How to Get a US Work Visa When You Don't Have a Job Offer (2024)

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11th of May 2020

In this article

Obtaining a US visa is difficult in general circ*mstances but for those who have a joboffer, the process is much simpler. If you are in a position where you do not have a job offer but youwant to live and work in the US as a foreign national, your options are fairly limited.These are some of the visas that do not require a job offer andthe requirements attached to each:

EB-1A

This type of visa is for people that are able to demonstrate extraordinary ability inthe sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or internationalacclaim. These types of visa are only attainable by a very small number of people, forexample, people who have been awarded international awards for their ability. Outstandingresearchers and professors are also able to apply for an EB-1A visa, with therequirement that they have received international recognition for their achievements in their field.

EB-4

The special immigrant EB-4 visa is for certain religious workers and employees ofUS foreign service posts.

EB-5

The EB-5 visa is for investors,and anyone applying for this must have a minimum of $900,000 to invest in a UScommercial project. The investment is aimed at providing more employment in areas of the USwhere there are high levels of employment. There is no requirement for a job offer but the investmentproject must be approved. The investment minimum used to be $500,000 but was increasedto $900,000 in November 2019.

Other working visa options

As you can see, these types of visas that do not require the applicant to have a job offer are onlyavailable to a very select set of people. In all othercases, working visascan only be obtained if the applicant has been given a job offer. As part ofthe relevant visa application process, the applicant will be requested to providewritten confirmation of the job offer, the length of time that the working contract is forand the salary that the role is for.

The employer must have labor certification to confirm that the role could not be filled by a USworker, so that US employment is prioritized before any foreign workers are granted a visa to work inthe country. The visa will usually be granted to last the length of time that theemployment contract lasts for, although it is possible to apply to extend the visafor some visa types.

It is difficult to gain permanent employment in the US andunder tourist visas orstudent visas, working is not permitted.There are limited numbers of visas that can be issued each fiscal year and the numbers can change,making it even more difficult for employers to hire undercertain types of strong working visas. There is also the cost of the visa to account for,which is another factor that has seen changes, with manyof the working visas being subjected to recent fee increases.

Written by Abisola Fikayomi

Abisola is an accomplished writer interested in US Travel, immigration, passportsand visas. She’s passionate about exploring new places and cultures and willing to shareher experiences, expertize and findings with others. That is her primary drive forspecialising in this industry.

How to Get a US Work Visa When You Don't Have a Job Offer (3)

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