Work and Travel: How to Get a US Work Visa Quickly

Obtaining a US work visa can be a life-changing document that opens up a world of possibilities. Here are some tips for securing your US work vis quickly.

The largest drop in non-tourist US visas in 25 years occurred in 2020. This was due to the pandemic, but non-tourist visas are on the rise again. If you're thinking about getting a US work visa, you might be wondering where you should start. 

What can you do to get a visa quickly? Is there any way to speed up the process? What kind of documents do you need to get a work visa?



Keep reading and learn more about the requirements you need to quickly get a US work visa. 

What Do You Need to Apply for a US Work Visa?

Applying for a US work visa is a long process. There are not many things you can do to speed up the process. This is because much of it will be spent waiting for paperwork and responses. 

But you can make the process more efficient by making sure that you qualify for the visa you want to apply for. You can also speed up the process by making sure you have all your important documents ready. The first step is determining what work visa you want or need. 

This will depend on what kind of US employer or job offer you have. There are many types of visas for work that you can choose from. Some are temporary while others will allow you to stay in the country for long periods. 

Some visas are specifically for temporary agricultural workers such as the H-2A visa. Others are for people transferring between companies and those who work in special fields. There are some visas for artists and those in international cultural exchange programs. 

Each visa will have different requirements. But many of them will share much of the same required information. The first step is to obtain a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, also known as Form I-129. 

This form must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some of the steps for the application process can be done online. This can save you time and energy. 

But some of the steps will require you to go to a US embassy or consulate. The exact flow of steps will depend on what visa you're getting. The Nonimmigrant Visa Application known as Form DS-160 is one of the most common options. 

Scheduling and Attending the Interview

You need to schedule an interview after completing your application. This interview is necessary to confirm that you are who you say you are. It is also necessary to ask you questions about your visa and why you're applying for one.

The interview will be held at a US consulate or embassy. It is recommended that you schedule the appointment at the embassy that is closest to you. This will make it easier for you to attend. 

It is not possible to do this interview online. These interviews are required for most people, but some are exempt. Children who are 13 and younger don't need to go through this interview process.

People aged 80 and older also do not need to go through these interviews. People between the ages of 14 and 79 always need to complete the interview. There may be some exceptions if you are renewing an existing work visa. 

You should not wait to schedule an interview. Wait times can be very long, depending on your location. The wait time may be as short as a few days or as long as several months. 

The wait time will depend on which embassy or consulate you choose. There is not much you can do to speed up this waiting process except choose a different embassy.

You will need specific information to schedule this interview. Most people have a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (Form I-129). You can also schedule an interview if you have a Notice of Action, also known as Form I-797.

You will also need to pay a non-refundable fee for the interview. The fee is around $190, but the price may vary depending on your country.

After the Interview and Entering the US

You will have to wait to see if your interview is approved. This may take days, weeks, or months. It will take longer if your application requires further administrative processing. 

But this is usually not necessary unless there is something wrong with your application. Once you get approved, you will not receive your visa right away. You will have to wait for your visa and passport to come in the mail. 

This processing time will vary depending on how busy the system is. Getting the visa in the mail will make it official. It will then be possible for you to travel to the United States and legally work there for a given period. 

It is important to know when your visa expires. Staying in the country with an expired visa can get you into legal trouble. It is important to renew the visa long before it expires. 

This ensures that you won't risk working with an expired visa. You will receive a Form I-94, also known as an Arrival/Departure Record, upon arriving in the United States. 

You can still be denied entry into the United States with a visa. This choice comes down to the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. But this does not happen to most people with work visas. 

You should be free to enter the United States and work there as your visa permits. 

All About Getting a US Work Visa

Getting a US work visa is a long process. There is not much you can do to speed the process along. But you can make it more efficient by making sure you have all your documents necessary. 

Getting a work visa requires you to fill out an application and go through an interview. To learn more about getting a US work visa, reach out to Pablo G. Martinez Law Firm and check out our services.