How do I get a work visa for Hawaii?

Hawaii's warm climate and tropical beauty makes it dream place to live and work for many people. However, the high demand of jobs in Hawaii makes employers pay less compared to U.S. mainland employers. The average salary in Hawaii is between $30,000 to $50,000 a year, and approximately 20% to 30% of that is substracted for federal and state taxes. Knowing this, have in mind Hawaii is one of the most expensive places in the U.S. to live. A small one-bedroom apartment runs between $1,200 to $1,600 per month in Honolulu, where most of the Hawaii jobs are.

Jobs with best pay

The best paid jobs in Hawaii are in the fields of the medical industry, law firms and military and government jobs. If your job is in one of those industries you could make around $100,000 or more per year.

Jobs with lowest pay

Service jobs pay little in Hawaii, such as cashiers, tour desk assistants, receptionists, fast food workers, etc. The average pay for service jobs is between $8 to $10 per hour.

Waiters, maids, taxi drivers, tour bus guides also make about $8 to $10 per hour, but depending on where they work their tips can be up to $300 or more a day. The best places to make big tips are busy hotels and restaurants where there is a big turnover of guests.

Where to look for jobs in Hawaii

One of the most popular places to look for a job in Hawaii is Craigslist. Also, jobs are posted on the websites of Hawaii's main newspaper, the Star Advertiser. If you are serious about finding a job in Hawaii you may also consult with a local job agency.

Work environment

Many jobs in Hawaii feel more casual and laid back than on the U.S. mainland. Many companies don't have a strict dress code and going to work with Aloha attire is very common, especially on Aloha Fridays. Because of Hawaii's multicultural environment, you will meet people from all over the world.

How to find a job in Hawaii for foreign citizens

Hawaii is a U.S. state and U.S. working regulations are very strict. People who are not U.S. citizens or green card holders need a valid work visa to work in Hawaii, such as an H-1B visa or investor visa.

H-1B visa to work in Hawaii

According to the U.S. government: H-1B classification applies to persons in a specialty occupation which requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge requiring completion of a specific course of higher education. This classification requires a labor attestation issued by the Secretary of Labor. This classification also applies to Government-to-Government research and development, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense.

In other words, to get an H-1B visa you need to have a specialty occupation which is in high demand in the U.S. Then you must have an employer who is willing to sponsor you and pay you the prevailing wage (which is required for all H-1B workers). An H-1B visa is valid for 3 years, after which it can be renewed for another 3 years.

Important note: If you lose your job while you are in H-1B status, you need to find a new employer within 10 business days who is willing to sponsor you and pay you the prevailing wage. If you are unable to find a new employer, you will have to leave the U.S.

What other options are available?

If you can't get an H-1B visa, there is another way how you can work in Hawaii. Foreign students with an F-1 visa are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week in Hawaii after 9 months of their arrival in the U.S. This can be arranged through the school. If you need a job immediately you don't need to wait for 9 months. You can get a job on campus (up to 20 hours a week), but keep in mind that usually campus jobs pay very little - about $7-8 per hour, which is not enough to cover basic expenses.

After you graduate from your school you will be given a one-year work permit to work in the U.S. (OPT-Optional Practical Training). If you have a science, technology or mathematics degree (i.e. computer technologies) you might be able to extend your OPT for 17 more months.

How do I get a work visa for Hawaii?

Australian specialty occupation workers

Created in 2005, E-3 visas are available only to Australian citizens coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform a specialty occupation. The position you plan to fill must require theoretical and practical application of a body of professional knowledge. At a minimum, you must have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent expertise.

E-3 eligibility criteria

  • Australian citizenship
  • A legitimate offer of work in the U.S.
  • The required academic and professional credentials
  • You will occupy a specialty position

Meeting the E-3 eligibility criteria can be complex; if you plan on working in the U.S. as an Australian specialty occupation worker, consult with a professional immigration lawyer to ensure that you meet the requirements.

Applying for an E-3 visa

Your future employer must file a Labor Conditions Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor, and a form I-129 with United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS). A business immigration attorney should guide your employer through the filing process. The I-129 must contain:

  • Proof of Australian citizenship
  • A letter from your employer in the U.S., describing your occupation, your planned length of stay, and any salary arrangements
  • Evidence that the job offered normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field
  • Evidence that you meet the educational requirements for the visa (a bachelor’s degree or equivalent for your specialty)
  • Evidence that you meet other licensing and occupational requirements
  • Evidence that your prospective employer has filed an LCA with the Department of Labor

Period of stay/extension of stay

The initial period of stay is two years. Additional extensions of two years may be filed without limit.

Change of employer

If you change employers, your new employer must file another LCA and a new E-3 visa application on your behalf. The time between jobs may be no more than ten days.

Family

You may bring your spouse and children under the age of 21 to the U.S. under an E-3 visa. In addition, spouses may apply for an employment authorization document to work in the United States. The process usually takes about three months.

Depending on whether you are filing for an E-3 visa from Australia or from within the United States, the requirements differ greatly. If you desire assistance with any of these filings, contact an immigration lawyer. The Law Offices of KahBo Dye-Chiew, immigration attorney, can help you arrange and plan your legal U.S. employment.

Get assistance from an immigration attorney

If you are an Australian specialty occupation worker wanting to obtain the appropriate E-3 visas for work in the United States, contact immigration attorney KahBo Dye-Chiew at 866-510-7082, or submit an online email form.

How much is a working visa for Hawaii?

If you are travelling to Hawaii for longer than 90 days, or you plan on working whilst there, you would need to apply for a US visa. There are many different types of US visa with different application fees but the cheapest one is $160. K visas currently have an application fee of $265 and E visas are $205.

Can I move to Hawaii and get a job?

Look for Jobs in Hawaii Yes, you can. Many newcomers do just that. Even so, you will have to find a job as soon as possible due to the high living expenses. The exceptions are remote workers who bring their job with them and retirees.

What is the easiest way to get a work visa?

Online applications are one of the easiest ways to get a work visa. Many visa services offer step by step applications, eVisa expert support, and visas delivered right to your inbox. For non-Americans, these can be great resource for finding visa information for your nationality.

Do non US citizens need a visa for Hawaii?

Although visa is not required for general trip to Hawaii, be sure to apply for ESTA before travel.