US Work Visas for Irish Citizens

Also referred to as an immigrant work visa, a green card allows you to become a permanent American resident. Irish citizens can access a green card through several ways, such as employment. The job-based green card categorization is further divided into numerous sub-classes organized by preference. The work-based preference categories include:

• EB1: First preference job-based visa for Irish citizens who boast some extraordinary ability, exceptional researchers, professors, or global managers and executives.
• EB2: Second-preference job-based visa for Irish citizens with a high-level degree, have an extraordinary ability, or whose employment in the U.S. would be in the interest of the state.
• EB3: The third preference employment-based for skilled Irish employees and experts with a bachelor’s degree as well as unskilled workers.
• EB4: Fourth preference job-based visa for special Irish citizens, including religious employees, selected broadcasters, and members of the American Armed Forces, among others.
• EB5: Fifth preference work-based visa for Irish investors with the financial ability to invest anywhere between $500,000 and $1 million in American businesses.

Furthermore, there are other types of green cards that allow Irish citizens to lawfully live permanently in the United States. Bearing in mind that all nationals from a foreign country who possess immigrant visas can reside and work in America on a permanent basis. They don’t require an employment-based green card for work.

The application procedure usually varies based on the category you are applying for. In this respect, if you are making an application for an EB1 visa as an Irish immigrant with some unique ability, you are allowed to self-petition for your visa by filing the Petition for Alien Worker (Form I-140).

On the other hand, for the remaining employment-based green categories, you need to have an American sponsor who can fill the petition for you. What’s more, your prospective employer must be able to show that they are in a position to pay you the agreed wages.

After your Petition for Alien Worker form has been approved, you must thereafter file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence). Once this particular form has been approved, you will become a valid green cardholder with the absolute right to permanently reside and work in the United States.

This particular visa allows you to enter the United States for temporary employment. Numerous types of nonimmigrant visas grant the freedom to live and also work in the United States, whose validity period varies from months to years. Below are a few nonimmigrant temporary work visas that are available to Irish citizens:

• H1B Visa for multi-national employees in specialty occupations or for those participating in government to government research
• H2B Visa for temporary workers
• H3 for exchange visitors
• E1 Visa for Treaty traders
• E2 Visa for treaty businessmen
• 01 Visa for persons with unique abilities
• I Visa for journalists and other media workers
• P1 Visa for multinational athletes
• P2 Visa for a performer or group entering the United States to perform under a reciprocal exchange program
• P3 Visa for athletes as well as artists
• R1 Visa for religious employees
• L1 Visa for the transfer of foreign employees who will be working at their company’s US branch. This temporary work visa is available to employees who work in either a managerial or executive capacity or those who work in a position requiring specialized knowledge and have worked for the same employer abroad continuously for at least 1 year.
• B1 Visa business visitor visa for people entering the United States to conduct certain business-related activities

The application method for this type of visa varies depending on the type of visa category you are applying for. And this simply implies that each visa work category has different eligibility criteria that Irish citizens must fulfill.

Generally, Irish citizens will need to have a U.S. employer sponsoring their application process to apply for a US work visa. Your potential employer will begin this process by first filing Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Employee) with the USCIS (U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services). After receiving an approved petition, the foreign national can then apply for a work visa.

On the other hand, if you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa under the specialty occupation category, your potential employer must first submit a Labor Condition Application to the Department of Labor before they can fill the petition. After securing the labor certification, you may then submit the petition. After approval, you can now apply for your visa either at the local U.S. embassy or consulate in your country or residence.

Before you can attend the visa application appointment, you’ll first be required to complete and subsequently submit the DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application). This is an online application form for nonimmigrant visas.

After this, you will bring proof of completion of this particular form with you to the consulate or embassy for your visa interview together with your other required documents a valid passport, and receipt of the paid visa issuance fee. After thorough scrutiny, a consular will decide whether to reject or validate your application.