By Alex P. Vidal
“The most positive step is to try to expand the employment base by making it, if not economically friendly, at least not economically disastrous, for studios to take on deficits.”— Dick Wolf
THOSE intending to obtain a visa for employment in the United States may check the list below in this article provided by the Filipinos of New York, a community organization that “unites and empowers members living in New York, preserves cultural heritage, and promotes Bayanihan spirit and equality for all.”
Filipinos for New York revealed the “Visa options for Filipinos: Exploring employment-based to the U.S.”
“I strongly recommend consulting with an experienced immigration attorney or accredited representative who can help you determine which employment-based visa category may be best suited to your circumstances and guide you through the application process,” Filipinos of New York’s Robert RDB suggested.
There are reportedly 21 employment-based visa categories a Filipino can apply for in the US.
Filipinos, like any other foreign nationals, may be eligible to apply for 21 various employment-based visas to work in the United States.
Here are some of the most common employment-based visa categories:
EW-3 visa – This visa is the specific category for unskilled workers who are new arrivals. Other workers performing unskilled labor, not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States. Sub-categories include EW9 for spouses of EW3 holders and EW0 for the children of EW3 who are adjusting status.
EW-8 visa – This visa is the specific category for unskilled workers who are new arrivals. Other workers performing unskilled labor, not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
H-1B visa: This visa is for individuals in “specialty occupations,” which require a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is typically used by professionals in fields such as IT, engineering, science, and healthcare.
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H-2B visa: This visa is for temporary nonagricultural workers who are performing seasonal, peak load or intermittent work for which there are not enough U.S. workers available. This visa is subject to an annual cap.
L-1 visa: This visa is for employees of international companies who are being transferred to a U.S. branch or subsidiary of their company. It can also be used for employees of a U.S. company who are being transferred to a related company abroad.
E-1 visa: This visa is for treaty traders who are coming to the U.S. to engage in substantial trade between the U.S. and their home country. The treaty must exist between the U.S. and the foreign country of which the applicant is a citizen.
E-2 visa: This visa is for individuals who are investing a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business or who are starting a new business in the U.S. This visa is only available to citizens of countries with which the U.S. has a treaty of commerce and navigation, and the Philippines is one of the eligible countries.
E-3 visa: This visa is similar to the H-1B visa but is specifically for Filipinos with citizenship in Australia who are coming to the U.S. to work in a specialty occupation.
O-1 visa: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, and is often used by entertainers, athletes, and researchers.
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TN visa: This visa is for Filipinos with citizenship in Canada or Mexico who work in certain professions, such as accountants, engineers, scientists, and teachers. While Filipinos are not eligible for this visa category, they may be eligible for other nonimmigrant visa categories.
EB-1 visa: This visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; or multinational executives or managers.
EB-2 visa: This visa is for individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business who will substantially benefit the U.S. economy, cultural or educational interests, or welfare.
EB-3 visa: This visa is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers who perform work for which qualified workers are not available in the U.S.
EB-4 visa: This visa is for special immigrants, such as religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and others.
EB-5 visa: This visa is for investors who invest a minimum of $1.8 million (or $900,000 in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. that creates at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
J-1 visa: This visa is for individuals participating in exchange programs, such as research scholars, professors, trainees, and interns.
P visa: This visa is for athletes, artists, and entertainers who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to participate in a specific event or performance.
R visa: This visa is for religious workers who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to work in a religious vocation or occupation.
Q visa: This visa is for individuals participating in international cultural exchange programs, such as those involving practical training, employment, and sharing of history, culture, and traditions.
H-1B1 visa: This visa is similar to the H-1B visa, but is specifically for Filipinos with citizenship in Singapore and Chile who are coming to the U.S. to work in a specialty occupation.
CW-1 visa: This visa is for temporary nonimmigrant workers who are coming to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to work in certain occupations. The CNMI is a U.S. territory, and the CW-1 visa is unique in that it is specific to this geographic area.
It’s important to note that each employment-based visa category has its own if requirements and eligibility criteria. Additionally, the application process can be complex and may involve demonstrating that you meet certain qualifications or criteria, such as having a certain level of education or work experience.
(The author, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo.—Ed)
