How can I get a work visa without a job offer in the US?

Living and working in the USA is an ambition that many people share. It's the land of the free and the home of the brave, where if you work hard, you can achieve anything you want to. But moving to the United States of America is never an easy thing to do.

Should you wish to move and work in America, your two options are going to be either getting a job before you move, or finding one once you have moved. In this article, we'll be answering some of your questions such as "How can I get a work visa for USA?" and "Can I get a work visa without a job offer?"

1. How to Get a US Work Visa without a Job Offer

If your dream is to work in the United States of America, you will need one of the E Visas (or O Visas if you only want to work temporarily).

To be able to qualify for any of these kinds of Visas, you will need to be highly qualified and ready to prove that you are. The purpose of the E Visa is to encourage the best and brightest from all over the world to start a life in America where they can contribute to the American culture, economy, and society.

Should you be awarded an E Visa, there is a very high likelihood that your spouse and children will be allowed to join you. In some cases, the parents may be allowed too, but this may depend upon your circumstances. Having such a visa is an excellent first step towards getting a green card.

Types of US Work Visas That Don't Require a Job Offer

E1 is for people with extraordinary abilities. This ability can be in the arts (be the performance of physical), professors and researchers or managers, and executives. To qualify for this kind of visa, you will need to show proof of your abilities; you can do this with publications, awards, portfolios, and letters of reference.

The E2 Visa is similar to the E1, in the sense that it can only be obtained by people with exceptional ability. To get an E2 visa, you will need to have an advanced degree; this is particularly beneficial if it's a degree that is in short supply among the American people.

E3 Visa is for people who have skills, training, or qualifications which American companies are likely to require, and have found a shortage among the American people. To be eligible for this visa, you will need either two years of training (minimum), or a professional degree.

The E4 Visa will cover a variety of different areas. E4 is for people who are religious ministers, Iraqi or Afghan translators, medical graduates, or employees of international organisations.

And finally, the E5 is for rich people. Should you wish to apply for this visa, you will need to prove that you'll be able to invest at least $500,000 into the US economy, and you will need to use this money to generate jobs for the citizens of America.

Can you get a Work Visa Without a Job?

Yes! And you believe you could be eligible for one of these Visa types, get in touch with your American Embassy. But please remember that once you are in the USA, you will likely be required to either start a company or look for a job.

How to get Sponsored for Employment in the USA

The other option is, of course, to look for a job before entering the country. This way, even if you don't qualify for any of the E Visas, you can still have a career and start a life in the USA. Applying for a job that comes with a visa is the option that most people go for, and most of us do not possess an "Extraordinary Ability".

The type of visa that you will need to have in this scenario is known as an H1B visa, and obtaining this visa (on your behalf) will be the responsibility of your employer. Therefore, to get hold of it, it might be wise to try and find a job that you have been specially trained to do or that you will be particularly good at.

If you're already living in the USA, you could be able to qualify for an H1B visa by getting an internship, unpaid work which can help advance your career.

Please remember that profiting from the visa application process is a crime, and should your employer ask you for money for being able to give you a visa, what they're doing is illegal, and is most probably a scam of some sort.

Working in a University can be a great option (if you can qualify) because unlike most businesses, there is no limit to how many people a university can sponsor to live and work in the USA.

You might also have luck working for a large corporation such as Amazon, Google, or Facebook who are known to sponsor people with an H1B Visa regularly.

Step by Step Guide of Getting an H1B Visa

The first step is that you will need to find a sponsor. If applying for an H1B Visa, this is going to be your employer. To find a job where you can be sponsored on an H1B Visa, you'll need to search for one (probably using the internet).

Your employer will then need approval from Labor Conditions Approval. They will ensure that the conditions you will be working in are safe and to the law. This process is to stop employers from simply hiring cheap labour and disregarding human rights.

With your working conditions approved, your employer will need to submit an I-129 form. The form will usually take around 3-4 months to process.

And finally, you will need to complete your application at your US Embassy or Consulate.

Conclusion

If, before reading this, you were wondering, "Do I need a work permit to work in the USA", you now know that the answer is yes.

You can obtain this permit before getting a job, but only if you qualify for one of the five E Visas. But most people get it with their H1B visa, which is sorted out by their employer.

If possible, it will be better to get an E Visa, as your ability to stay won't be connected to your job, but a limited number of people will be eligible for such a visa type.