Do you hope of one day living the “American dream”? Are you curious about how I secured my H1-B visa? Would you like to know how I discovered an agency and the cost of the overall process? I will be subtly posting all the information I went through, it may differ depending on the agency you will go through. I'm also available for questions and suggestions, so comment down if you have one.
Since information is power, I thoroughly researched my options and verified legitimacy before resigning. In order to assess the situation before moving forward with the process—paying an amount of money is no joke—I additionally asked for the testimony from those who had previously been assigned to another state by a specific agency.
Agency hunt
It is somewhat relieving that I found a new agency, as one of my college friends knows the manager. I joined the weekly webinar to get the response to their customers' FAQ (frequently asked questions) and to understand the process more. I've already emailed my resume after two days. They announce the positions they need filled in each state on their Facebook page. I immediately wrote them an email with the specifics of their recently posted employment when I noticed the music position.
Inquiry
You are going to get a follow-up email from them informing you that you are among the applicants for this school's offer and that the principal will be interviewing you. Depending on the state in which you will be interviewed, they will provide you with a date and time; in my instance, that was Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Interview
If you were chosen for the post, it will be announced on their Facebook page. The following step will also be notified to you via email. In order to avoid giving the job to the next applicant, they will first ask you if you wish to proceed ahead.
Payment and Processing
They will provide you with a breakdown of the payment; as mine was in dollars, you will have to convert it. Additionally, my agency just handles H1-B visas, which are work permits, so the total fee is quite different. I prayed every night and asked for my family and relatives' assistance, even though at first I wasn't sure where I would get that kind of money. To proceed, they request a 50% down payment.
Requirements such as TOR for credential evaluation, diploma, NBI, medical, etc., will also be needed.
Visa granted
They will file your paperwork with the USCIS after evaluating your credentials. The process could take up to two or three weeks if you paid for expediting your papers. If there are no discrepancies, everything will go smoothly. In no more than three weeks, I received approval for my H1-B visa.
Interview
You will be scheduled for an interview at the US Embassy in Manila by the agency. You need to be patient as your agent assists and helps you. A lot of papers must be printed and organized. It is also necessary that you appear early for your interview. In my instance, I arrived for my interview fifteen minutes early, and I made it to the first window on the dot. Be aware that having all of the documents does not guarantee that you will pass. It's still a 50/50 shot. You will have to pay for your visa if you make it through the interview. You have to turn in your passport before you leave the area. In three to five business days, they will email your passport back with your US visa stamped inside.
Last step
They will tell you what to do in POEA. An OEC (Overseas Employment Certification) is required for each OFW. All you have to do is complete the office paperwork, attend the mandatory webinar, and take the online test related to the module they will be reading. Since they will be handling the organization and security of your documents, you will also be entrusting them with your passport. When your OEC is released, the agency or the POEA representative will let you know so you can purchase a ticket.
Ticket
Just a friendly reminder that you need to talk to your agency before booking a one-way ticket. Some agencies can be misleading; it is better if they reimburse your ticket purchase or cover the cost themselves. Not in my case, it was at my own expense.
That's it, then. I did try to help by explaining as much as I could. It is no joke to be an OFW. Before I could experience the freedom and contentment I am enjoying now, I too went through all of those steps. Sharing is caring, too. Until the following blog post!
All images are mine unless stated otherwise
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