What are the Benefits of Having a US Visa? - 10 Thrilling Benefits

Wondering what are the benefits of having a US visa? You are not alone. With the scarcity of job opportunities, poor healthcare system, low standard of education, and limited business and investment opportunities in many countries, getting a US visa is a way out for people on the lookout for a better life.

US Visa application usually has many requirements and hurdles you need to cross including interviews, language proficiency assessments, proof of home ties, and cost. However, learning about the benefits of having this powerful stamp on your passport will make it all worth it, and this is what I share with you in this blog, based on my years of experience in the travel industry.

There are many options to consider as there are many types of visa, each with its peculiar requirements, cost, and benefits. Are you ready to learn about your options? Let us get into it.

What are the Benefits of Having a US Visa? – Understanding your Options

There are several US visa types, however, for the sake of this blog, we’ll focus on the following:

Visitor visas (B-1 and B-2 visas)
Student visa (F-1 Visa)
Work visa (H-1B and L visas)

1. B1/B2 Visa

What are the Benefits of Having a US Visa?

The B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to travel to the US for a short time, not more than 180 days. The purpose of your travel can either be for tourism/visit (B-2), business (B-1), or a combination of both (B1/B2). B visas usually have a validity of 10 years however, for some countries, the years of validity may be less. For example, for Pakistani and Nigerian passport holders, the US B1/B2 visa is valid for 5 years.

B1/B2 Visa Requirements Checklist

Proof of funds: You need to prove to the consulate that you have enough funds to cater for yourself during your visit to the U.S. Documents to prove this include bank statements and other proof of fund assets – property ownership documents, employment verification letter, sponsorship letter (if someone else is sponsoring your travel), tax returns, and so on
Proof of intent to return to your home country: You need to prove that you would not overstay your welcome which is usually a limit of 6 months per time. Documents that show intent to return include proof of employment, proof of school enrollment, business ownership documents, documents showing family relationships in your home country, etc
International passport with a validity of 6 months past the date of your return
A printed copy of your DS-160 confirmation page
Your travel itinerary detailing your activities when you visit the U.S., including where you will be accommodated during your visit
A digital photo taken within the last 6 months. You may also need a printed copy of your photos
Visa fee payment receipt
If you have previously visited the U.S., you’re advised to bring documents that show such history
Interview confirmation page you got while making your application

On the day of your interview, bring all these documents along and be prepared to answer the questions from the US Visa officer. In most cases, immediately after the interview, the consular officer will make a decision and will inform you whether your Visa application is approved or denied.

B1/B2 Visa Cost

As of today, the cost for most non-immigrant visa types including the visit, student, and tourist visas is $185. It’s a non-refundable fee that will be paid regardless of if your application is refused or accepted. If you apply online, you’ll be prompted to make the payment before submitting your application. If you’re applying directly at the consulate, you will be required to make your payment there.

What is the Process of B1 B2 Visa?

To apply for the B1 or the B2 visa online, follow this 3-step process:

Complete the online non-immigrant application form (DS-160). You can get started here. It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete your application. Here you will be required to put in your background information, and your intention to visit. When you complete the form, you will arrive at a confirmation page and number, which you will need later in your application. Ensure you save it for printing.
To complete your application, you will be required to pay $185. After payment, ensure you get a receipt as you will also need it later.
Schedule your interview: As long as you’re between 17 and 79 years old, you are to attend a visitor visa interview at the consulate.

Can B1/B2 Visa Holders Come with their Family?

Yes, your family can come to visit with you however, they won’t be coming in as dependants as they will be required to apply for individual B2 visas, regardless of age. This means each individual will complete the DS-160 form, pay for the Visa, and schedule an interview depending on the age (recall that the age limit for interviews is between 17-79 years). Each application is considered independent of the other hence, the fact that the father of a child has his B visa approved does not affect the child’s application.

What are the Benefits of Having a B1/B2 Visa?

Multiple entries: For some countries, the B visa is valid for 10 years however, for other countries, it may be less. For this validity period, a B VIsa holder can visit the U.S. multiple times however, you are not allowed to stay for more than 180 days at a time.
Business opportunities: B1 visa holders have access to business activities, such as attending conferences, business meetings, seminars, negotiations, and exploring other business opportunities.
Tourism and Leisure: A B2 visa holder can come to the U.S. for a vacation, relaxation, sightseeing, and visit some iconic landmarks in the U.S.
Family reunification: This goes without saying however, it is one of the major benefits of this visa. B visa holders can visit their family and friends in the U.S., fostering family bonds among families that have been separated by distance.
You get visa-free access to around 49 countries around the world including UAE, Argentina, Panama, Qatar, and many more.
B visa holders can transit through the UK or Schengen countries without needing to get a transit visa. This saves you a lot of time and money and further shows how beneficial it is to have that B1 visa stamp on your passport.
A US visa makes you easily obtain other travel visas such as Canada or UK. The U.S. visa is one of the hardest to obtain. It indicates that you have undergone a thorough screening process and that you won’t stay beyond your visa’s validity when you visit.

2. The F-1 Visa

The F-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows someone to enter the U.S. as a student for a defined period, usually for the duration of the study program. This can be at a university, college, elementary school, or other academic institution, which the Department of Homeland Security approves through the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).

After gaining admission to a SEVP-approved institution, you will be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, and after paying the SEVIS I-901 fee, your school will give you the Form I-20. This form confirms your acceptance to a study program and provides information on the duration of your stay in the school and the financial implications of your study. At this point, you can apply for a US visa at the embassy or consulate in your country and set up an appointment for your interview.

What are F1 Visa Requirements

To apply for a U.S. F1 visa, it’s mandatory to meet the following criteria:

A receipt of the SEVIS I-901 fee
Complete the online nonimmigrant visa application form (DS-160). Ensure you have a printed copy of your DS-160 confirmation page
Complete the form I-20 that you received from your school with the correct information
As part of the requirements, you’ll need to schedule a visa interview at the U.S. consulate in your country
International passport with a validity of 6 months past the date of your return
Proof of English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Note that English proficiency may not be a strict requirement for a B visa however, it’s important for the f1 visa as you will be taught in English.
Visa fee payment receipt
Proof of intent to return to your home country
Proof that you can finance your tuition, living expenses, as well as other expenses, for the duration of your study
A passport photo taken within the last 6 months.
Academic documents, including transcripts, certificates, and degrees. The point in the visa application process that you’ll need this may vary depending on the U.S. consulate however, in most cases, you will need it during your visa interview.

How Much Does the F1 Visa Cost?

How to Apply for F1 Visa

Once you have received the form I-20 confirming your acceptance to the study program and paid your SEVIS fee as mentioned earlier, follow these steps to put in an application for the F1 visa:

Complete the online non-immigrant application form (DS-160). Ensure that you print out the confirmation page for your interview
You will be required to make the non-refundable payment for your visa application using the instructions on your DS-160 confirmation page
Schedule an interview on the website of a U.S. consulate in your country, or visit the consulate of your choice physically to schedule a visa interview appointment.
Prepare for your interview, attend, and ace it! Ensure you prepare all the documents you’ll need to bring to the interview before your appointment. This includes all documents indicated earlier as a requirement for the f1 visa.

Can I take my family to USA on F1 Visa?

Yes, your family can come with you as dependents when you’re coming to study however, a student dependent visa (F2 visa) is restricted to one spouse and minor children (under 21 y/o) who are not married. Other family members like parents, uncles, inlaws, etc, would be required to get a visit visa (B2) which allows them to stay with you for 6 months at a time.

For dependents to come with you on a F2 visa, your institution will need to issue them an I-20 and for them to be issued this form, you’ll need to prove that you have enough funds to support them. For instance, the University of Wisconsin requires proof of funds of $9,204 per child and $5,000 – $6,000 per child to issue a dependent form I-20.

Benefits of F1 Visa USA

Multiple entry: As long as your visa is valid, you’re allowed to enter the U.S. multiple times. This allows you to travel to your home country to visit your family unlimited times, without applying for a visa each time. You’re also able to travel within the US, or to other countries.
A student on an F1 visa can work part-time on campus. They can also work off campus, however, they’ll need approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
You are allowed to bring your immediate family along with you on a dependent F2 visa
You’re able to study in world-class institutions and get a degree.
As an F1 visa holder, you can extend your stay in the US after your studies by obtaining a work visa (H-1B), however, you’ll be required to get a job offer in the U.S. and your employer will need to submit a petition to USCIS asking to change your status to the H-1B status.

3. The H-1B Visa

The H-1B – also a non-immigrant visa – permits workers from outside the U.S. to work temporarily in what is called “specialty occupations”. A “specialty occupation” is an occupation that requires specialized knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree OR work experience commensurate to a degree. Industries that require the H-1B visa include Technology, engineering, healthcare, finance, law, accounting, architecture, and many more.

In order to be eligible for this visa, your employer has to prove to USCIS that the role requires specialized skills and that they haven’t been able to find a U.S. citizen to fill the role. H-1B visas are valid for up to 3 years, however, a 3-year extension is available. Also, note that there’s a cap on the number of H-1B visas that are issued. As of today, 65,000 H-1B visas as issued each year with an extra 20,000 for individuals with advanced qualifications from U.S. educational institutions. There are usually up to 200,000 applicants for the H-1B visa annually.

H1B Visa Requirements

Conditions to meet before applying for an H1B visa include:

A valid job offer: A job offer from a U.S. employer willing to sponsor you is necessary for the H1B visa. The employer also needs to provide evidence to justify the need for the employee
The job must be a specialty occupation: The occupation must fall into a category called “specialty occupation”, which implies that the role requires the applicant to have a bachelor’s or a higher degree in a specialty, and highly specialized knowledge in a field. Specialty occupations can also be verified here.
A valid employer-employee relationship must exist: This implies that the employer needs to have control over the modalities of the job including where, when, or how the employee carries out the job responsibilities, verifying if the employer can pay, hire and fire the employee, verifying if the employer reviews the employee’s work, confirming if the employer supplies requisite tools and equipment to the employee, verifying if employee benefits are available and if the employee is present on the employer’s tax information.
Labour Condition Application (LCA): This must be filed with the Department of Labor (DOL) and a certification must be obtained before proceeding to file a petition for an H-1B visa with USCIS. The LCA confirms that the employee will be paid the wage for that occupation and that bringing this employee on board will not negatively impact the wages and working conditions of other U.S. workers.
Employee Sponsorship: The employer is responsible for sponsoring the H-1B visa and filing a petition at the USCIS. The employer is required to submit all necessary documents and pay the necessary fees.
Specialty Occupation Documentation: The employer and employee need to provide evidence to verify that the job role passes as a specialty occupation and that the employee meets the requirements for the role.

How to Apply for H1B Visa

Unlike other non-immigrant visa types, application for the H1B visa is done by both the employer and employee, each having their part to play in the process. However, we will focus on your role in the process as an employee. Before jumping to your role as the beneficiary, here’s a summary of how the employer would go about H1B visa petitioning on behalf of the employee:

The employer is required to file for a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). This certifies that the employer is permitted to recruit foreign workers
Once the LCA is certified, a job offer is given to the employee, and the employer is required to file a form I-129 – petition for a nonimmigrant employee – with USCIS. This petition contains documentation such as the job offer letter, educational qualifications, and other necessary certifications depending on the job.
USCIS will review this petition alongside the supporting documents to determine eligibility. If approved, USCIS will issue a Form I-797 which indicates an approval of the petition and is otherwise known as a “receipt notice”, “approval notice” or “notice of action”. This is the point at which the employee takes over the application process.

Now that the employer’s part is done, here’s your responsibility in the H-1B visa application process which is similar to the application for other non-immigrant visas:

Complete the online non-immigrant application form (DS-160) with accurate information. Ensure that you print out the confirmation page for your interview
You will be required to make the non-refundable payment for your H-1B visa application using the instructions on your DS-160 confirmation page
Schedule an interview on the website of a U.S. consulate in your country as early as possible, or visit the consulate of your choice physically to schedule a visa interview appointment.
Prepare for your interview, attend, and ace it! Ensure you prepare all the documents you’ll need to bring to the interview before your appointment. This includes your passport with 6-month validity past your return date, visa interview appointment letter, a copy of form I-797, educational qualifications, a resume, visa fee payment receipt, job offer letter, labor condition application (LCA), and visa interview appointment confirmation. Additional documents to bring are medical examination results, proof of home ties documents, and proof of settlement funds.

Can I Bring my Family with H1B Visa?

Yes, you can bring your family as an H1B visa holder. Your spouse and children under 21 years old are allowed to apply as H-4 dependents. They’ll be required to present the H1B approval notice and prove their relationship with the primary applicant. Other steps to take include:

Family members will be required to complete the DS-160 form and schedule a visa interview at the U.S. consulate
Family members should attend this interview with documentation proving their relationship with the primary H1B visa holder

What are the Benefits of H1B Visa?

Here are some benefits that come along with having an H1B visa:

Up to 6 years work authorization: As an H1B visa holder, your employer determines the duration that you’re authorized to work however, the H1B visa can be valid for up to 6 years. It is initially valid for up to 3 years and can be extended for an additional 3 years making a total of 6 years.
As earlier mentioned, H1B visa holders can bring in family members as dependents on H4 visas. This is limited to one spouse and children under 21 years old.
The H1B visa is a dual intent visa which implies that holders can pursue permanent residency (green card) while on an H1B visa, without any negative implication on their current H1B visa status.
H1B visa holders can travel in and out of the US if they meet certain requirements, as long as their visa is valid
The H1B visa provides a great opportunity for career advancement and access to other job opportunities, networking, and specialized training opportunities.

Which US Visa is Right for Me?

We have successfully delved into details about the most common non-immigrant U.S. visas you may need for your travel. However, sometimes, it may be confusing to choose which one is best merely based on information about each visa type. If you’re in this position, you need to consider the reason you want to visit the U.S. What are your plans and intentions for wanting to go to the U.S.? Are you looking to have some relaxation after a long work year, are you on the lookout for better career opportunities, would you like to study and earn a degree at one of the best institutions in the world which happens to be in the U.S.?

Once you’ve decided on this, you should have an idea of the visa type you need to apply for. The next step is to figure out if you meet the eligibility requirements for the visa type you’re supposed to apply for. There’s a great tool you can use to help understand which visa category is appropriate for your travel to the U.S., called the visa wizard. For specific steps to apply for whichever visa you’re eligible for, refer to any of the above-discussed visa types H-1B, B, and F visa categories.

What if my US Visa is Rejected

What is the main purpose of visa - Why do visas get denied

If your visa gets approved, that’s great! However, if it isn’t, there’s a way around it. No one wants their visa rejected but the truth is that it happens to even the best of us. Sad reality check, not everyone will have their visa approved. As I mentioned earlier, for the H-1B visa, only 95,000 visas are approved out of 200,000 applications annually. Similar is the case for other visa types.

So what happens if your visa gets rejected? You need to pick yourself up and reapply. More important, is the fact that you need to figure out why you were denied in the first place before reapplying. It could be a myriad of reasons including failure to provide supporting documents – USA (INA 221(g)), insufficient proof of funds – USA (INA 214 (b)), among many others. For more information on precisely what to do if your visa gets denied, check out this blog about 4 effective steps to solve a U.S. visa denial.

To sum it all up, obtaining a U.S. visa comes with many benefits including opportunities to travel, getting a world-class education at some of the best institutions in the world, business opportunities, leisure, and many more. We have discussed all you need to know about non-immigrant visa options in this blog. So get clear on your intention to travel to the U.S., confirm that you’re eligible, and begin that application as soon as you can. I am rooting for you! Also, if you have any questions, clarifications, or comments, drop them in the comments and I’ll do well to respond.