Does Amazon Offer Work Visas in 2023? Yes, Here‘s What You Need to Know
The short answer is – Yes, Amazon offers a variety of work visas in 2023 to eligible international candidates.
As one of the top employers hiring foreign talent, Amazon actively sponsors work visas each year across multiple occupation categories.
In this detailed guide, I‘ll provide you with insider knowledge on the work visa process at Amazon.
I have over 10 years of experience selling on Amazon and managing foreign team members. So I understand the challenges faced by international sellers and employees.
My goal is to equip you with the right information and tips to navigate Amazon‘s visa program successfully.
Here‘s an overview of what I‘ll cover:
Section | Description |
---|---|
Types of Visas | The main work visa categories sponsored by Amazon |
Eligibility Factors | Key requirements for each visa type |
Step-by-Step Process | How to actually obtain a visa through Amazon |
Application Tips | Expert tips to avoid mistakes |
Costs & Fees | Visa expenses to account for |
Quotas & Limits | Annual visa caps & restrictions |
Timeline | Processing times for visa stages |
Alternatives | Other options if visa is denied |
Let‘s get started!
What Work Visa Types Does Amazon Offer?
Based on the job and applicant‘s credentials, Amazon may sponsor the following main work visa categories:
H-1B Visa
The most common visa for foreign professionals in specialty occupations like IT, engineering, accounting, architecture etc.
Over 50% of Amazon‘s work visa holders are on the H-1B based on USCIS data.
In fiscal year 2022, Amazon filed 4711 H-1B petitions ranking #2 among sponsoring employers.
L-1 Visa
For eligible executives, managers and specialized knowledge staff transferring from Amazon offices abroad.
No annual cap applies so it offers more flexibility than H-1B.
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa
For employees from countries with a trade treaty with the US in qualifying trade-related roles.
Useful for Amazon traders and logistics staff from treaty countries.
O-1 Visa
For individuals of extraordinary ability in business, sciences, arts, athletics etc.
Highly selective but ideal for outstanding researchers, inventors, authors.
Other Less Common Types
TN, H-1B1, E-3 visas may also be sponsored in certain cases depending on specific criteria.
So in summary, H-1B and L-1 are most commonly used by Amazon for tech professionals and transferring staff. But other visa avenues also exist.
Now let‘s look at the eligibility factors for each type.
Eligibility Criteria for Amazon Visa Types
Here are the key requirements to qualify for the major visa categories:
Visa | Eligibility Summary |
---|---|
H-1B | – Bachelor‘s degree or higher – Specialty occupation job offer – Relevant skills & experience |
L-1 | – 1+ years at Amazon abroad – Executive, managerial or specialized knowledge role |
E-1 | – Citizen of treaty country – Substantial trade-related role |
O-1 | – Extraordinary expertise – National/international acclaim |
Let‘s expand on the specifics:
H-1B Eligibility
Education: Bachelor‘s degree or higher in field related to specialty occupation. Foreign education credentials must be evaluated.
Job Offer: Specialty occupation is defined as a role needing theoretical and specialized knowledge with minimum bachelor‘s degree as entry requirement.
Skills & Experience: Possess skills, training and work experience for the offered occupation. Licenses or certifications may be required.
Wages: Prevailing wages must be paid. The DOL monitors for compliance.
L-1 Eligibility
Employment at Amazon Abroad: Must have worked at an Amazon entity overseas for 1 continuous year in past 3 years.
Job Duties: For L-1A executive/manager role, the new US role should involve directing operations, strategizing and overseeing other employees. For L-1B specialized knowledge, role must involve proprietary knowledge and advanced expertise.
Transferee Relationship: The foreign and US entities must have a clear corporate relationship as per visa regulations.
E-1 Eligibility
Nationality: You must be a citizen of a country that has a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the US.
Trade Activity: The role must involve substantive trade activities between the US and your treaty country. For Amazon, this could include categories like export sales, purchasing, logistics, legal etc.
Ownership: The employer company must have the nationality of the treaty country. Amazon subsidiaries can qualify based on certain ownership and control requirements.
O-1 Eligibility
Extraordinary Ability: You must demonstrate extraordinary ability in your field through a level of expertise indicating that you are one of the very top in the field.
National Acclaim: Your achievements must be recognized nationally or internationally evidenced by extensive documentation like awards, published material, high salary, judging others‘ work etc.
As you can see, each visa has its own nuanced requirements. Determine which category aligns closest to your qualifications and the Amazon role to assess your chances.
Now I‘ll explain the step-by-step process to actually obtain an Amazon sponsored visa.
How To Get an Amazon Work Visa in 6 Steps
If you meet the criteria for one of the work visas above, here is an overview of the process:
Step 1 – Apply for Relevant Openings
Search current job openings at Amazon Jobs for your field.
Look out for listings clearly indicating visa sponsorships like:
- "Amazon will consider sponsorship…"
- "Authorization to work in the US required"
Submit your application for suitable openings outlining how you meet the qualifications.
Step 2 – Clear Interviews and Get Job Offer
If your background matches Amazon‘s requirements, you may get an interview call.
Successfully pass the required interview rounds to make it to the offer stage.
Discuss your need for visa sponsorship with the recruiter when receiving the offer letter.
Accept the offer letter if Amazon confirms they can sponsor a visa in your case.
Step 3 – File Paperwork Internally
After you accept the offer, Amazon‘s legal team will prepare and file the necessary petitions and forms.
For H-1B, this includes Labor Condition Application (LCA) followed by Form I-129 and supporting documents.
Timeline: Can take 1-3 months for Amazon to complete internal processing.
Step 4 – USCIS Approval
After Amazon files the petitions, USCIS will evaluate your case against the visa requirements.
An USCIS officer may request additional evidence before making a decision.
If approved, USCIS issues the I-797 approval notice confirming the petition validity period.
Timeline: USCIS processing time is 2-6 months currently.
Step 5 – Visa Interview & Stamp
With I-797 approval, you can schedule a visa interview at the US embassy/consulate in your country.
Provide required documents – passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo, I-797 notice etc.
If approved, you will be granted a visa stamp in your passport tied to the I-797 validity.
Timeline: Interview wait times vary by location, but 1-3 months is typical.
Step 6 – Enter US & Start Working
Once you have the visa stamp, you can enter the US within the approved validity period.
On entry, the CBP officer will issue an I-94 documenting your authorized stay.
You can now start working for Amazon as per the I-129 petition once you arrive!
So in summary, the main steps involve getting a relevant job offer, Amazon filing the petitions, USCIS approval, visa interview stamping, and finally entering the US to start employment.
Next, I‘ll share some pro tips and best practices to avoid mistakes in the process.
Expert Tips for Amazon‘s Visa Process
Based on my extensive experience with international team members, here are some top recommendations:
Apply for roles clearly marked for visa sponsorship – This avoids hassles later if the hiring team is not willing to sponsor.
Discuss need for sponsorship upfront – Don‘t assume Amazon will proactively offer a visa. Raise the topic yourself early in the hiring process.
Maintain status – If already in the US, ensure you maintain valid status during the entire petition and visa process. Falling out of status can have severe consequences.
Provide complete documentation – When Amazon requests paperwork from you, furnish accurate documents within deadlines to avoid delays.
Avoid mistakes in forms – Double check all forms submitted for accuracy. Something as minor as a spelling error can negatively impact or delay visa approval.
Be patient – Understand that the full process can easily take 6-12 months in current times. Plan accordingly.
Maintain ties to home country – Having strong reasons to return home after your stay helps get visa approval.
Renew on time – Remember to file for extensions early if your assignment at Amazon exceeds the initial approved period.
These tips will help you steer clear of common pitfalls based on what I‘ve learned advising international sellers over the years.
Next I‘ll outline the costs and fees to account for.
What Are the Costs and Fees for Amazon Visas?
Here are the typical expenses to factor in:
Expense | Cost |
---|---|
I-129 Filing Fee | $460 |
Fraud Prevention & Detection Fee | $500 |
ACWIA Fee | $1500 (Companies with >25% H-1Bs) |
Visa Application MRV Fee | $190 |
Visa Issuance Reciprocity Fee | $0 to $283 depending on nationality |
Expedite Fees (optional) | $1410 for premium processing, $1756 for interview expediting |
Legal Fees | $2000+ for attorney fees if using one |
Misc Expenses | Medical exams, translations, photocopies etc. |
So you should budget $5000 to $6000+ for a typical Amazon sponsored H-1B visa. Actual total costs may vary case-by-case.
For an L-1 visa, costs are generally lower since no CAP fees apply.
Now I‘ll summarize some key limitations and restrictions.
Understanding Amazon Visa Quotas and Limits
The major constraints are:
H-1B Cap: Annual limit of 85,000 of which 65,000 are for regular quota while 20,000 are for those with advanced US degrees. Reaching cap means limited chance.
H-1B Duration: Initial stay is up to 3 years. Can be extended to maximum of 6 years. Getting permanent residency is recommended before hitting the limit.
L-1 Limits: L-1A has max initial stay of 3 years with 2 year extensions for total of 7 years. L-1B has initial 3 years and extensions up to 5 years total.
E-1 Limits: No specific limits on length of stay but must maintain substantial trade activities.
O-1 Limits: Up to 3 years initially with 1 year extensions possible. No max limit but must maintain extraordinary ability.
Per country limits: For certain high demand countries, 7% per country cap on employment-based green cards can cause very long waits.
So quotas and duration restrictions apply, especially for popular visas like H-1B and green card. Planning long-term career at Amazon may require switching visa categories.
Now let‘s look at the typical timeline.
What‘s the Overall Timeline for Obtaining an Amazon Visa?
The approximate timelines are:
1-3 months for internal Amazon processing of paperwork
2-6 months for USCIS to approve petition
1-3 months for visa interview scheduling and approval
So in total you should budget 6 to 12 months from start to finish. Delays can happen so patience and flexibility is key.
USCIS also offers premium processing (15 days) and interview expediting for faster timelines but these add over $3000 in additional fees.
If denied, here are some alternative options.
What If You Are Denied an Amazon Visa? Alternatives to Consider
If your application gets rejected, some options are:
Request Reconsideration: Provide additional evidence and request USCIS to re-evaluate your case.
File Appeal: Formally challenge the denial by filing an appeal within 30 days. Success rates are low.
Re-apply: Build your credentials and re-apply in the next visa cycle showing how you now meet requirements.
Pursue Alternate Visa: Explore if you may qualify for a different visa type like O, P, TN etc.
Seek Direct Amazon Help: Petition Amazon to reconsider sponsoring you or appeal based on business needs.
Consider Other US Employers: Check if other willing employers can sponsor you for a visa.
Work at Amazon Outside the US: Look for roles at Amazon offices in your home country or other locations outside the US. Gain more experience before re-attempting to transfer internally.
So various options exist if your original petition gets denied. Be persistent and creative in evaluating alternatives if working for Amazon in the US remains your goal.
Conclusion
I hope this guide was useful in outlining all aspects of securing an Amazon sponsored work visa in 2023, including:
The main visa categories like H-1B and L-1 that Amazon offers
Eligibility criteria for each type of visa
Step-by-step process from job offer to final entry
Expert tips to avoid common mistakes
Estimated costs and fees to account for
Quotas, limits and timelines to be aware of
Alternatives if your visa petition gets rejected
The process does involve time, costs and effort but is very much doable if you meet the qualifications.
Equipped with the right information, you can successfully navigate Amazon‘s visa sponsorship program and realize your career goals.
Let me know if you have any other questions as you embark on this journey! I wish you the very best.