How Work Visas, Sponsorships & Green Cards Work

Temporary work visas, sponsorships, and green cards are all immigration pathways for working in a foreign country. Here’s a breakdown of how each works:

1. Temporary Work Visas

A temporary work visa allows foreign nationals to work in a country for a specified period. The process generally involves:

• Employer Petition: An employer offers a job and files a petition with the immigration authority (e.g., USCIS in the U.S.).

• Visa Approval: Once approved, the worker applies for the visa at their local embassy/consulate.

• Duration: Temporary work visas typically have fixed durations, ranging from months to years. They may sometimes be renewed or extended, depending on the country and visa type.

Examples:

• U.S. H-1B Visa: Allows foreign workers in specialized fields (e.g., tech, engineering) to work for up to six years.

• UK Tier 2 Visa: For skilled workers sponsored by a licensed employer.

• Canada Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): For hiring foreign workers to fill short-term labor needs.

2. Visa Sponsorship

Visa sponsorship refers to when an employer supports an individual’s work visa application. The employer essentially guarantees that they are hiring the individual for a legitimate job and will comply with all regulations. Sponsorship involves:

• Job Offer: The employer must offer a position to a foreign worker that cannot be filled by local candidates.

• Petition Process: The employer files a formal petition with the relevant immigration authority, and once it's approved, the worker can apply for the visa.

• Employer Responsibilities: The employer may need to prove that the job is real, pay government fees, and sometimes show they tried to hire a local candidate first (labor market test).

Sponsorship is typically required for both temporary work visas and permanent residency.

3. Green Card (Permanent Residency)

A green card allows foreign nationals to live and work permanently in a country. In the U.S., for example, it’s called a ""permanent resident card."" The process involves:

• Eligibility: Workers may become eligible for a green card through employment, family sponsorship, refugee status, or other programs.

• Employer-Sponsored Green Card: Some employers may sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency if they want to keep them long-term. The process includes proving there are no suitable local candidates.

• Application Process: For employment-based green cards, the process typically starts with the employer filing a petition, followed by the worker applying for permanent residency.

• Rights: Green card holders can live and work in the country indefinitely and are on a path to full citizenship (if desired).

Examples of employment-based green cards in the U.S.:

• EB-1 Visa: For workers with extraordinary abilities.

• EB-2/EB-3 Visas: For professionals with advanced degrees or workers with special skills.

Key Differences:

• Temporary Work Visas are short-term and tied to specific employers.

• Sponsorship is when an employer helps secure a visa or green card by sponsoring the worker.

• Green Cards offer permanent residency and the right to live and work in the country indefinitely.

Each country has its own specific visa categories, regulations, and procedures, but the general principles are similar globally.