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Can you please ELI5:

How does the visa program work?

So - say youre an engineer in another country and you want a work visa in the US - does one seek a job first or a visa first? Based on that - what is a bullet list of steps (checklist) for the process to be expedient/smooth/successful?

(I am one who will never require this - but I want to understand the process and what people go through to get the H1Bs etc...)

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I want to commend you for trying to learn more about the immigration process. More often than not, I find that Americans tend to not know hoops and travails that internationals have to jump through to work in the US, or even just to keep working in the US. Too often, I've heard "H1-B is for cheap foreign labor - just apply for an EB-1/2 or something."

Yep, all of the Americans I've dealt with have been shocked to find out how difficult it is to immigrate. In fairness, I had no idea either before I tried.

Yes, that's right, a job offer and support for a visa by the employer are required before the visa can be applied for. A checklist will depend on the individual's qualifications, country of citizenship, and the job offer so it's hard to give a general checklist.

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