Map the actual employment category before dividing the US application tasks. Keep the employer petition, consular visa and admission as separate stages, with different records and responsible organisations.
Name the actual employment category
The official temporary-worker guidance separates an employer petition handled through USCIS, a visa application handled through the consular process and admission by CBP. It states that an approved petition does not guarantee visa issuance and that a visa does not guarantee entry. Read US Department of State: Temporary Worker Visas.
Your working sheet
The following is an editorial organisation tool, not an official application checklist. Copy the rows that help and fill them with your own verified records.
| Check | What to record |
|---|---|
| Employer stage | Ask which petition category applies and who supplies the approved notice |
| Applicant stage | Read the consular instructions for the actual visa category and post |
| Entry stage | Prepare the travel and admission records separately from the employer's approval |
A practical example
For example, an employer may report a petition approval while the candidate still needs the consular process. A realistic work-start calendar keeps that second stage open. It does not convert the employer's approval email into proof that the candidate already holds a travel visa.
Before the next step
Use the official route instructions, employer immigration contact and consular post. Do not assume every employment category follows the same petition path. Keep final travel and start commitments connected to the actual outstanding decisions rather than an estimated processing period.
Continue with the guide library or save the next task in the moving planner. Official requirements can change; the source above was checked on 17 October 2026.