The Ins and Outs of Visa Sponsorship in the U.S.A.
Some of the most common questions immigration lawyers will get asked are “what is visa sponsorship?” and “how to sponsor an immigrant?” Unfortunately, the answers to those questions are not so simple or straightforward. There are many different options for visa sponsorship to the United States, including employment sponsorship, family-based sponsorship, and even a Green Card lottery.
In the below article, we will go through sponsorship definition and sponsorship requirements for a person or employer.
What Is Visa Sponsorship
Customarily, a U.S. visa sponsorship has been synonymous with a close family member or employer filing an immigration petition with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Essentially, a petitioner initiates the process by appealing to the U.S. government to grant that immigration benefit to the beneficiary. During that process, the employer or family petition will give evidence to the government that they have enough money to either pay the employee or take care of their family member. Without this proof, a person is unlikely to gain the right to live and work in the United States.
Employer sponsorship and family sponsorship are different from visitor visas in that the length of the stay in the U.S. is much shorter. In addition, foreign nationals of some countries do not even need to apply for a tourist visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and only need to apply for travel authorization under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). In essence, visa sponsorship doesn’t require sponsorship from a U.S. citizen or Green Card holder, whereas a trip or tourist visa does require a sponsor in some cases.
Visa Sponsorship Jobs
If you are interested in obtaining visa sponsorship through employment, you will need to apply for an H1B Visa with the USCIS. The best way to find an employer that is open to employment sponsorship is using an H1B visa sponsorship database. First, make a list of all the companies you find that have sponsored employees in the past and begin applying for positions compatible with your skillset.
Another option is to try and find an internship. If you’re already located in the U.S. on an F1 visa, try to find an internship at a company that has already sponsored other H1B visa petitions in the past. The process can be complicated, and if the company is already familiar with the process, this will make things a lot easier for you.
There are many major U.S. companies that offer H1B visa sponsorship. These companies exist in many different fields and offer fantastic employment opportunities for immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. Some of the largest, most lucrative companies offering visa sponsorship include:
- Amazon
- Microsoft
- Salesforce
If you’re considering employment sponsorship for a U.S. Green Card, we recommend using a lawyer as the immigration rules and regulations in the United States are notorious for being complex and overwhelming. Leiva Law Firm specializes in immigration and nationality law for international and national clients. Contact them today to schedule a consultation to discuss your specific immigration case.
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