Hiring Foreign Nationals in Durham-Raleigh, NC

Hiring Foreign Workers in North Carolina

Employing foreign workers can be an excellent way for companies to expand their talent pool and bring in skilled employees who may not be available in their local area. However, hiring foreign nationals can be a complex process that requires careful planning and compliance with both state and federal laws.

At Brown Immigration Law, we help employers in North Carolina and throughout the United States navigate the process of hiring foreign nationals. Our experienced legal team can help you understand the requirements and obligations you must meet and can help you take the necessary steps to bring in the talented employees you need.

Need to hire foreign nationals? Call our firm today at (919) 626-3965 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help you!

Industries That Depend on Foreign Nationals

Foreign nationals are hired across various industries in the United States, contributing significantly to the country's workforce diversity and economic growth. Some of the key industries that commonly hire foreign nationals include:

• Information Technology (IT): The tech industry in the U.S. is known for employing a large number of foreign nationals, particularly in fields such as software development, data science, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.
• Healthcare: Foreign nationals, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and other healthcare professionals, are in demand to address shortages in the healthcare industry. Many foreign-trained physicians come to the U.S. for residency programs and often stay to work in hospitals and clinics.
• Academia and Research: Universities and research institutions in the U.S. frequently hire foreign nationals, including professors, researchers, and postdoctoral fellows, to contribute to scientific advancements and academic excellence.
• Finance and Banking: The financial sector often recruits foreign nationals, especially for roles requiring specialized skills in areas like investment banking, financial analysis, risk management, and quantitative finance.
• Engineering: Engineering firms across various sectors, such as aerospace, automotive, civil, and electrical engineering, often employ foreign nationals to fill skill gaps and drive innovation.
• Hospitality and Tourism: The hospitality industry, including hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions, hires foreign nationals for roles ranging from hospitality management to culinary arts and customer service.
• Manufacturing: Certain manufacturing industries, such as automotive and technology hardware, may employ foreign nationals with expertise in engineering, supply chain management, and manufacturing processes.
• Entertainment and Media: Hollywood and the broader entertainment industry attract talent from around the world, including actors, directors, producers, and behind-the-scenes professionals.
• Consulting and Professional Services: Consulting firms and professional service providers often recruit foreign nationals with specialized expertise in areas such as management consulting, legal services, and accounting.
• Agriculture: Seasonal agricultural work in the U.S. relies heavily on foreign labor, often through temporary work visas, to plant, cultivate, and harvest crops.
• Construction: The construction industry may hire foreign nationals, especially for skilled trades like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work.

These industries, among others, actively seek foreign talent to meet specific skill requirements, fill labor shortages, foster innovation, and remain competitive in the global marketplace. The hiring of foreign nationals also contributes to cultural diversity and international collaboration within the U.S. workforce.

How to Hire Foreign Workers in North Carolina

The process of hiring foreign workers can be complex and time-consuming. At Brown Immigration Law, we can help you understand the requirements you must meet and can help you take the necessary steps to bring in the talented employees you need.

The process of hiring foreign workers generally involves the following steps:

• Obtain a labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor: In most cases, employers must first obtain a labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. This certification is designed to ensure that there are not sufficient U.S. workers who are able, willing, qualified, and available to perform the work that the foreign national is being hired to perform.
• File a visa petition: Once you have obtained a labor certification, you must file a visa petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The specific type of visa petition you must file will depend on the type of foreign worker you are hiring.
• Wait for your visa petition to be approved: After you have filed your visa petition, you will need to wait for it to be approved. The length of time it takes for a visa petition to be approved will vary depending on the type of visa you have filed for.
• Apply for a visa: After your visa petition has been approved, you can apply for a visa for the foreign worker. The specific type of visa you will need to apply for will depend on the type of worker you are hiring.
• Wait for your visa to be approved: After you have applied for a visa, you will need to wait for it to be approved. The length of time it takes for a visa to be approved will vary depending on the type of visa you have applied for.
• Complete the hiring process: Once your visa has been approved, the foreign worker will be able to travel to the United States and begin working for your company. However, you will also need to complete the hiring process by ensuring the worker has the necessary documentation to be legally employed in the U.S.

Common Types of Work Visas

There are many different types of visas available for foreign workers. The specific type of visa you will need to apply for will depend on the type of worker you are hiring and the specific needs of your company.

Some of the most common types of work visas include:

• H-1B visas: H-1B visas are available for employers who want to hire foreign workers in a specialty occupation. To qualify for this type of visa, the worker must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent and the position must require a bachelor’s degree or higher.
• H-2A visas: H-2A visas are available for employers who want to hire foreign workers in the agricultural industry. However, this type of visa is only available for temporary or seasonal work.
• H-2B visas: H-2B visas are available for employers who want to hire foreign workers in a non-agricultural industry. Like the H-2A visa, this type of visa is only available for temporary or seasonal work.
• L-1 visas: L-1 visas are available for companies that want to transfer employees from a foreign office to a U.S. office. To qualify for this type of visa, the employee must have worked for the company for at least one year and must be coming to the U.S. to work in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.
• EB-1 visas: EB-1 visas are available for employers who want to hire foreign workers who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. This type of visa is also available for foreign nationals who have achieved national or international acclaim in their field.

These are just a few examples of the types of visas that are available for foreign workers. To learn more about the specific types of visas that may be available for your company, contact Brown Immigration Law today.

How to Obtain a North Carolina Work Permit

Foreign nationals who want to work in the United States will generally need to obtain a work permit. A work permit is a document that allows a foreign national to work in the United States legally. However, not all foreign workers will need a work permit to work in the United States.

Some foreign workers who may not need to obtain a work permit include:

• Foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States because of their non-immigrant status: Some foreign workers are authorized to work in the United States because of their non-immigrant status. For example, foreign workers who are in the United States on an H-1B visa or a L-1 visa are generally authorized to work in the United States.
• Foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States because of their immigrant status: Some foreign workers are authorized to work in the United States because of their immigrant status. For example, foreign workers who have obtained a green card are generally authorized to work in the United States.

Foreign workers who are not authorized to work in the United States because of their non-immigrant status or their immigrant status will generally need to obtain a work permit to work in the United States. To obtain a work permit, the foreign worker will need to complete and submit Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The specific requirements the foreign worker will need to meet to obtain a work permit will vary depending on the specific type of work permit they are applying for.

Obtaining a work visa can be a complex and time-consuming process. At Brown Immigration Law, we can help foreign workers understand the requirements they must meet and can help them take the right steps to obtain a work visa.

Our Firm’s Approach to Hiring Foreign Nationals

Hiring foreign nationals can be a complex and time-consuming process. At Brown Immigration Law, we work closely with you to help you understand the requirements and obligations you must meet and to help you take the right steps to bring in talented employees from around the world.

Our firm offers a full range of services to employers who want to bring in foreign workers. We can help you obtain non-immigrant visas for temporary workers and immigrant visas for foreign nationals who want to live and work in the United States permanently.

We also offer immigration compliance services to help employers ensure they are meeting their obligations and are in compliance with state and federal laws.

Call our firm today at (919) 626-3965 or contact us online to learn more about how we can help obtain a work visa.