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How Can I Get an H-1B Visa to Work in the US as a Graphic Designer or Driver? ?
I currently live in Togo and would like to move to the United States to work as a graphic designer or a driver. I have skills in both areas, but I am not sure how to apply for a work visa, specifically the H-1B visa.
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Michelle M.
Actress
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Student from Togo !
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that people get for specialty Occupations and it is temporary. Between the jobs that you mentioned, driving and graphic design, graphic design could possibly be considered "specialty". Fields that the U.S. government put in this category as eligible under the H-1B visa are IT, (Information Technology), Engineering, mathematics, science, architecture, and healthcare. Driving could fit into it only if you are a professional Chauffer and the American employer has a strong reason why you are the only one who can be his or her chauffer. The employer also has to have a specifically justifiable reason why they need to hire you, not just want, but need.
If your expertise might be in AI or a new graphic arts medium or program, this may qualify for H-1B but you'd have to get that information from authorities first. You can apply for the H-1B Visa in the U.S. embassy or consulate in Nigeria (in Abuja) or Senegal (in Dakar). There is none in West Africa. Do a search for the locations in your country that have U.S. diplomatic missions as there are none in West Africa. You can go there to inquire about the current guidelines as they are specific and depend on your individual circumstances.
You will have to obtain an American employer who will apply to have you work at their company and make a strong persuasive reason as to why someone outside of the U.S. must fill the position. This happens in the medical field when, for example, one doctor knows how to do a rare procedure and is needed to do it in the U.S. for a period of time. That would be a strong situation that could qualify for an H-1B visa.
It's worth visiting the embassy, consulate or mission to get the most up to date and accurate information from one of their official representatives. There is a monetary fee involved with the processes so it's best to go straight to the official representatives for this so that no errors are made or money lost in the process.
I hope this is a little helpful and I wish the student all the best !
P.S. I do not want any student to get a discouraged outlook when making plans to come to the U.S. Visas and Legal immigration continues. The U.S. is not the only place where borders were opened and not the only country that couldn't take care of all who came. This was world-wide. If a student plans to come to the U.S., you still can but consult with the consulate and embassy. The guidelines I mentioned here are a blueprint, but there is a correct, normal and legal way to do it. Students should not hesitate to plan for work or student visas. Things are being remedied here after years of supporting those who came the wrong route. Many were lied to in their country, unfortunately, but we finally have things being safe and lawful again.
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that people get for specialty Occupations and it is temporary. Between the jobs that you mentioned, driving and graphic design, graphic design could possibly be considered "specialty". Fields that the U.S. government put in this category as eligible under the H-1B visa are IT, (Information Technology), Engineering, mathematics, science, architecture, and healthcare. Driving could fit into it only if you are a professional Chauffer and the American employer has a strong reason why you are the only one who can be his or her chauffer. The employer also has to have a specifically justifiable reason why they need to hire you, not just want, but need.
If your expertise might be in AI or a new graphic arts medium or program, this may qualify for H-1B but you'd have to get that information from authorities first. You can apply for the H-1B Visa in the U.S. embassy or consulate in Nigeria (in Abuja) or Senegal (in Dakar). There is none in West Africa. Do a search for the locations in your country that have U.S. diplomatic missions as there are none in West Africa. You can go there to inquire about the current guidelines as they are specific and depend on your individual circumstances.
You will have to obtain an American employer who will apply to have you work at their company and make a strong persuasive reason as to why someone outside of the U.S. must fill the position. This happens in the medical field when, for example, one doctor knows how to do a rare procedure and is needed to do it in the U.S. for a period of time. That would be a strong situation that could qualify for an H-1B visa.
It's worth visiting the embassy, consulate or mission to get the most up to date and accurate information from one of their official representatives. There is a monetary fee involved with the processes so it's best to go straight to the official representatives for this so that no errors are made or money lost in the process.
I hope this is a little helpful and I wish the student all the best !
P.S. I do not want any student to get a discouraged outlook when making plans to come to the U.S. Visas and Legal immigration continues. The U.S. is not the only place where borders were opened and not the only country that couldn't take care of all who came. This was world-wide. If a student plans to come to the U.S., you still can but consult with the consulate and embassy. The guidelines I mentioned here are a blueprint, but there is a correct, normal and legal way to do it. Students should not hesitate to plan for work or student visas. Things are being remedied here after years of supporting those who came the wrong route. Many were lied to in their country, unfortunately, but we finally have things being safe and lawful again.
Kim Matthews
Graphic Production Designer and Sculptor
48
Answers
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Hello, Anonymous!
I don't have an answer to your question but wanted to make sure you know what you're facing here. I don't know how much you follow world news, but the political and economic situation in the US is very volatile and changing almost from hour to hour, and it's particularly risky for immigrants and non-immigrant foreign workers of color. There have already been illegal deportations of legal immigrants and foreign-born US citizens.
Last year I started working for a USAID-affiliated client on international disease prevention initiatives, and the president shut down USAID, so I've probably lost a client forever since there are likely to be years of legal struggle to restore USAID. I work for mission-driven organizations in education and nonprofit sectors, and things are really shaky.
Many people are losing their jobs and we are looking at the very real possibility of a recession. Wages in creative fields have decreased significantly since the pandemic, and I don't expect that it will get better anytime soon.
I'm really sorry. It's horrible and I hope and pray that things will improve. I hope you get all the answers you need to pursue your goals, but it looks like you'll need a highly in-demand STEM-related career to qualify for that visa.
I don't have an answer to your question but wanted to make sure you know what you're facing here. I don't know how much you follow world news, but the political and economic situation in the US is very volatile and changing almost from hour to hour, and it's particularly risky for immigrants and non-immigrant foreign workers of color. There have already been illegal deportations of legal immigrants and foreign-born US citizens.
Last year I started working for a USAID-affiliated client on international disease prevention initiatives, and the president shut down USAID, so I've probably lost a client forever since there are likely to be years of legal struggle to restore USAID. I work for mission-driven organizations in education and nonprofit sectors, and things are really shaky.
Many people are losing their jobs and we are looking at the very real possibility of a recession. Wages in creative fields have decreased significantly since the pandemic, and I don't expect that it will get better anytime soon.
I'm really sorry. It's horrible and I hope and pray that things will improve. I hope you get all the answers you need to pursue your goals, but it looks like you'll need a highly in-demand STEM-related career to qualify for that visa.