Why Apply for a US Work Visa for Indian?
Do you dream of expanding your career in the world’s best economy? Your US work visa for Indians opens the gates to a thousand opportunities for the Indian professional: to get international exposure, work with top companies, and achieve personal and professional development. At EduProfound, we simplify complex processes toward securing your US work visa and always support you step by step with expert advice. Let us help you make your American dream a reality—join forces with the best visa consultancy to take your career global!
Types of US Work Visa for Indian
The US does not have any general work visa; work visas are temporary for a certain period. Foreign employees who wish to work in the US can have different work purposes and different visa categories, such as study, tourism, or family reunification. However, the US work visa permit is mostly divided into two categories: immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas. Immigrant visas are for permanent residence, while non-immigrant visas are for temporary stays.
01.Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence)
An immigrant visa is a type of US work permit visa, wherein a visa is issued to any foreign individual for permanent residency. Usually, it is applied for a green card and live and work permanently.
A. Family-Based Immigrant Visas
US citizens who wish to meet their family members, usually sponsor visas for their Family.
- IR Visas: This visa is for immediate relatives like spouses, children, or parents of U.S. citizens.
F Visas: This visa is for family relatives, distant relatives, such as siblings or adult children of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents.
B. Employment – Based Immigrant Visas
This US work permit visa is for foreign employees who wish to immigrate to the US temporarily to work there.
- EB-1 (Priority Workers): Extra-ordinary performers or talented employees are granted EB-1 visas on a priority basis.
- EB-2 (Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability): The EB-2 visa is for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills.
- EB-3 (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers): For skilled and unskilled workers whose employment in the U.S. is necessary.
EB-5 (Immigrant Investor Program): The EB-5 visa is granted to investors who invest good capital in the US business.
C. Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV)
Diversity immigrant visas are issued to individuals from countries with low immigration rates. Under this scheme, individuals are randomly selected and are given a chance to get a Green Card Lottery to become lawful permanent residents.
2. Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Stay)
Non-immigrant visas are issued for specific purposes and durations. They do not provide a pathway to permanent residency.
A. Tourist and Business Visas
- B-1 (Business Visitors): The B-1 visas are issued to individuals who are traveling to the US temporarily for business purposes.
- B-2 (Tourist Visitors): The B-2 visa is issued to any individual, who is traveling to the US for either tourism, leisure, or to get any medical treatment done.
B. Student Visas
- F-1 (Academic Students): The F-1 visa is issued to individuals who are pursuing academic studies at U.S. institutions, such as universities or colleges.
M-1 (Vocational Students): The M-1 visa is issued to attend non-academic or vocational training programs.
C. Work Visas
Work visas are designed for individuals B-2 employed temporarily in the U.S. under specific conditions.
H Visas (Temporary Workers)
- H-1B (Specialty Occupations): For professionals in specialized fields (e.g., IT, engineering) with at least a bachelor’s degree.
- H-2A (Seasonal Agricultural Workers): For temporary agricultural work in the U.S.
- H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers): For non-agricultural labor, such as hospitality or construction.
- H-3 (Trainees): For individuals seeking training in the U.S. that is not available in their home country.
L Visas (Intracompany Transferees)
- L-1A (Managers and Executives): For employees of multinational companies transferring to U.S. offices in managerial or executive roles.
L-1B (Specialized Knowledge Workers): For employees with specialized knowledge of the company’s products or operations.
O Visas (Extraordinary Ability)
- O-1: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields such as arts, sciences, education, or athletics.
D. Exchange Visitor Visas
- J-1 (Exchange Visitors): For participants in exchange programs that promote cultural or educational exchange, including internships, au pairs, and research scholars.
Q-1 (Cultural Exchange Program): For individuals participating in international cultural exchange programs.
E. Diplomatic and Official Visas
- A Visas: For diplomats or foreign government officials traveling to the U.S. on official government business.
G Visas: For individuals working for international organizations, such as the United Nations.
F. Investor and Trade Visas
- E-1 (Treaty Traders): For individuals or employees of businesses engaged in substantial trade between the U.S. and their home country.
- E-2 (Treaty Investors): For investors from treaty countries who have made substantial investments in U.S. businesses.
03. Special Categories of Visas
A. U Visas (Victims of Crimes)
U-1 Visas: For victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement.
B. T Visas (Human Trafficking Victims)
T-1 Visas: For victims of human trafficking who are in the U.S. and willing to assist in the investigation or prosecution of traffickers.
C. K Visas (Fiancé or Spouse of U.S. Citizen)
- K-1: For foreign nationals engaged to U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. and get married.
K-3: For the spouses of U.S. citizens awaiting the approval of their immigrant visa petition.
Eligibility criteria, Validity, and fees
| Visa Type | Eligibility | Required Documents | Fees | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B (Specialty Occupations) | Individuals with specialized knowledge, bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field | Job offer from a U.S. employer, Form I-129, proof of degree, Labor Condition Application (LCA) | $460 (Form I-129 filing fee) + $500 (Fraud Prevention Fee) + other optional fees | Initially 3 years, extendable to 6 years |
| L-1 (Intracompany Transferee) | Employees of multinational companies transferring to U.S. offices | Job offer from a U.S. employer, Form I-129, supporting documentation from employer | $460 (Form I-129 filing fee) + other optional fees | Initially 1-3 years, extendable to 7 years (L-1A) or 5 years (L-1B) |
| O-1 (Extraordinary Ability) | Individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics | Form I-129, evidence of extraordinary ability, peer group or expert letters | $460 (Form I-129 filing fee) | Up to 3 years, with unlimited extensions in 1-year increments |
| TN (NAFTA Professionals) | Citizens of Canada or Mexico working in certain professional occupations under NAFTA | Proof of citizenship, job offer from a U.S. employer, credentials evaluation for professional qualifications | $160 (application fee) | Up to 3 years, renewable in 3-year increments |
| E-2 (Treaty Investor) | Nationals of treaty countries investing substantial capital in a U.S. business | Proof of investment, Form DS-160, proof of nationality | $205 (application fee) | Initial stay of 2 years, unlimited 2-year extensions |
| H-2B (Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers) | Foreign workers filling temporary non-agricultural jobs in the U.S. | Job offer from a U.S. employer, Form I-129, proof of temporary need | $460 (Form I-129 filing fee) | Up to 1 year, with extensions up to 3 years total |
| E-1 (Treaty Trader) | Nationals of treaty countries conducting substantial trade with the U.S. | Proof of substantial trade, Form DS-160, evidence of nationality | $205 (application fee) | Initial stay of 2 years, unlimited 2-year extensions |
| H-3 (Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visitor) | Foreign nationals receiving training in the U.S. not available in their home country | Job offer or training invitation, Form I-129, training program details | $460 (Form I-129 filing fee) | Up to 2 years, non-renewable |
Process / how to get us a work visa from India
Our process for a US work visa from India is always seamless at EduProfound. We guide you through any step – from document preparation to interview at the visa office. We ensure your journey to the US is smooth and hasstle-free.
01.Select the appropriate US Work Visa Type
Our expert US visa consultants guide you through the whole visa process, right from helping you select the right US work visa type to arrival to the US. once you decide your purpose for visiting the US and the duration, we suggest the appropriate visa type that fulfills your requirements.
02.Secure a Job Offer from a U.S. Employer
After you get the job offer from a US-based employer, our expert US visa consultants apply for your U.S. work visa. The employer will sponsor your visa application along with filing a petition on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
03.Complete the DS-160 Form
Once the petition applied by your employer is approved, we fill out your DS-160 form online. The DS-160 is the nonimmigrant visa application form. This form is very important to be filled out correctly, as it carries your us visa process forward with important barcode details to attend the interview.
04.Pay the Visa Application Fee
Visa application is also known as MRV fee. It is supposed to be paid after submitting the DS-160 form. The fee amount depends on the type of visa you are applying for. Fee payments will be done online through NEFT or mobile payment methods. After the fees is paid, we schedule your visa interview.
05.Attend Your Visa Interview
The visa interview is the most important part of the process. On the scheduled date, attend your interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. During the interview, the consular officer will assess whether you qualify for the work visa based on your petition, your job offer, and your intent to return to India after your temporary stay.
The Best Time To Apply For U.S. Work Permit Visa
The best time to apply for a U.S. work permit visa depends on the reason for visiting the US. For H-1B visas, the filing period opens in April with a start date of October 1st, so applying early is crucial due to the annual cap. L-1 and O-1 visas, which have no annual limits, can be applied for year-round, but it’s advisable to begin 3–4 months before your intended start date. Our US visa consultants advise you to avoid holiday or tourist season, to avoid any delays or rejections in your visa process.
Common reasons for visa denial
Your visa can be denied for several reasons. Some of the key points are mentioned below such as:
- Incomplete or inaccurate documentation
- Insufficient financial resources
- Failure to meet visa eligibility criteria
- Security or criminal concerns
- Prior visa violations or overstays
- Inadequate ties to home country
- Providing false information during the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions Related To US Work Visa For Indian
What are the types of U.S. work visas available for Indian citizens?
U.S. work visa options include H-1B, L-1, O-1, and H-2B, each catering to different types of jobs.
What are the requirements for an L-1 visa for intra-company transfers?
You must work for the company abroad for at least one year and be at a managerial or executive level.
What documents are required for a U.S. work visa application?
Documents include a valid passport, DS-160 confirmation, visa fee receipt, and employer’s approval notice.
How much does it cost to apply for a U.S. work visa from India?
The visa application fee typically ranges from $190 to $315, depending on the visa type.
How long does it take to process a U.S. work visa?
Processing usually takes 7-10 days, but can vary based on consulate availability and visa type.
What is the difference between a U.S. work visa and a work permit?
A work visa allows entry to work in the U.S., while a work permit (EAD) allows temporary employment.
Do I need a job offer to apply for a U.S. work visa?
Yes, most U.S. work visas, like the H-1B, require a job offer from a U.S. employer.
What is the validity of a U.S. work visa for Indian citizens?
The validity ranges from one to three years, depending on the visa type, with possible extensions.
Can I extend my U.S. work visa after it expires?
Yes, extensions are possible but depends on the visa type and employer sponsorship.
Is a medical test required for a U.S. work visa application?
No medical test is usually required for work visas, but a checkup is recommended before traveling.
