The H1B visa is already one of the most popular visas, and demand continues to grow. Even though competition for these visas is fierce, it’s worth pursuing if you have long-term career goals in the United States. While short-term work and travel visas are great is you just want to take a peek around, an H1B visa is your best choice if you intend to spend a significant amount – if not the rest of – your life living, working, and even going to school in the United States.
The H1B visa is a common first step to Green Card sponsorship. An H1B visa is a three-year work visa that can be extended to up to six years. Many employers go on to sponsor H1B visa holders for a Green Card so the employee can continue to live in the United States and work for their company. At the same time, H1B visa holders can bring their spouses and dependents with them to live in the United States, so it’s a great way to integrate the family into life in a new country.
Another reason the H1B visa is a good option for people with long-term goals in the US is that you don’t have to prove your intent to return to your country of origin to have this visa approved. Most visas prohibit dual intent and require applicants to prove they have sufficient responsibilities, ties, and funds in their country of origin to come back to before approving their visas. The H1B visa, on the other hand, is a dual intent visa, so you don’t have to prove you intend to return. This is a great option if you plan to stay in the US for the long-term, or if you’re not sure yet.
If you’re long-term goals in the United States are to go to graduate school, an H1B visa offers the unique opportunity to work part time under this visa status.
H1B visa status is a vehicle to help you achieve your long-term goals. You can make the most of your visa and your time in the United States with the unique flexibility and freedom this particular visa status offers.