Free Trade Agreement Professional: Chile, Singapore (H-1B1/FTA) Visa

The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Singapore and Chile signed by the U.S government in 2004. The nationals of Chile and Singapore nationals can apply for work in the U.S with the H-1B1 visa under these circumstances. It is also known as the FTA visa. There are several types of H-1B1 visas.

• H-1B1 Visa Chile
• H-1B1 Visa Singapore

This visa eligible for professionals from these two countries who have completed higher education degrees, such as Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctoral Degrees in the fields like:

• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Engineering
• Physical Science
• Health care and medicine
• Business
• Biotechnology, etc.

This visa also eligible for those who don't have any higher education degrees, but have broad training and special skills like:

• For nationals of Chile:
  • Agricultural Management
  • Physical Therapy
• For citizens of both Singapore and Chile:
  • Management of Disaster Relief Claims
  • Experienced management consultant

Though H-1B1 is same as H1B visa but there some difference like:

• H-1B1 visas employers don't have to file I-129 forms with USCIS as it's not petition based
• H-1B1 visa holders have to show strong reasons why they will return to their countries
• H-1B1 visa holders can able to practise a profession without possessing a license where it is applicable

H-1B1 visa holders can't apply for a U.S Green Card

Employers have to meet up some requirements for H-1B1 visas to sponsor applicants. These are as follows:

• First, propose a job position with specific educational and experience requirements to a Chilean or Singaporean national.
• Getting a Labor Condition Application (LCA) Certification from the Department of Labor by applying through the ETA-9035E. It will ensure the U.S government and the employee that:
  • The full fundamental wage should provide as salary
  • Any changes made in the certification will notify the employee
  • Make sure the work environment will follow to all U.S laws
  • The government should know where the work is completed
  • Companies all information, number of employees, state employee job descriptions, and income should have in government knowledge
• All the applicable fees should be paid
• The employer should have the documents of the employee copies of the passport as evidence of nationals of Chile and Singapore, tax information, and wages report that are paid to the state employees. Submit these documents as proof to the Department of Labor.

The worker or applicant of the H-1B1 visa should have some documents to meet up with the visa application process.

• As proof of their professionalism, the applicant has to show their diplomas, certifications, and work experience letters.
• They cannot be able to work as an independent contractor or freelancer
• The applicant has to show strong reasons why they will return to their countries
• They have to submit a job offer letter with a job description and benefits while they stay in the U.S.

There are some steps to apply for a G visa which is mentioned in the below: 

Step 1: Fill up the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form:

The applicant can fill up the visa form online. After submission, they will get a confirmation page, and they have to save it for the future.

Step 2: Pay the visa application fee:

Applicants can pay the fees online. These fees include application form fees, visa issuance fees, reciprocity fees, and other applicable fees.

Step 3: Visa interview:

Book an appointment for an interview as early as possible.

The applicant will need these following documents:

• A Valid passport
• A Photograph that fills up visa requirement
• DS-160 visa application confirmation page 
• A valid job offer letter with full duties description
• A valid Labor Condition Application (LCA) certificate provided by the Department of Labor
• DS-160 form visa application confirmation page 

The H-1B1 visa holder spouse and children can apply for an H-4 visa. They will allow enrolling in any academic program, but they can't do any job in the U.S. For spouses, they have to show their marriage certificate.

This is valid for 12 to 18 months, and anyone can apply for extension 4 to 6 months before it expires until they have a job in the U.S and definite proof that they will return to their country.

There are some health insurance facilities for H-1B1 visa holders depend on their stay period in the U.S. These are as follows:

• Short-term insurance
• Long-term insurance (domestic)