February 11, 2025

All over the world, America is recognized as the greatest nation on the planet — a place of refuge, freedom, and prosperity.

 

The image of Lady Liberty beckoning and welcoming people over to live the American Dream is what a lot of foreign nationals long for. The prospect of having opportunities not found in their native countries is what attracts people from all over the world to move stateside.

 

It is true that the U.S. has a lot to offer. A lot of great opportunities for education and career advancement can be found here. Foreign nationals sometimes come in for education and employment for a short season while some of them stay for good.

 

For foreigners looking to get employment in the U.S., know that there are several ways to obtain a job here which include permanent residency, temporary and seasonal worker visa, and exchange worker and student visa.

 

But for you to get employment, here are some things you must know when going job-hunting stateside.

 

7 Things Foreigners Should Know When Looking for a Job in the U.S.


  1. Find out who are the ones authorized to work in the U.S.A.
    One of the first things you need to do to land a job in the U.S. of A is to identify if you’re qualified to work here. Qualified workers should fall under one of the following categories:

 

  • U.S. Green Card holder
    Temporary Work Visas (Skilled Workers and Non-Agricultural)
    Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas
    Exchange Visitor Visa

 

If you hold a visa other than these, you are not eligible for any form of employment in the country.

 

  1. Know the process of acquiring a U.S. work visa.
    There are different types of visas that are granted to foreign nationals such as a tourist visa, an exchange visitor visa, or an H-1B visa, among others. If you’re holding any one of the visas stated in the previous item, you’re eligible for work anywhere in the 50 states. However, if you don’t have a visa yet, you need to know how to get one that will allow you to work and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Before you even book a flight going stateside, you need to get a U.S. visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your native country.

 

  1. Getting a Green Card
    Foreign nationals who wish to permanently work and live in the U.S. should obtain a United States Lawful Permanent Residency, also known as a green card. This green card authorizes a foreigner to seek employment and permanent residency in the country under certain conditions set by the U.S. Department of Labor.

 

  1. Get a U.S. work permit.
    So you already have your work visa. Great! However, having a visa that qualifies you to work in the U.S. is just a part of the picture so don’t start celebrating yet. You still need to obtain a permit to work or EAD. This is required of workers who are neither permanent residents nor U.S. citizens. An EAD is needed in addition to a work visa to allow you entry into the U.S.

 

  1. Apply for a Social Security Card.
    Every non-American citizen looking to get employed in the United States will be asked for a social security number to make them eligible for employment in the country. Do your research and find out if you’re eligible for a social security number and how you can get a social security card.

 

  1. Verify your eligibility to work in the country.
    So let’s say that you already have your passport, work visa, permit to work, and social security card on hand. Does that already make you automatically cleared for stateside employment? Not yet. But it’s a step closer to your goal. One more thing that you will be asked to prove your eligibility to work is an I-9 Form. This document will confirm that you are a hundred percent eligible for U.S. employment.

 

  1. Beware of scammers.
    As you pursue your dream of working in the States, some people will get in the way of you reaching your American Dream. Beware of people that offer to assist you in processing your requirements. These people will scam you of moneyand ask you for payment for certain fees in acquiring your visa. Keep in mind that applying for a U.S. visa and getting application forms do not require fees.

 

Now that you know these things, the next step for you is to act on what you learned from the points above. We hope you find the job that works best for you that will enable you to truly live the American Dream.

 

Meta title: 7 Tips Foreign Nationals Will Find Helpful When Seeking Employment In The U.S.
meta desc: For foreigners looking to get employment in the U.S., know that there are several ways to obtain a job there. Here are some things you must know when going job-hunting stateside.