In 2021, around 1.8 million[cm_simple_footnote id=1] temporary workers and their families moved to the U.S., often to support family back home. They worked in a multitude of fields, from medicine to construction and beyond. Learn more about popular jobs for immigrants, and how to find one.
What are common jobs for immigrants?
Immigrants make up about 17% of the U.S. workforce and are employed across all sectors, in all types of occupations. Although some industries employ a higher share of immigrants, like the administrative services, construction, hospitality, and agricultural sectors.
Common jobs for immigrants include manicurists, sorters for agricultural products, plasterers, sewing machine operators, and housekeepers.
Computer science is another popular occupation among immigrants in the U.S., reflecting the huge demand for talented tech professionals in Bay Area cities like San Francisco and Oakland in California and across the country.
Migrants settle all over the U.S., but some states attract more workers than others.
According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data, California had the biggest temporary worker immigrant populations, followed by New York, Texas, and Florida.
How can an immigrant find a job?
Most U.S. visas are employment-based, which means you will need a job lined up as part of your eligibility to work in the U.S.
Your employer will need permission to hire someone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The first step is to apply for roles with employers who already have this certification or are willing to apply for the right candidate.
If you’re applying from overseas, the U.S. embassy in your home country may have information about upcoming jobs fairs or companies seeking labor.
There are also several U.S. websites that can help you in your search for immigrant jobs.
If you’re looking for seasonal or temporary jobs in the agricultural, construction, and other industries, the Department of Labor has a job search portal you can use to look for work.
If you have a higher education qualification like a bachelor’s degree, check out Upwardly Global, a non-profit national organization that helps recent immigrants restart their careers in the U.S.
Another non-profit organization offering resources to immigrants is the Immigration Welcome Center in Indianapolis. Their website offers an interactive map of English classes, legal services, and job listings.
USA Hello is also a great resource for immigrants looking for jobs in the United States. This organization has tips on where to look for jobs, how to build your resume, and where you can study for your U.S. high school diploma.
Finally, you can use U.S. job search websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, and ZipRecruiter to find work. Try using the search term “visa sponsorship” to find employers willing to sponsor applicants for a visa.
What are the visa requirements for working in the U.S.?
Visa requirements vary depending on whether you’re applying for a temporary visa, called a non-immigrant visa, or a permanent visa, also known as a green card.
If you are applying for a temporary H-2 visa, the first step is to receive an offer of employment from a U.S. company. Next, fill out the online form DS-160. There is no fee for filing this form.
Once you have a confirmation number from this form, you can set up an account on USTravelDocs. At this point, you will need to pay a Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee to make your application.
After making your profile and paying the fee, you will be directed to either schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or send in your documents by mail.
Documents you need to send will include:
- Copy of Form I-797B (this is the form your employer should have to allow you to work in the U.S.)
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- Passport with a minimum of six months validity as well as previously used passports or visas
- A 2 inch by 2 inch ( 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters) color photograph on a white background
Visas for temporary and seasonal jobs
There are 80 different classes of temporary (non-immigrant) visas for entry to the U.S. The most common type is for tourists and business travelers, which allow people to visit the country but not work.
The most common visas for immigrants moving to the U.S. for a job are the H-2A, H-2B, and H-1B visas.
H-2A is the visa offered to seasonal agricultural workers, and the H-2B visa is for temporary workers in non-agricultural roles.
H-2 visas allow workers to stay in the U.S. for up to a year, although they can be renewed two more times if your employer can prove they need you for longer, for a maximum stay of three years.
If you are applying for a temporary H-2 visa, the first step is to receive an offer of employment from a U.S. company. Next, fill out the online form DS-160. There is no fee for filing this form.
Once you have a confirmation number from this form, you can set up an account on USTravelDocs. After making your profile and paying the fee, you will be directed to either schedule an appointment at a U.S. embassy or send in your documents by mail.
Documents you need to send will include:
- Copy of Form I-797B (this is the form your employer should have to allow you to work in the U.S.)
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- Passport with a minimum of six months validity as well as previously used passports or visas
- A 2 inch by 2 inch ( 5 centimeters by 5 centimeters) color photograph on a white background
H-1B visas are another type of temporary work visa, reserved for specialty occupations. They are usually issued to professionals working in fields requiring advanced education or specific work experience.
Like the other H visas, this is a temporary visa that must be renewed and ultimately has a time limit.
U.S. visas for permanent jobs
Every year, around 140,000 employment-based permanent resident immigrant visas are made available to foreign workers hoping to move to the U.S. These employment-based (EB) visas are permanent resident visas, also known as green cards.
To start the application, a U.S. employer must offer the applicant a full-time job that cannot be done by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
There are five EB visa streams. The visas are awarded in terms of preference streams, with EB-1 being the highest. The standards for this visa are high—think CEOs, athletes, and movie stars.
Other EB visa classes require less education and work experience, so there are opportunities for people looking for entry-level jobs as well as those at the top of their fields.
These visas are permanent resident visas, so visa holders can stay indefinitely provided they stick to the conditions of their visa.
The downside to this type of visa is the cap of 140,000 per year and the processing time. While temporary visas are typically granted within a few months, permanent visas can take years to process.
Another way of gaining permanent residency in the U.S. is to apply to the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, also known as the “green card lottery.” Around 50,000 of these visas are issued annually to citizens of countries with low immigration levels to the U.S.
Where can I find help as a new immigrant?
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has a guide to settling in the U.S., so that’s a good place to start. It covers everything from how to get a job, to which days are Federal holidays and how the healthcare system works.
If you’re looking for legal services, the National Immigrant Justice Center offers advice on immigrants’ rights and legal consultations for low-income immigrants.
For financial tips, Remitly has some great information on everything from how to file your taxes to how to send money from the U.S. back home.
Once you’re settled, you may be able to find help and advice from within the immigrant community in your city or through social media.
Taking the next steps after finding a job
After settling into life in the U.S., many immigrants choose to send money overseas to support loved ones at home. If you’re sending money abroad, you need to find a convenient and affordable way to make regular transfers.
Send money quickly and safely with Remitly. Our money transfer app offers bank-level security with consistently great rates and no hidden fees, so more of your money makes it home.
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