Employment-based immigration in Minneapolis offers opportunities for foreign nationals seeking to work and live in the United States.
It is a multi-step process that involves several key aspects, making it important to understand the different elements involved.
Visa categories
There are various visa categories under which individuals can seek employment-based immigration in Minneapolis. These categories are typically divided into preference groups, with each group prioritizing different types of workers. These may include visas for individuals working in education, people with advanced degrees and investors ready to invest capital into an enterprise that creates jobs for U.S. workers.
Labor certification and employer sponsorship
In many cases, the employer must get labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This certification ensures that there are no qualified U.S. workers available to fill the position offered to the foreign national. Employment-based immigration typically requires an employer to sponsor the foreign national. The employer must prove their ability to hire and pay the foreign worker at or above the prevailing wage for the occupation.
Priority dates
Priority dates are like a waiting line ticket for immigrant workers. These dates show when the U.S. government received their job-related visa application. They decide when immigrant workers can start the process to become permanent residents. However, there are annual allotment limits, so some people might have to wait longer, especially if they are from countries with many applicants. In 2022, the employment-based annual visa limit was 281,507.
Minneapolis offers many opportunities for skilled professionals to live and thrive in the U.S. Understanding how immigration laws work is important to helping that happen.