Provide specific facts and figures for your educational or employment accomplishments Only include work experience that is directly relevant to the position you’re applying to Use simple and consistent fonts and formatting Be specific about your English language proficiency
Set up an account on LinkedIn (if you don’t already have one). Many employers use your LinkedIn profile as your résumé, especially if you’re also applying online. If a company has hired people from your home country before, they’re more likely to do so again. Network with colleagues from your country who now work in the US and find out what companies they work for. If you don’t know people who meet this description personally, try searching for them on LinkedIn and send messages to people you find.
Watch out for scam employment agencies that claim they can find you a job in the US. Never pay an upfront fee to an employment agency.
Look at your cover letter and résumé as marketing tools. You’re essentially selling your services to the employer. Show them that they need you on their team. Research each employer thoroughly and use information from your research in your cover letter. This tells the employer that you have an understanding of their business.
Schedule your follow-up calls or emails starting 1 week after you submit your application. After that, follow up again based on the response you got the first time you followed up. For example, if the employer tells you that someone will be in touch with you in 3 days and you don’t hear anything in that time, call back on the 4th day. Even if you’re not getting any responses to your attempts to follow up on your application, don’t call or email an employer more than once a week. If you don’t get anything after a month, it’s usually best to quit pursuing them.
Even if you’re interviewing online, dress as you would if you were meeting in person. Try to find a professional-looking place (even if it’s just in front of a blank wall) where you can speak without interruption. Research the company before the interview and write down 2-3 questions to ask your interviewer about the company based on your research. If English isn’t your first language, you might want to rehearse with someone before your interview so you have some statements prepared. Be ready to discuss your relevant skills and experiences and describe your professional accomplishments.
Tell your employer they need to file a petition for you to come to America. Point to the forms and instructions on the USCIS website. Provide your employer information about your passport, citizenship status.
Some categories require labor certification or approval from the US Department of Labor. The categories that require certification are listed in the instructions for the petition. There are a few categories of temporary non-immigrant work visas that will allow you to come and work in the US without an employer petition. To qualify for a visa in these categories, you generally need to be involved in international trade or investment. As of 2020, professionals who are citizens of either Mexico or Canada do not need a petition to work in the US temporarily. [13] X Trustworthy Source US Citizenship and Immigration Services U. S. government agency in charge of the naturalization and immigration systems Go to source
Some categories of temporary workers are limited, with only a set number of visas being issued each year. Depending on the time of year when your employer files the petition and the number of applicants already waiting, it could be several years before the petition is approved.
Your valid passport Your travel itinerary, if you’ve already made travel plans or booked a flight Your résumé or curriculum vitae (for information about your education and work history) The dates of your last 5 visits to the US, if you’ve previously visited the country, as well as your international travel history in the past 5 years
The DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application requires you to provide information about yourself, including your education and work history and your criminal background. All of your answers must be written in English. If you don’t feel that your English is strong enough to answer all the questions, you can get someone to help you.
Digital images must be square, a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels. Make sure it’s in JPEG format and no larger than 240 kb. [18] X Research source
The website will display a confirmation page with a barcode. Print this page and keep it in a safe place — you’ll need it for your interview at your local US embassy or consulate.
Ask if you need to be interviewed by a consular officer. If you do, they’ll schedule a time for you to come in for your interview. [21] X Research source You’ll also get information about the local embassy or consulate when you submit your online application. Check the website for any local rules regarding interviews that are specific to that location. The consular officer you speak with will also likely go over these rules with you.
Review your original documents Pay your $190 visa application fee[23] X Research source Get your fingerprints taken Find out whether your application has been approved or requires further processing
You may have to pay an additional fee when your visa is issued. These fees depend on your country of citizenship. The consular officer will let you know if you have to pay a fee and how much it is. [25] X Research source
Some petitions may also require certification from the US Department of Labor (DOL). If your employer doesn’t have a lot of international employees, they might not be well-versed in this process. In that situation, it’s a good idea to talk to an attorney who specializes in immigration law — many of them give free initial consultations. They can help walk you through the process so you can explain to your employer what you need from them.
Your priority date determines when you can file your application to become a permanent resident. If you file your application too early, USCIS will reject it and you’ll have to do the whole thing all over again.
If your priority date is earlier than the date listed, you can also file your application. However, if your priority date is after the date listed, you’ll have to wait at least until that date before you can file your application. If there is a “C” instead of a date, that means applications are currently being accepted.
The civil surgeon’s role is to make sure you don’t have a communicable disease that could endanger the public health or a physical or mental disorder associated with harmful behavior. They’ll also make sure you have proof of all required vaccinations and give you vaccinations as needed. Depending on the results of your examination, the civil surgeon might refer you to another doctor for follow-up treatment. Not arranging for follow-up treatment could result in denial of your green card application. If you show signs of drug addiction or abuse, you will likely not be eligible for a green card.
It’s a good idea to read through the instructions before you start filling out the form. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you might want to talk to an attorney who specializes in immigration law.
2 passport-sized photos of yourself taken in the last 6 months The front and back of a valid, government-issued photo ID Your birth certificate Passport page with admission or parole stamp and nonimmigrant visa Arrival-departure record Medical exam report and vaccination record Certified police record and court records of any criminal charges, arrests, or convictions
Include a check or money order for your filing fee. As of 2020, fees for Form I-485 total $1225. This includes a filing fee of $1,140 and a biometric services fee of $85. Make checks or money orders payable to “U. S. Department of Homeland Security. "
At the appointment, a USCIS officer will take your fingerprints and get your signature. If you didn’t submit photos with your application, or if your photos weren’t acceptable, you’ll also get your photo made at this time.
Your notice will tell you what you need to bring with you to your interview. Usually, you need to bring originals of all the copies of supporting documents that you submitted with your application. At the interview, a USCIS officer will ask you questions about the information on your application. Your answers are under oath, so answer completely and honestly. If you don’t understand a question, ask the officer for clarification.
If more documentation or information is needed to process your application, USCIS will send you a notice. Provide the requested documentation by the date listed on the notice or your application will be denied. Contact USCIS if you have difficulty getting any of the requested documents by the deadline. In the meantime, you can check the status of your application through your USCIS online account or by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283.
