How to get a job in USA from Nigeria: useful tips for everyone
Getting a career abroad, especially in the United States, can benefit one's professional development. Have a look at the various ways on how to get a job in USA from Nigeria. Richard Herman, the Founder of Herman Legal Group, shares invaluable insights and strategies for navigating the job market in the USA.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- How to get a job in USA from Nigeria
- Requirements
- What are the first steps a Nigerian citizen should take to secure a job in the USA?
- What job search platforms and websites are most effective for finding job opportunities in the USA?
- How can one verify the legitimacy of a job offer from a US-based company?
- Are specific industries or sectors in the USA with a higher demand for international workers, particularly from Nigeria?
- Useful tips to remember
- How can I get a job in America from Nigeria?
- Professional jobs in USA for foreigners
Nigerians today are looking for employment positions in foreign countries like India, United States, China, Middle East, and Eastern Europe..
How to get a job in USA from Nigeria
Learning new things, developing new skills, and recording employment are attainable when one has a career in his life.
Someone that works or has a career can contribute positively to an environment that will bring forth development and the growth of a country's economy because a productive citizen makes a stronger community through his contribution.
Requirements
To be able to get a career in the United States from Nigeria, the following are some of the basic requirements you need to consider.
- The level of your experience in your line of the field or area
- A valid visa document and a passport
- A well-constructed resume
- The level of your educational attainment
- Language proficiency
What are the first steps a Nigerian citizen should take to secure a job in the USA?
Richard Herman, the Founder of Herman Legal Group, who has vast legal experience in immigration law, explained in an interview that the first step in securing a job in the USA begins with understanding visa options. He said:
Once you know the type of visa that fits, you can explore the strategy of locating potential employers.
Richard provided various visa types to consider. He said the work visas are divided into two categories: the non-immigrant (temporary) and immigrant (permanent), in which most require a U.S.-based employer to sponsor you. The expert mentioned:
Non-immigrant (temporary) work visa
- H1B visa, which is for professionals. He said:
Minimum requirements include a job in a professional occupation (industry standard requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree) and an employer willing and able to pay the prevailing market wage. Most employers have to win the lottery for this visa, which is conducted in March.
There are only 85,000 new H1B visas available each fiscal year. Some employers, which are non-profit and affiliated with universities (like many hospitals), are exempt from the H1B lottery and can file as many applications as they want, whenever they want.
H1B status is generally good for up to 6 years and, for many, is the stepping stone to an employment-based green card (EB-3 Category).
- L-1 Visa for intra-company transfer;
- O-1 Visa for outstanding individuals (for individuals with extraordinary abilities);
- R-1 Visa for religious workers;
- P-1 Visa for professional athletes/artists.
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Immigration (permanent) visa
Herman said some options can be self-sponsored, such as:
- EB-1A Visa; and
- EB-2 NIW Visa
Richard also said that securing an employer in the USA can be challenging if you do not have a prior relationship. He explained:
The employer will often be reluctant to spend money on visa and attorney fees (which can run in the thousands) unless they feel confident that you will be a solid addition to their team, that you will stay with the employer for a sufficient time, and that the reward vs. risk is worth it.
In my experience, employers will generally not file immigration papers for an individual they do not know unless the skill set is unique and the employer is confident they will make money through the hire.
Many international students obtain visa sponsorship in the U.S. after working for an employer for some time in Optional Practical Training (after graduation). Similarly, working remotely from abroad might allow a worker to develop a relationship with a U.S. employer who may be interested in transferring them to the U.S.
What job search platforms and websites are most effective for finding job opportunities in the USA?
Richard advises focusing on "visa-friendly" employers when searching for jobs. He notes:
Some employers refuse to sponsor H1Bs or file H1Bs but refuse to sponsor green cards. The "gold" in this equation is to find employers with a track record of sponsoring both H1Bs and Employment-Based Green Cards (EB-3).
Richard recommends the following resources to find employers that can sponsor HIB and EB-3. These platforms provide valuable information such as job titles, locations, and whether employers are H1B cap-exempt:
- https://www.myvisajobs.com/
- https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ultimate-h1b-sponsor-chec/gaafhpdcjnlehapjdngfoonljgeodffm?pli=1
- https://www.aitou.io/
- https://www.f1hire.com/
How can one verify the legitimacy of a job offer from a US-based company?
Richard said there is no perfect method to determine this; however, he suggests:
- Research the company extensively whether they have sponsored immigrants before.
- Research job boards to see whether past employees report their experiences with the company.
- Contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed.
Are specific industries or sectors in the USA with a higher demand for international workers, particularly from Nigeria?
Richard said there is not one specific industry with higher demand but states that individuals with advanced degrees have a better chance. He explained:
One thing is sure: African immigrants to the U.S. are the most educated group coming to America, and Nigerians are leading the way. I have represented many Nigerians with PhDs and have self-sponsored their green cards through EB1A (Extraordinary Ability) and EB-2 National Interest Waiver.
I suggest all those with advanced degrees look to see whether they can pursue self-sponsored green cards. I would also look to develop networks/relationships in the U.S. for visa sponsorship.
Useful tips to remember
Source: UGC
When applying for a job, these useful tips are always essential to note.
- Getting a job in a foreign country is always not an easy task hence it is always important to pay attention to small town that have less competition.
- As a tourist you need to find a compatriot who will help you get comfortable and advice you on the necessary things to do.
- Another essential tip to note is the need to understand the American employers correctly. Always try to analyze all the questions you are asked and how to respond to them.
- Urban US sites allow you to post your resume, which is recommended to do. Indicate all your skills and abilities, and also leave contact information. It will be much easier to find a job after retraining. It can be done in almost every specialized educational center in the country.
- Regularly it is required to look through new posts about the search for employees, do not be lazy to send CVs to different companies.
How can I get a job in America from Nigeria?
If you want to get a job in the US from Nigeria, you need to compose a competent CV. It is required to describe your own life, the place of education, the availability of certain skills briefly.
It is recommended to write in details of the former place you worked. A prerequisite is an attached photo.
Search for companies and organizations can be carried out on websites or forums. If a company needs an employee and it liked your resume, then:
- The company will invite a candidate for an interview if he or she is already in America.
- If he or she is not in America, a company will contact a foreigner via the Internet, ask some questions, and then send out an invitation to obtain a work visa.
- The main documents will be signed during a personal meeting, and all the details of the work will be specified.
If you cannot find the workplace yourself, you can contact the specialized employment agency for help.
After a survey and a small conversation with a representative of the company, the tourist will be given a list of enterprises and companies to which a resume can be sent.
By the way, all issues related to the execution of documents are taken on by the intermediary.
Source: UGC
If an individual falls into one of the following categories, they are granted the right to work in the United States.
- Temporary employees: These are employees who are not employed on a permanent background. They are foreign citizens who apply to the US consulate to enter the country to work and obtain a work visa. Temporary employees are allowed to stay in the United States for a set period of time. They can only engage in activities for which a permit has been given.
- Permanent employees: Individuals who have the right to permanent residency in the United States fall into this group of residents. They'd be able to get any job they wanted without needing any special permits.
- Students with a visa are allowed to work in the United States. They will, however, need to obtain a work permit from an approved individual at their university, school, or college. It will be released if the analysis is not moved to the side due to work obligations. Many students in America combine these activities.
- The bride or fiancé of an American with a K1 visa has the freedom to work in the United States. It is sufficient to obtain a social card, which will be valid for 90 days. The pair must marry legally at the end of this time span, and a foreign citizen must apply for a green card.
People who arrived in the country illegally or on a guest visa are not allowed to work.
Source: UGC
Professional jobs in USA for foreigners
Of course, most vacancies require the highest level of English proficiency. In some cases, the employer requires a certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS, indicating a general language proficiency level.
There are also exams for certain professions for lawyers, ILEC, and those working in accounting and finance - ICFE.
They check the knowledge of specialized professional terminology.
Participation in all these exams is a rule, and a certificate for passage has a limited period of validity.
Have a look at some professional jobs for anyone thinking of moving from Nigeria to USA.
Work as a programmer in the USA
The US is very popular with IT professionals due to the profession's demand and many leading companies whose businesses are dependent on information technology: Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, etc.
Of course, getting into such a corporation is very difficult, and this is due to the huge competition and high demands put forward for applicants. The level of salaries are:
- Developers at Apple receive an average of $120 thousand a year.
- Intel employees receive about $100 thousand.
- Google programmers receive a maximum of $126 thousand.
The programmers working in smaller and well-known companies have slightly lower salary:
- An experienced Java/J2EE developer in California earns $40-70 per hour.
- Senior IOS Developer's rate in a major city like San Francisco reaches $90 per hour.
- PHP-developer with experience of 7 years and knowledge of common frameworks and technologies can count on $100 thousand a year.
Of course, to work as a programmer, it is necessary to have good English, to have the required level of essential skills and experience.
It is better to search for an IT specialist through the Internet and come at the employer's invitation, having previously agreed to a work visa.
Work as a doctor in the US
Doctors in America earn huge money. The most famous doctors in the US are anesthetists, surgeons, therapists, dentists, gynecologists, and psychiatrists.
The level of salaries of these specialists averages 170-200 thousand dollars a year. However, graduates of Nigerian medical universities will not be able to get a job in the USA.
For employment, it is necessary to have a license, and to obtain it; you need to confirm the level of knowledge by passing several tests and a practical examination.
The first step is to ensure that the completed medical university is on the list of educational institutions whose diplomas can be confirmed in the United States.
Source: UGC
Work as a babysitter in the USA
In America, a month of work as a babysitter can get from 1500 dollars. Payment is made on an hourly basis. Additional pocket money is given for the expenses for the child.
As a rule, Nigerian nannies are in demand in every family. The advantage of this work is that the family often provides a nanny with accommodation and meals - this is very important for a labor immigrant visiting the country for the first time.
The duties of a nanny include:
- Classes, walks, games with children
- Nutrition and caring for children
- Cooking and cleaning the house
As you can see, nannies in America can perform some domestic workers' duties, but it is always negotiated with the employer.
You need to love children, manage the economy, work experience, and good knowledge of the language.
A great advantage will be the availability of special education, for example, pedagogical. You can get this job in the US through a recruiting agency or websites where vacancies are placed for foreign citizens.
Source: UGC
Jobs for Native speakers
Nigerians who speak only their native language can be placed in positions such as:
- Cleaner: In the United States, there are a lot of cleaning agencies, which continuously recruit employees. It is not the easiest work because you will have to work physically while using household chemicals. Payment per hour is from 10 to 20 dollars. Also, it is possible to receive tips. It is the easiest way to get a job on the Internet. Adjacent specialty is the maid at the hotel.
Source: UGC
- Dishwasher: The work can be found in a restaurant or café. The fee is in the range of 7-12 dollars per hour. This is one of the most popular works of labor immigrants.
Source: UGC
- Courier: You can get a job at this position without even having a car. You should know only a few English phrases such as greetings, answers to simple questions, etc. A demanded and uncomplicated one can be called the work of a food delivery man.
Source: UGC
- An agricultural worker: This job, as a rule, is seasonal: basically, harvesters of berries and fruit. The rate is not high - about 7-15 dollars per hour. English will be needed only to apply for employment.
Source: UGC
Even at such seemingly unskilled jobs in the US, you can earn from $ 1500-2000 per month, which is quite enough for a modest but quite comfortable living in, for example, Arizona or Minnesota.
For this amount, you can rent an apartment for two people, eat, dress and allow yourself entertainment.
The United States of America is a prosperous and economically stable country. Therefore it is not surprising that many Nigerians would like to go there for permanent residence or earn money.
However, this is far from being easy. There are disadvantages such as the language barrier, need for a visa and diploma confirmation, and, of course, the search for a suitable employer.
Nevertheless, you can work in USA from Nigeria if you have an employer in the US who is ready to help you with your visa application paperwork.
Now you know how to get a job in USA from Nigeria. Getting a job in the USA may be one of the best decisions for anyone willing to work in foreign countries. You may also consider some of the international jobs in Abuja.
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Mercy Mbuthia (Lifestyle writer) Mercy Mbuthia is a content writer with five years of experience writing on various topics, including biographies, entertainment, and lifestyle. She joined the Legit team in 2019. Mercy earned a Master of Science (Food, Nutrition & Dietetics) from Dedan Kimathi University in 2022. Her articles have appeared on several media sites such as The Health Channel, The Nation, Tekrati, ValiantCEO and Celebrity Leader. In 2023, Mercy finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. Email: mercymmbuthia18@gmail.com
Mary Ugbodaga (Lifestyle Journalist) Mary Ugbodaga is a Legit.ng journalist with 7 years of experience in journalism and media communications. She graduated from Covenant University in 2018 with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies. Mary previously worked as a journalist at TheCable, CNBC AFRICA, Voice of Nigeria, KPMG Nigeria. Email: mary.ugbodaga@corp.legit.ng.
