HOWTOGETU.S.

WORKVISAFORARCHITECTS

Althoughthebasiceconomicsofarchitecturearethesameeverywhere/thebusinesscycleisabout510years
betweenrecessionsnomatterwhereyouwork/,therearesomesignificantdifferencesbetweenarchitecturejob
marketsacrosstheglobe.WhilenewgradsarestrugglingeverywhereintheWesternandEasternworld,itseems
a bit easier for experienced architects seeking to migrate to find better job opportunities. Among the countries
beingrecognizedasthebestdestinationsforarchitectsworldwide,theUSisstillatthetopofthelist.Well,atleast
thetopofthedestinationswishlistasimmigrationbureaucracybarriersandthedifficultiesofgettingUSwork
visa turn off most of the people. Thats right, if youre an architect wishing to take advantage of the US
architecturaljobmarketbutyoudonthavethatprivilegeofbeinganAmerican,youhavetostruggletoobtainone
ofUSworkvisas.

ForthoseofyouwhoconsidermovingtotheUnitedStatesasthenextbigstepforyourcareer,belowweoutline
themostcommontypesofvisaforeignarchitectstypicallyhold.

H1BVisa/forspecialtyoccupationworkers/

Probablythemostcommonfirstchoicevisatypeforarchitects.TheUSH1Bspecialtyoccupationvisaisanon
immigrantvisathatallowsUScompaniestoemploygraduatelevelworkersinspecialtyoccupationsthatrequire
theoretical or technical expertise in specialized fields, including architecture. As any professional level job in
architectureusuallyrequiresyoutohaveabachelorsdegreeorhigher,H1Bmaybethelogicalfirstchoicefor
you. Moreover, if you do not have a bachelors degree or higher you may be able to show degree equivalence
throughworkexperienceand/orotherqualifications.

Soundsgood?Notexactly

Infact,withthenumberrestrictionofthisvisatype(socalledvisacap),itisactuallyunlikelythatyourH1B
visapetitionwillbesuccessful.Currentimmigrationlawallowsforatotalof85,000newH1Bvisastobemade
available each year (to all countries and all disciplines), including 65,000 new H1B visas available for overseas
workersinspecialty(professional)leveloccupationswithatleastabachelorsdegree,andadditional20,000visas
availableforthosespecialtyworkerswithanadvanceddegreefromaUSacademicinstitution.
Duetoabovementionedlimitations,inrecentyearstheH1Bvisacaphasbeenheavilyoversubscribed,withthe
number of more than 100,000 applications being registered the same day submission opened and the cap
reachedwithinfewhours.TheUnitedStatesCitizenshipandImmigrationServices/USCIS/,authorityrelevantfor
visaprocedure,thenholdsalotteryfortheH1Bvisasavailable.Thereare,however,specialexemptionstothe
cap number as well as H1Blike visa options for certain foreign nationals, namely those whose country of
citizenshipisAustralia,Canada,Mexico,Chile,orSingapore(seebelow).

Further disadvantages are that you can only apply for an H1B visa on April 1st (for the 2018 cap on April 2nd,
2017)but,ifapproved,youllbeonlyabletostartworkingonOctober1st.TheH1Bisalsoemployer specific,
meaningthatyoucanonlyworkfortheemployerwhohasfiledyourH1Bapplication.

Anotherproblemisthesixyeartimecap.After your H1B visa application is approved for three years you can
requestextensionsuptothreeadditionalyears,butthiswillexhaustedyoureligibilityunderthatvisastatus.

Additionally, this type of visa involves high commitment for the Company as the employer must sponsor the
internationalcoveringofrelatedexpensesandmustagreeforthe3yearscommitmentwiththeemployee.Allof
thatmakesAmericancompaniesunwillingtosponsorforeignarchitectsthroughH1BVisa.

ThesubclassofH1BVisaistheH1B1VisaforChileanandSingaporeannationals,whichisbasicallyidentical
totheH1B,exceptthatitisexclusivelyforcitizensofChileandSingapore.Althoughitislimitedtoannualcapof
1,400forChileand5,400forSingapore,ithasneverbeenfilled.

ApplyingforanonimmigrantvisaisgenerallyquickerthanapplyingforaUSGreenCard,thereforetheH1Bvisa
ispopularforcompanieswishingtobringinstaffforlongtermassignmentintheUS.However,becauseofthe
lack of available visas, foreign architects frequently have to look at applying for other visa categories such as
the O1 visa for individuals of extraordinary ability, L1B for specialized workers, L1A for managers and
executives,E2TreatyInvestorvisa,E3forAustraliansorJ1visafortraineesorinterns.

O1Visa/forindividualsofextraordinaryability/

AsanalternativetoanH1Bvisa,aforeignarchitectwhowishestoworkforaUSarchitecturestudiomaywantto
submitanO1visaapplication,aslongasheorshedemonstratesextraordinarytalentandaptitudeinthearts.
Thistypeofvisaisthereforededicatedforthosearchitectswhosedesignsaretrulyartisticandexceptionalandfor
those who have become distinguished in their career. If you have established a career abroad before
considering a move to the US or have worked for a number of years in the US on other visa types, your visa
petitionbasedonyourdistinctionintheartscouldbeconsidered.

ThereareseveraladvantagesofanO1visa:

No yearly quota the O1 does not have a yearly quota, which means it remains available to anyone who
satisfiesthecriteria.Ifyouhavethenecessaryqualificationsyoumaychoosetoapplyforthe01visatoavoid
theH1Bnumericallimits.
Lack of time limitations as the H1B visa, the O1 is also initially granted for three years, but it can
beextendedindefinitelyaslongasyoucontinuetopursueyourprimarypurpose.Therefore,thereistechnically
nolimittohowlongyoucanstayandworkundertheO1.
Flexibility in contrast to the H1B which is employer specific, the O1 may allow you to work for many
differentcompaniesthroughoutthedurationofyourvisaifyouwishso.
ResidencyforJ1ExchangeVisitorsifyouareaJ1ExchangeVisitor,insomecasesyoucanapplyforO
1statustobypassthetwoyearforeignresidencyrequirementpriortoapplyingforLorHstatus.

Containingsomanyadvantages,theO1visaisunfortunatelymoredifficulttoobtain.Foryourvisapetitiontobe
consideredyouhavetodemonstrate:

extraordinaryabilitiesbynationalandinternationalacclaim
 significant recognition from renowned members of the field (e.g. you have been nominated or received
architecturalawards)
activityintheacademicandprofessionalpublishing(e.g.articlesinrelevantmediaandprofessionaljournals)
high salary or other substantial remuneration you have received as an architect performing a critical role for
distinguishedarchitecturalorganizations

O2Visa/foressentialsupportpersonnel/

BehindmanyleadingforeignarchitectsholdingO1visaintheUS,thereisoftenanindividualorteamofqualified,
experienced,andessentialsupportpersonnelwhomayobtaintheO2statusifhaveworkedextensivelywiththe
O1beneficiaryovertheyears.IfyouhaveworkedcloselywithanotherarchitectwhoisintheUSasanO1,than
theresachanceyoucancometotheUSasanessentialpartofhisorherteam.

AstheO2statusisforessentialsupportpersonnelofanO1artist,tobeeligibleforthisvisayoumustprovethat
youareanintegralpartofsuchactualperformanceandhavethecriticalskillsandexperiencewiththeO1
thatarenotofgeneralnatureandwhichcannotbeperformedbyotherindividuals.

There is no official list of qualified positions, but generally architects assistant or members of a graphic design
teammayqualifyfortheO2visa.Itsalsopossiblethatmorethanonesupportpersonnelmembercanbecomea
O2beneficiarywiththesameO1artist.

J1visa/fortraineesorinterns/

The J1 visa is a visa status that allows you to engage in an internship or training program in the United
States.Internshipprogramsaredesignedtoallowforeigncollegeanduniversitystudentsorrecentgraduatesto
cometoUStogainexposuretolocalcultureandtoreceivehandsonexperienceinUSarchitecturefirms.

UnliketheH1Bvisa,neitherannualquotafortheJ1Visanorparticularstartdateorfilingdateforapplicationsis
required.

Internsmustbeforeignnationals:

Whoarecurrentlyenrolledinandpursuingstudiesataforeigndegreeorcertificategrantingpostsecondary
academicinstitutionoutsidetheUnitedStatesor
Whohavegraduatedfromsuchaninstitutionnomorethan12monthspriortotheirexchangevisitorprogram
startdate

Due to the thoroughscreening procedure requirement for the trainee and intern programs, sponsors or third
parties acting on their behalf must interview the potential trainee/intern in person, which typically takes place by
videoconference.

AstheJ1visaisdedicatedfortraineesandinterns,itisnotasflexibleasH1BorO1visaintermsofwork.In
fact,J1applicantscannotperformproductiveworkunlessitsincidentaltotraining.

Thistypeofvisaisalsoshorterindurationthanpreviouslymentionedworkvisas.Whiletrainingprogramshavea
maximumdurationof18monthsandinternprogramshaveamaximumdurationof12months,theJ1durationfor
otherprogramsvary.Typically,shorttermscholarsaregiven6monthsandpostdoctoralstudentsaregiventhe
timeittakestocompletetheirdegreeplusupto36months.Insomecases,anextensionmaybepossible.

Generally, after your internship/training under the supervision of the US architecture firm has ended, you would
havetointendtoreturntoyourhomecountry.However,itispossibletochangeyourstatusfromJ1statustothe
H1Bvisastatusaslongasyouarenotsubjecttothe2yearhomeresidencyrequirementwhichcanbedoneif
youaremaintainingJ1statusandthereareH1Bvisanumbersavailable.
AlthoughshorterindurationandlessflexiblethanH1BvisaorO1visa,J1isagoodoptionforrecentgraduates
orcurrentstudentsfromforeignuniversitieswhowanttocomeandtemporarilyinternortrainataUSarchitectural
firm.

E3Visa/forAustralians/

Like the H1B1 for Chilean and Singaporean nationals, the E3 visa for Australians is an example of special
exemptionstothecapnumberofH1Bvisa.

TheE3visaisforspecialtyoccupation roles and its very similar to H1B, except that it is only for citizens of
Australia.LiketheH1BandH1B1,thereisanannualcap,but,similartotheH1B1,ithasneverfilled.

AstheE3VisaprocessisgenerallyfasterandcheaperthantraditionalH1BVisas,forcitizensofAustralia,E3
visasareagreatalternativetoH1Boption.

TNVisa/forCanadiansorMexicans/

UndertheNorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA),CanadianandMexicanarchitectsmayworkinthe
USonaTNVisa.

ToqualifyforaTNasanarchitectyoumustdemonstratebusinessactivityataprofessionallevelinArchitecture
andhaveaBachelorsorLicentiatesDegree.Typically,astateorprovincialarchitecturallicenseisalsorequired,
however,incertaincircumstances,theremaybedutieswithintheoccupationthatdonotrequirelicensing.

WhiletheTNvisamaybeobtainedforamaximumperiodof3yearsuponeachapplication,insomecasesthis
period is limited to less than 3 years. It happens typically if it is clear from the application that the applicants
servicesareneededforlesstime.Inanycase,toqualifyforaTNstatustheremustbeajobofferinplacefroma
UnitedStatesemployer.

E2InvestorVisa

The E2 InvestorVisa is a visa typically used by individuals who want to manage and direct a business in the
United States. If youre an Architect from a country that has a treaty with the US and youre willing to invest a
substantialamountofcapitalintoaUSbusiness,youcouldpossiblycometotheUSunderthisvisaoption.

Generally,theE2visaisthebestwaytocometodevelopanddirecttheoperationsofyourUSbasedarchitecture
firm,toworkinanexecutiveorsupervisoryroleorworkasanessentialemployee.

Major requirement of the E2 visa is that there must be a treaty of trade between the United States and the
countryofyourcitizenship.Ifthereisoneinyourcase,andallotherrequirementsaremet,theE2canbeagreat
visaforyoutousetostartyourownarchitecturerelatedbusinessintheUnitedStates.Additionally,theE2
visamayalsobeusedtoemployemployeesofthesamenationalityasyours.

L1Visa/CompanyTransfereeVisa/

The L1 nonimmigrant visa enables a US employer to transfer managers, executives or specialized

employeesfromoneofitsaffiliatedforeignofficestooneofitsofficesintheUnitedStates.Thisclassification
alsoenablesaforeigncompanywhichdoesnotyethaveanaffiliatedUSofficetosendanexecutiveormanager
totheUnitedStateswiththepurposeofestablishingone.

If the foreign branch of the architectural firm wants to transfer architects to work for the US branch of its
company,anL1visacouldbeafeasiblevisaoption.InordertoqualifyasL1Atransfer,youmusthaveworked
abroadatleast1oftheprevious3yearsasamanager,executiveorspecializedemployeeforaforeigncompany,
and must you be coming to work in the US to work in the same role for the foreign companys parent, affiliate,
subsidiary, or branch. Alternatively, to qualify for an L1B visa type, you must have specialized
knowledgecontributingtothespecialoradvancedknowledgeofacompany.

Although its not a common visa for an architect, L1 can be a great alternative to a H1B visas. Unlike the H1B
visa,therearenoeducationrequirements,quotas,orprevailingwageissues.

Asyoucansee,therearenumerousvisaoptionsavailableforforeignarchitectsintheUS.Whiletherearemany
issuesthatcancomeupinsubmittingthepetitionstoUSCIS,withcarefulstrategizingandpresentationtheycan
besuccessfullyovercome.ItsindeednoteasygettingemployedintheUSasaforeignarchitect,butthatdoesnot
meanitsnotpossible.HopefullyyoullfindthisarticlehelpfulonyourwaytobuildyourAmericandream.

If this article inspired you to seek for job opportunities in the United States, you can explore the latest US
architecturejoboffersatjobs.archi|USAjobs

IhopethispostgivesyouaclearersenseoftheUSworkvisaprocedure,andabetterlookatbestvisaoptionsfor
architects.Ifyouhaveanyexperienceorstoriesaboutapplicationprocess,pleasesharetheminthecomments!

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1THOUGHTONHOWTOGETU.S.WORKVISAFORARCHITECTS
1. Jitsays:
15thDec2016at2:52am
Greatarticle!!Thankyoufortheinformationwasexactlywhatiwaslookingfor!!

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