The current scenario of economic uncertainty and few professional opportunities in Brazil is increasing the number of people interested in knowing how to work in the United States legally.
Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, the market in the US has been heating up and has hit record highs for job openings. From according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the country, the month of June had the highest number of the index, with 10 million opportunities offered.
Making this the most opportune moment for those who seek to issue the visa to work in American soil on a temporary or permanent basis.
In the context of qualified professionals in the areas of IT, Marketing and Healthcare, the United States has been opening doors for those who wish to work in North American territory. Making these professions very desirable abroad and the opportune time for those who want to live and work in the USA.
According to Indeed, the world's largest job site, the demand for professional opportunities in information technology, marketing and healthcare is even higher than the national average for other professions in the United States.
In this article, you will be contextualized about the current panorama and how professionals in the marketing, IT and healthcare fields can legally live in the United States, how to issue their visa, as well as learn about the types of American visas available to foreigners who want to work permanently in the country in these professions.
Who knows, maybe it's time to practice your profession in the US?
Good reading.
Demand for Marketing, IT and Healthcare professionals in the US.
The pandemic and the global health crisis have had a considerable impact on people's lives. Moreover, so many changes in a short space of time leave the most inattentive impressed.
With this, it is normal to have apprehension about the future and anxiety about the professional area in which we work. However, the reality is that with the advance of vaccination, the demands of work in the USA have increased.
Since the beginning of 2021, the United States has broken records for creating millions of new jobs per month, according to the US Department of Labor.
The figures are a reflection of the rapid recovery of the American economy as the pandemic recedes, a picture that tends to advance further in the face of the country's mass vaccination. However, the market sees a lack of qualified professionals or interested parties to exercise the available positions.
To get around this problem, the American government tends to turn to the labour and talent of foreign immigrants.
The US issues an average of 300,000 new work visas a year, however, to address the market problem, the country has increased the annual quota of temporary and permanent US Visas, mainly for individuals with extraordinary skills.
In 2020, 140,000 applications were made available. This year, 260,000 visas have already been issued in this category.
With the shortage of interested professionals, some industries have been badly affected.
In this context, the scenario is positive with regard to the excellent opportunities for foreigners who wish to work in North American soil, especially in the areas of IT, Marketing and Healthcare, which are on the rise in the United States.
What is the USA Green Card and what is it used for?
The US Permanent Resident Card - USA Green Card - is the permanent residence visa in the country, which grants the citizen the right to work and live legally in the North American territory. Besides that, it guarantees access to education, medical assistance and other benefits offered by the government.
The foreigner can legally reside in American territory without it affecting his/her nationality of origin, ideal for those who intend to reside there. And if you have to leave, you cannot stay more than one year outside the USA.
It is worth highlighting that this type of visa is different from others, such as the student or tourist visa, for example, which give the right to stay for a determined period of time.
Despite the term permanent, the card is valid and needs to be renewed every 10 years. Another particularity is that it is not possible to vote or be a candidate in elections for public office.
What is the difference between a green card and American citizenship?
Despite possible confusion, there are differences between the Green Card and American citizenship.
Here's what it takes to be considered a US citizen:
- Born in the United States;
- Be born outside of the country, but be a child of Americans (father or mother);
- Have a naturalisation request granted.
The citizenship process is more complex and long-lasting, and it is necessary to remain in the US until the citizenship is granted. It is also necessary to prove that you have lived legally in the country for at least five years.
The USA Green Card is not a naturalization request. It consists of a permanent residency request. In other words, it is not necessary to have citizenship to legally live in the country.
How can IT, Marketing and Healthcare professionals work in the United States?
To live and work in the United States, it is necessary, as we said before, to have the USA Green Card, but, for those who intend to migrate based on their career, there are visa categories that make this possible.
The permanent work visa of the EB category - Employment Based - allows the foreigner to work and live in the United States. Those authorised with work visas may bring family members (spouses and children under 21 years of age).
They are:
EB-1: Employment First Preference
This visa is granted to people who have proven "extraordinary abilities" in the arts, sciences, business and athletics, recognized nationally and internationally for their professional contributions.
The foreigner does not need to have a specific job offer as long as he is entering the US to continue his work in the area and, for that, he needs to fill out the I-140 form, with the USCIS.
In the case of academic teachers and researchers, a minimum of three years proven experience and international recognition is required.
EB-2: Employment Second Preference
It is awarded to professionals with advanced academic degrees or people with extraordinary abilities.
In this category, the foreign national must have proof of their work approved by the Department of Labor. In addition, a pre-existing offer from an American company is required.
This category is divided into:
- Professionals with advanced degrees, such as masters, doctorates and post-doctorates. Or bachelors with at least 5 years of experience;
- People with extraordinary abilities in the fields of science, arts and business.
EB-2 visa x EB-2NIW visa: What is the difference?
Besides the EB-2 visa, there is also the EB-2NIW, that is, National Interest Waiver, which waives the need for a pre-existing offer of work, thus, the foreigner can make his/her own petition to be granted this visa.
The EB-2NIW Visa recognizes that it is in the national interest of the US to waive a job offer and the Labor Certification process for some foreign nationals. To this end, the applicant may apply for the visa on an automatic basis.
Unlike EB-2, these visas are usually approved more quickly. The reason is that the foreigner does not need to go through the long process of Labor Certification. However, it is worth noting that the USCIS - United States Citizenship and Immigration Department - generally examines these requests even more thoroughly.
How can professionals obtain the EB Visa?
If you intend to live and work in the United States with the EB-2 Visa, you must meet certain requirements, in addition, it is essential that all documentation is done according to the processes to meet the qualifications established by the USCIS.
In general, the visa applicant needs to have a certificate with the Department of Labour, besides that, a pre-existing offer of work is required and the American contractor needs to fill out the Petition for Work Immigration - Form I-140 - in favour of the applicant.
In case the applicant seeks to issue the EB-2NIW Visa, he/she can fill in the form himself/herself, along with all the documentation proving that he/she is a professional of national interest to the United States.
If you are a foreign national holding a postgraduate degree, you must hold a US academic or professional degree or an equivalent foreign degree that is above a bachelor's degree.
It is worth mentioning that, as an alternative, it is also possible to present five years of experience together with the bachelor's degree to replace the post-graduate degree, but it is important to remember that this does not apply to professions that require a doctorate.
How can TS Immigration help you operate in your field in the United States?
With safety and experience, we conduct your immigration and residence visa process. You will have access to important guidance on the criteria required by the US Immigration Service to grant a visa to live and work in the United States.
Your professional capacity and experience in the areas of Marketing, IT and Healthcare may be decisive factors in the process for the USA Green Card. Come and find out how it is possible.
In addition to providing visa and legal services, we have qualified tax lawyers (qualified in the United States).
Our professionals work according to the American legislation, avoiding financial and legal charges for non-conformities.
Conclusion
The demand for qualified professionals in the areas of Marketing, Healthcare and IT may be an opportunity for professionals who wish to immigrate and work in the USA. Imagine that you can guarantee your Green Card even before you get a job offer there.
If you are Brazilian and work in these segments, this could be an excellent opportunity to work and live new experiences in another country.
More than ever, your qualifications and professional experience are welcome in the USA. Consult us and find out how this is possible.
See you next time!
