Employment-based visas for US entry

As a rule, you will need a passport that is valid for six months beyond your intended entry date, a form DS-260 Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application, two 2×2 photographs that meet specific format criteria, civil documents including birth and marriage certificates, evidence of financial support, and completed medical examination forms.

The current fees for applying for a work visa are:

• I-140 / I-360 filing fee: $700 / $435
• Processing DS-260: $345
• Affidavit of Support fee: $120
• Medical examination and vaccinations: cost varies
• Other costs may be incurred in translation, photocopying, obtaining certified copies of civil documents, and travel expenses – these will vary
• You will also have to pay a USCIS immigrant fee of $220 before travelling to the US
• Immigration attorney fee. Contact us for a fixed fee, no obligation quote.

Because there are limited numbers of employment-based immigrant visas in each category, the length of time taken for each case to be processed varies. The best strategy is to make sure all forms are filled in accurately and processes followed – the advice and support of a US immigration specialist attorney is invaluable here.

Once your petition is approved, your spouse and any unmarried children under 21 may apply for immigrant visas. These are visas for the dependents of the primary applicant of an employment-based visa. If you’d like to find out more about our family services, for family-based visa applications, visit our ‘US immigration for families’ page.

Yes, you will have an interview scheduled once your file has been determined complete; that file will be sent to the US Embassy or Consulate where your interview will be held, and you will receive full instructions on what you must bring and do, as well as the date, time and location – as will your attorney and any third party agent.

You will need to take a valid passport with you, and you must have already undertaken your medical examination and any required vaccinations. You will have ink-free digital fingerprint scans taken on the day of your interview, and you will generally receive your original civil documents (and any original translations) back that day too.

It’s important that you complete a medical examination, and have any required vaccinations, before your visa interview. You must have this medical undertaken by an authorized physician. It might be possible to get a medical or vaccination waiver, depending on your circumstances.