What you need to know if you want to come to the US for work

People from all over the world see America as a place where they are free to pursue their goals. For many people, this means stable employment and a livable wage. The U.S. is also considered to be home to many of the most innovative and industry-leading companies in the world.

For these and many other reasons, immigrants from other countries want to come to the U.S. to work. However, there are some important considerations that people must make if they want to come to this country to work or if they as employers want to bring in foreign workers.

To begin with, it is crucial to understand that not every person will be allowed to come here to work. There are some people who are ineligible for entrance into the U.S. regardless of employment opportunities. If, for instance, a person has a lengthy or serious criminal record or if he or she has previously been removed from the U.S., that person could be prohibited from entering the country.

Further, if someone is coming here from another country for a specific job, there generally needs be a labor certification secured, according to employment-based immigration laws. These certifications establish a worker’s category, which is necessary because we have an employment-based priority system, as employment visas are limited. For instance, people with extraordinary or exceptional abilities are given higher priority than people who are categorized as immigrant investors.

Once these hurdles are cleared, a person will still need to provide appropriate documentation, complete an interview and necessary medical exams and pay the required fees in order to get the visa needed for entry into the country.

Considering all the challenges that can arise when a person is coming to the U.S. for work, it should not be a surprise that many people consult an attorney when they are navigating this process. With legal support, employers and prospective employees can get a clear understanding of what they need to do and what they should avoid in order to protect their employment options.