
  • EB2 – 2nd preference employment-based visa for people with advanced degrees.
  • EB3 – 3rd preference employment-based visas for skilled workers with bachelor’s degrees and other unskilled workers.
  • EB4 – 4th preference employment-based visas for religious workers, media broadcasters, and US Armed Forces members.
  • EB5 – 5th preference employment-based visa for investors willing to invest USD 0.5 million to 1 million in US businesses.
• If you apply for an EB1 Visa, you can petition for your visa by filing Form I-140. For other EB visas, the US sponsor (if applicable) must file a petition on your behalf.
• Once the I-140 form is approved you should file form I-485. Once approved you get a Green Card with right to work, and live in the USA permanently.

Benefits of US Work Visa for UK Citizens

H1B Visa

• Easy accessibility with proper qualifications and valid job offer.
• You can extend your stay duration beyond 6 years.
• Employment portability
• You are eligible for extended leaves (as needed).
• You have protection as foreign employee rights.
• Your family gets to enjoy social benefits.
• You can start own business.
• Apply for Green Card or Permanent Residency after 5 year.
• Get valid work authorization for your spouse.
• You get a guaranteed pay.
• Your children and spouse get to study in the USA.
• Change your employer if you have better job offer.

Green Card

• You can apply for USA citizenship after 3 years if married to a USA citizen or after 5 years.
• You can’t be deported to your home country unless you violate a law.
• You don’t have to renounce citizenship of your native country.
• The laws of the USA legally protect you.
• You can sponsor your family members for a green card.
• You can renew your green card after every 10 years.
• You can travel to and from the USA with more ease.
• You are eligible for all USA government benefits.
• You can apply for a variety of jobs.
• You can engage in local political activity.
• You can live and travel anywhere within the USA.

Eligibility Criteria for US Work Visa for UK Citizen

• For H-1B visa at least bachelor's degree from a university.
• For an L-1 A/B visa, work for at least 1 year in the last 3 years.
• For E-2 visa make "major" investment in bona fide USA enterprise.
• For an O-1 visa, show an amazing ability in your chosen field of work.
• Apply for a work visa from the UK.
• Confirmed employment in the USA (employer fills I-129, I-797 form).
• Employer has a labour certification from the USA labour department.
• Meet all health requirements for any type of visa.
• Meet police verification requirements.
• International recognition of exceptional achievement for EB1 visa.
• Eligible for a National Interest Waiver under EB2 visa.
• Create full-time jobs for at least 10 employees under EB5 visa.

What are the Requirements to Get Work Visa in the USA?

• Clear TOEFL and IELTS tests if English is not 1st language.
• 'Certificate of Sponsorship' given by the USA employer (if needed).
• Aged above 18 years and proof of age.
• Confirmed employment offer from licenced USA employer.
• Petition approved by the USCIS.
• Labor certification approval by the Department of Labor.
• Receipt number on petition for Nonimmigrant Worker (I-129 Form) filed by the employer in the USA.
• Confirmation that Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160 Form) filed.
• Proof you will return to your native country after your US work visa ends.
• All other documents to bolster your case.

USA Work Visa Processing Time

Visa	Time
E-1/2/3 visa	2 to 8 weeks
J-1 visa	1 to 4 months
Q-1 visa	15 days to 3 months
M-1 visa	At least 4 weeks
B-1/2 visa	A couple of weeks to 2 months
H-1B visa	3 to 6 months
H-1B1 visa	4 to 6 months
H-3 visa	4 to 6 weeks
L-1 visa	3 to 4 months
L-2 visa	15 days to 1 month
R-1 visa	8 to 9 months
P-1 visa	3 to 6 months
O visa	2 to 3 months
C visa	5 working days

USA Work Visa Processing Fee

New fees effective from June 17, 2023

Visa	Fees
Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q, R categories)	USD 205 OR UKP 169
E category (Treaty traders, Treaty investors)	USD 315 OR UKP 260
K – Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa	USD 265 OR UKP 218
Nonimmigrant (except E) (B, C-1, D, F, I, J, M, TN/TD, S, T, U)	USD 185 OR UKP 152

What are the Steps to Apply?

• Gather all necessary paperwork
• Fill out the online application and print it.
• Attend visa interview when called.
• Fly off to the USA if the visa is approved.

How Y-Axis Can Help You?

• We help identify the best strategy to boost your chances in getting a USA visa.
• Advise you on how to do the step-by-step filling of essential documents.
• We help you fill out the USA visa application and advise as needed.
• Review all your work visa-related documents before submission.
• Help polish your English by providing TOEFL coaching services.
• Assess yourself for free with the Y-Axis immigration point calculator.