Do you Want to know about VISA sponsorship is and how it works? Get to know by reading this full article. One phrase on the lips of every intending immigrant to the United States is the term ‘VISA sponsorship’.
VISA Sponsorship
To officially start this discussion, it is right to start with the definition of the term, ‘visa sponsorship’
What is Visa Sponsorship?
VISA sponsorship is a term that describes a set of documents that states and guarantees the working status and the job profile of a person within the United States.
One of the best ways to relocate to the United States is to find a job, and the employer will have to be willing to hire a nonresident of the United States of America.
This means that the employer will have to be aware that you are not a resident of the United States of America and be willing to employ you despite that fact.
They will have to prove to the U.S government that they are about to be a legal resident of the United States of America with a particular threshold salary.
This whole process is commonly called VISA sponsorship. How can this be achieved? Take a look at the next part of this article;
Who Can Sponsor a Visa in the United States of America?
The whole process is only possible if you have a job offer in the United States from a U.S. company. This means that the company sponsoring your VISA will have to submit the various documents on your behalf.
This can only be done if the company in question if the company has made a job posting for the position with all the relevant documents properly submitted to the Department of Labor. If no U.S. citizen is equipped enough or willing to apply to be hired for the position, only then can a foreigner take the job.
How to Perform VISA sponsorship for an Immigrant in the U.S
To sponsor an immigrant to work in your company in the U.S., follow the steps below;
- Ensure the position to be occupied qualifies as a specialty position.
- Now, determine the rate of the position
- Notify the U.S. workforce of your decision to sponsor an immigrant for the job.
- The next step is to submit a Labor condition application to the DOL for certification.
- now, you can register with the USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and immigration service) for the annual H-1B lottery.
- Now await the lottery results
- If you qualify, submit a completed form l-129 to the USCIS
- Now, you can ask your prospective worker to apply for a VISA or admission.
U.S. Sponsorship Visa Requirements
This section is for the immigrant, here is a list of documents required for VISA sponsorship in the United States;
- A valid passport
- A nonimmigrant Visa application form (form DS – 160)
- The application fee payment receipt if you are required to pay before your interview
- A passport photo
- The receipt number for your approved petition as it appears on your petition for a non-immigrant worker, form, or notice of action, form l-797 all from the USCIS
- You must be able to prove that you will return to your native country once your work in the USA has been completed
Visa Sponsorship Letters
Unlike what lots of people think, VISA sponsorship is not just a letter but a set of documents that are submitted by an employer to sponsor the VISA to the U.S government.
The VISA sponsorship documents contain some forms and files that relate to the commitment of the employee’s recruitment details and it justifies the need for the employer to hire a non-U. S citizen.
These documents include statements where a company ensures that they are willing to go through the recruitment process. These documents are called recruitment papers.
Non-Immigrant Sponsorship
This sponsorship is used in situation where the individual is not allowed ultimately to be a U.S. citizen. It is valid for individuals who are only temporarily moving to the country.
The holders of this VISA will not be eligible for a Green Card.
If a job requires you to travel to the U.S. for a short period, you will require an EAD to work in the United States.
The term EAD is short for Employment Authorization Document.
Although there are different types of immigration VISAs, the following visas allow sponsorship from an employer.
- H-1B visa
- H-2A visa
- H-2B visa
- L1 visas
- O-1A visa
- O-1B visa
- O-2 visa
Visa Work Sponsorship
An immigrant who holds the immigrant work VISA sponsorship does not require a separate Authorization Document to work in the country.
With this work VISA, you will not only live and work in the United States, but you can also become a permanent resident.
This means that you can enroll in school, purchase properties, or even get yourself a driver’s license with this VISA arrangement.
Good examples of these types of VISAs are;
- EB-1 Visa
- EB-2 Visa
- EB-3 Visa
- EB-4 Visa
How to Get a Sponsorship Letter
The process of getting a sponsorship letter is long but we shall give you the details in very few steps below;
- Firstly, the employee or applicant will have to get an offer from a U.S. employer. This process usually includes the contract that goes into the sponsorship documents
- If you are applying for a nonimmigrant VISA, a labor certification has to be produced to the Department of Labor to show that the employer could not find a suitable employee within the country.
- This petition and all other documents will be submitted to the USCIS. The set of documents to be included here are contracts, itineraries, qualifications of the employee, and other documents.
- After all these documents have been submitted, the USCIS will then process the VISA sponsorship application. This might take some time depending on the total number of pending cases at the USCIS. It may even take months sometimes.
- Once your application has been approved, and the report is positive, the employer and employee will then be informed about the success of their application.
- Now the employee can start the actual VISA application process in the U.S. embassy of their home country.
- If it is rejected, both parties will also be informed.
Unskilled Jobs with Visa Sponsorship USA
VISA sponsorship can also be done for unskilled laborers. Here are some examples of these jobs;
- Parking Attendant
- Line Operator
- Fast Food Worker
- Cleaner or Janitor
- Construction Labourer
- Information Desk Clerk
- Vegetable Harvester
- Sewing Machine Operator
- Messenger
- Housekeeper
- Delivery Driver
How Much Does It Cost to Sponsor an Immigrant Worker
Generally, Visa sponsorship costs approximately $4000 and it may cost between $8000 to $9000 if a company has more than 50 employees and 50% of those employees are foreign nationals.
The table below contains the various types of VISAs and how much it costs to sponsor them;
| Visa/Form | Cost |
| Form I-129 | $460 |
| Form I-140 | $700 |
| American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 charges | $750 to $1,500 |
| Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee | $500 |
| For employers with more than 50 employees, with half of them being foreign nationals | $4,000 or $4,500 |
How Long Is a Visa Sponsorship Valid?
The validity of Visa sponsorship depends on the type of VISA you are working with. If you are going for an Immigrant VISA, then it is more or less a permanent solution. This means that you are a green card holder with a validity of ten years, and you can have unlimited extensions.
If you are looking for a nonimmigrant VISA, it would be valid for only one year or three years maximum depending on the type of VISA. When the Visa sponsorship approaches the expiry date, the employer can apply to the USCIS for an extension. However, in this case, this can be done a maximum of three times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Someone Sponsor Me To the USA?
The U.S. immigration laws do not allow people to sponsor other people just because of friendship. If an individual seeks to enter the U.S. through a family member, the person entering the U.S. must have a financial sponsor.
Who is a Sponsor?
A sponsor is someone who covers all the expenses for people who do not have an income certificate to pay their expenses during their trip.
Is It Possible to Get a Visa Without Sponsors?
Yes, it is possible. if you have the appropriate amount of money, you can go to the United States without a Sponsor.
Why Do I Need a Sponsor?
A sponsor is needed if there is no proof that travel expenses can be covered by the applicants for the VISA. In other words, if your account balance does not have a threshold amount for the last three months, you will need a sponsor.