US Work Visas for Ghanaian Citizens

Each year the US makes 140,000 immigrant visas available for those wanting to move to the US for employment reasons. However, there are five different types of visas called ‘preferences,’ each relating to a different field or type of worker. It is important to take the time to understand the differences to make sure you apply for the most appropriate one.

Page Contents

• The USA Work Visa Types
• How to Apply for a USA Work Visa
• The USA Work Visa Requirements and Application Process
• How can our lawyers at Total Law help you?
• Frequently Asked Questions

1st Preference (E1) Priority Worker and Persons of Extraordinary Ability

The first preference visa is reserved for those who have exceptional abilities or are particularly important in their field and it has three sub-categories, which are as follows:

1. People who have an extraordinary ability in a variety of fields including science, art, education, and athletics. This category requires a lot of specific documentation showing recognition and acclaim in the relevant field. These immigrants file their own I-140 Petition Form with the USCIS.
2. Anybody who is an outstanding researcher or professional with at least three years worth of teaching experience or is recognised on an international basis. These immigrants must be taking up a position at an educational institution, so the employer must provide both a job offer and an I-140 Petition Form with the USCIS.
3. People who are classed as ‘multinational managers or executives’ and who have been employed in at least one of the previous three years by the overseas parent company. The applicant must be of a managerial or executive level and the work they seek to do must be of this nature. The employer will need to file an I-140 Petition Form with the USCIS.

2nd Preference (E2) Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Extraordinary Ability

Second Preference visas are for applicants who fall under the following two criteria:

1. A professional with an advanced degree that is higher than baccalaureate level or, alternatively, at baccalaureate level with at least 5 years of experience in the given field
2. A person of exceptionable ability in business, arts, or the sciences, that is above the level normally encountered in their field.

These applicants will need a labour certification that has been approved by the US Department of Labour and a job offer from a US employer who has filed an I-140 Petition Form with the USCIS.

The only exception is if the job offer is ‘in the national interest’ in which case the applicant will need to file their own I-140 Petition Form as well as evidence of fulfilling that national interest criteria. Another caveat is that any professionals holding advanced degrees or of exceptional ability may receive 28.6% of the visa quota, as well as any unused 1st preference category visas.

3rd Preference (E3) Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers

The 3rd preference Work visa section covers more areas than the first two preference categories but it is still split into three types, which are:

1. Members of the professions who are applying for jobs that require at least a baccalaureate degree from a US university, or its foreign equivalent degree
2. Unskilled workers who are applying to fill a position that requires under two years’ worth of training or experience that is not temporary or seasonal work
3. Skilled workers applying for positions that require at least 2 years of training or work experience that are not temporary or seasonal roles.

Similar to the second preference caveat, applicants under the 3rd preference category will receive 28.6% of the visa quote plus any unused 1st or 2nd preference visas that are still available for that year. As with the first two preference categories, the applicant must have an I-140 Petition Form from a prospective employer.

4th Preference (E4) Certain Special Immigrants

4th preference Work visas cover many areas so it is important to read through the different types to make sure you identify the most appropriate one.

• Broadcasters in the US who are either employed or guaranteed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors
• Ministers of Religion and other religious workers
• People who are beneficiaries of petitions or labour certificate applications made before 2001
• Certain employees of the US Government abroad (this type requires various additional documentation)
• Retired International Organisation Employees and their surviving spouses and unmarried children
• Foreign medical graduates
• Special immigrant juveniles
• People recruited from outside of the US who have served or who previously enlisted to serve in the US Armed Forces
• Retired NATO-6 civilians and their surviving spouses and unmarried children
• Several types relating to specific countries and nationals that do not include Ghana or Ghanaian citizens

In contrast to the first 3 preference types, 4th preference Work visa applicants must be the beneficiary of an approved I-360 Form Petition which is for ‘Special Immigrants, Widowers, and Amerasians.’ A Labour Certificate is not required and this category makes up 7.1% of the visa quota for employment-based visas.

5th Preference (E5) Immigrant Investors

The last category relates to anybody who is making capital investments in the US. The investment must be into new commercial enterprises that provide job creation for at least 10 full-time positions. The minimum investment is either $1,000,000 or $500,000 in a high-unemployment or rural area.

5th preference visas require a lot of documentation and have a particularly long and thorough process. It is best to get in touch with our lawyers and your Embassy or Consulate to help go through the process with you.

If you are applying for a US Work visa from Ghana then you will need to have a full medical examination and you may need to take vaccinations before travelling. After your medical examination, you will be invited to an interview where you should bring any documents that might be necessary, including those listed in the requirements section below.

The embassy or consulate will then make a decision as to whether your application can proceed, in which case you will need to complete security screening procedures.

There are various fees that will need to be made when you apply for a US Work visa, including:

• Filing an I-140 or I-360 Petition Form
• Processing a DS-260 Form (immigrant visa application)
• Medical examinations and necessary vaccinations
• Additional costs that could include translation, photocopying, and fees for obtaining documents like police certificates, birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.

When you apply for a US Work visa they will need various documentation to process your application. This is to ensure you are who you say you are, that you have a valid reason to come to the US, and to ensure that visas go to the right applicants.

You will need:

• A passport that is valid for at least the next six months
• Two 2” x 2” photographs that have been taken within the last six months
• Any civil; documents that might be required
• Financial support documents
• Completed medical examination forms

Each of the five preference visa types listed above will have its own requirements and, in some cases, the subcategories within each will have their own documentary requirements. It is best to speak to one of our expert lawyers or Embassy or Consulate staff to figure out exactly what documents and eligibility criteria you will need to meet to make an application.