AdminThe H-1B visa sponsorship offers skilled foreign workers an opportunity to live and work in the United States for a given period. Despite this, foreign caregivers have found it difficult to get sponsorship to work in the U.S. Well, this is one of the questions we will be answering in this blog post. This blog post will offer you a complete guide on H-1B visa sponsorship for caregivers who want to work in the U.S. You wouldn’t want to miss reading it.
What Is The H-1B Visa?
The H-1B Visa is a type of U.S. work visa that allows foreign workers to temporarily live and work in the U.S. During this period, they will be able to work in a specialized field where their services are seriously needed. This visa is one of the most competitive work visa options that many foreign workers seek in order to live and work in the United States.
With this visa, skilled workers can stay in the United States for 3 years. However, this period can be extended to about 6 years maximum. Along with that, you cannot apply on your own. Your employer must be the one to file a petition on your behalf before you do the work from your end. In some cases, the H-1B visa can make you eligible to file for a permanent resident permit. With this, you can live and work for many years in the United States along with your family.
What Occupation Does H-1B Visa Cover?
On a normal basis, caregivers do not usually qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship. This is because it is not considered a specialty occupation according to U.S. immigration standards. According to U.S. immigration, most caregiving jobs do not require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum entry point. Hence, the usual decline in caregiving visa sponsorships.
Most times, these are the most favored occupations for H-1Bvisa sponsorships are:
• Information Technology (IT) professionals.
• Engineers.
• Finance.
• Healthcare.
• Research and Education.
The reason why this occupation is favored is that this occupation requires a Bachelor’s Degree as the minimum entry point. As a result, it is easy for those who are skilled in this profession to apply and work in the United States.
Can Caregivers Qualify for H-1B Sponsorship?
In recent times, they have been leniency towards caregivers who intend to get an H-1B visa sponsorship in the U.S. Immigration lawyers have filed H-1B visas by showing that the caregiver fits into these three categories:
1. The Caregiver holds a degree in nursing, gerontology, rehabilitation, or a related field.
2. The Caregiver has several years of experience which is backed by certifications.
3. The Caregiver currently practices his healthcare occupation at a reputable agency or institution.
So, in order words, to increase your chances of getting a U.S visa sponsorship as a caregiver, it goes beyond the basics. Yes, ordinary nannies, personal aid companions, and other basic occupations do not always qualify for H-1B visas. To increase your chances of qualifying for H-1B visas, caregivers should have a background and degree in healthcare and should be skilled professionals. Now, those who have these backgrounds are usually referred to as “Elite Caregivers.”
The next question is, what occupation falls under the “Elite Caregivers”? The next subheading discusses that.
Elite Caregiver Roles
Below are some of the elite caregiver roles that are usually offered on H-1B Visas:
1. Geriatric Care Manager
The Geriatric Care Manager role usually qualifies for H-1B visas because those under this category have a background in social work, nursing, gerontology, or healthcare management. As a result, these require a degree that qualifies them for caregiving roles in the United States.
2. Live-in Nurse Specialist
A Live-in Nurse Specialist may qualify for an H-1B visa as a caregiver if he or she is a licensed nurse with a relevant degree and the job involves professional medical responsibilities. The basic function of this caregiver involves living with the patient and offering round-the-clock medical support.
3. Home Health Coordinator
The Home Health Coordinator role is like a managerial and administrative position that may supervise other caregivers or nurses. Of course, this position requires a degree in health administration, nursing, or a related field. This means that it can be considered as a specialty occupation which makes it eligible for H-1B visas.
4. Therapy Assistant or Mobility Trainer
The Therapy Assistant or Mobility Trainer’s job involves working with patients who need physical assistance with mobility after injury or due to disability. This position may qualify for an H-1B visa if the specialist possesses a degree in either kinesiology, physiotherapy, or a similar field. With that in check, this individual can get an H-1B visa without hassle.
5. Bilingual Medical Caregiver
The basic duty of the Bilingual Medical Caregiver involves interpreting and explaining medication instructions, diagnoses, and treatment plans. In rare situations, individuals with a degree in medical interpretation or linguistics could justify a specialty occupation status.
It is good to note that there is no specific list outlined by the U.S. immigration of specialty occupations that are eligible for H-1B visas. However, the eligibility for the H-1B is based on the minimum educational requirement and the nature of duties.
The H-1B Sponsorship Process
Kindly check with your potential employer if the employer has followed these procedures:
Step 1. Job Offer From A U.S. employer
The first step in getting an H-1B visa sponsorship as a foreign worker is to get a job offer. Your potential U.S. employer must offer you a job that meets the standard specialty occupation for caregivers in the U.S.
This means that, as mentioned earlier, the job must require a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a specialized field relating to health care. This bachelor’s degree can be a U.S. bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent degree.
Step 2. Filing a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor
After your employer has sent the job offer to you, the next step for your employer would be to file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) via the Form ETA 9035. You must ask your employer whether he has filed for this because it ensures that your employer is offering to pay the standard wage for the position in the geographic area.
The form is also helpful in ensuring that your potential employer is offering working conditions that do not negatively affect other U.S. workers. When filed, this process takes about 7 days for your potential employer to receive the certification.
Step 3. Submitting Form I-129 to USCIS
Now, the next step is to submit the official visa petition (form I-129) to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This petition should include other secondary documents such as the certified LCA that was done earlier, details of the job offer, proof of the employee’s qualifications, any necessary degree evaluations, and copies of passports, transcripts, and CVs.
After this, payment for this filing is done. Your potential employer is expected to pay fees ranging from $2,000 — $10,000 depending on how big the company is and the type of the company. At this stage, you are not expected to pay as an employee. Only your employer should pay for this. In most cases, when you are asked to pay for this filing, it may turn out to be a scam.
Step 4. USCIS Petition Approval And Visa Processing
If your employer’s petition is selected and approved, you’ll then need to follow some steps if you’re outside the U.S. First, go to the U.S. embassy in your country. Then, inform them that your employer’s petition has been approved. You’ll be asked to pay the visa application fee, and a time will be scheduled for your visa interview.
During this process, you’ll need to bring all your documents such as your passport, employment letter, DS-160 confirmation, and transcripts. After the interview, you’ll receive a H-1B visa stamp on your passport. As a result, you’ll be able to enter the United States even before your start date.
How To Find H-1B Visa Sponsorship
There are several avenues to find H-1B visa sponsorship. Here they are:
1. MyVisaJobs.
2. H1Bdata.info.
3. Glassdoor.
4. Indeed.
Other agencies could occasionally offer visa sponsorship opportunities for caregivers too.
So far, you’ve seen the steps involved in H-1B visa sponsorship. Well, if you think that may be too much for you, there are some alternatives you could explore. Let’s consider some of them.
Alternatives to the H-1B Visa for Caregivers
Below are alternatives to the H-1B Visa for caregivers:
1. H-2B Visa
The H-2B visa is a type of work visa that allows U.S. employers to employ foreign workers temporarily. Unlike the H-1B visa, this visa allows foreign workers to work as nannies, companions, or home aids on a one-time basis. This visa usually thrives during periods when the employer may need help when they are busy or need an extra hand for an activity.
This visa is usually valid for a year only. In addition, there are no degrees required for this job. Along with that, the employer must prove that there are no available U.S. workers to fill that role. However, you should note that the number of H-2B visas is limited every year. So, the earlier you apply the better your chances.
2. J-1 Visa
The J-1 Visa is another type of visa you can go for if the H-1B visa sponsorship is not for you. This visa is designed to serve as a means of experiencing cultural change. With this visa, you are allowed to live with American families to provide childcare services in exchange for a stipend. This visa is designed for young people between the ages of 18 – 26 years of age.
It is important to note that this visa program does not apply to care for the elderly or hospital care. Rather, only childcare services are covered with this visa. Also, you are only allowed to stay for one year, but it can be extended to two years.
3. B-1 Domestic Employee Visa
This visa is designed for personal caregivers or housekeepers who are coming into the U.S. with foreign employers. For instance, Foreign government officials may come into the U.S. with their caregivers. That’s when this visa is applicable.
This visa is granted only temporarily and it is attached to the foreign employer’s stay. You cannot also apply for permanent residency if you hold this visa. Since it is dependent on the foreign employer, the employer should be able to provide evidence of employment, such as an employment letter, upon request.
Conclusion
There you go! All questions regarding H-1B visa sponsorship have been answered, and much more. No doubt, you’ve benefited from reading this article. Do you have any questions you’d like to ask?
Kindly comment using the box below.
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