Whitehall Resources frequently recruit for SAP jobs all over the United States. You can find all our SAP Jobs here.
Typically, our US SAP Contract opportunities are filled by consultants who are US citizens, hold a green card or who possess a H1-B visa. This is because it is a lot more simplistic for US companies to hire a SAP Consultant who already has the right to live and work in the States. However, similar to obtaining visas in Europe, the hiring company will be willing to sponsor working visas if they are struggling to find a suitable SAP Consultant within the perimeters of their home nation. For SAP roles where there is more of a level playing field, you could look at SAP Contracts in the Middle East.
Contract SAP Jobs – Working Visa’s
Non US nationals must obtain the appropriate visa before taking up work, regardless of the length of employment.
There are many types of visas a foreign national can get to work in the US. For SAP contractors, typically the US H1-B visa is required. The US H1-B non-immigrant visas are for skilled, educated individuals employed in specialised occupations, i.e. SAP. The visa applicant must get the sponsorship of the hiring company in the US.
Recipients of an H1-B visa can remain in the US for three years, but the stay can be extended to a maximum of six years. The only requirement during the length of the stay is that the individual continues to work for the sponsoring employee. If you are dismissed or choose to leave, you must both apply for and be granted a change of status to another non-immigrant status, find another employer or leave the US.
Applying for a H-1B Visa
Before you can apply for a temporary worker visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker must be filed on your behalf by a prospective employer. The petition needs to be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Providing you meet the requirements, employers can start applying for a visa up to six months before the start date of your employment. (Note: there is a yearly cap on the number of H1-B visas issued.)
Once you have an approved petition, you can apply for a H1-B visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country you are living in. The application process involves an online Non immigrant Visa Application, an interview, application processing fees, and sometimes other requirements (depending on the U.S. Embassy that is processing the visa). For specific requirements, refer to the US embassy in your home country’s website.
For your interview, you will be required to produce:
- Passport – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US.
- Nonimmigrant Visa Application confirmation page – The confirmation of your online application.
- Application fee payment receipt – only if you were required to pay before your interview.
- Photo – You will have uploaded a photograph of yourself while completing the online visa application. If the photo upload fails, then you can bring it with you to the interview. However, it must meet the Photograph Requirements.
- Petition Receipt Number – the number on your approved Petition for a Non immigrant Worker.
During the interview, you will be told the verdict of your visa application. When approved, you will be informed how your visa will be returned to you. Only once you have been granted your visa should you make travel and living arrangements.
You can find further information on the visa process on the website of the U.S. Department of state.
This is a general summary and not legal advice. I recommend that you attain complete and up to date information from the Immigration Service or Embassy in your home country before making any work and travel plans. As an SAP agency, we have expert consultants who can advise on any of the above, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
