Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about US work visas, our service, timelines, and costs. If your question is not here, send it to us through the contact form.
About Tanta Visa Pathways
Are you a law firm?
No. Tanta Visa Pathways is NOT a law firm and does NOT provide legal advice. We provide immigration pathway guidance and navigation assistance - helping you understand your options, what to expect, and when you need a licensed immigration attorney. For legal counsel, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
How much does the assessment cost?
The initial Visa Pathway Assessment is free. We will tell you what visa categories fit your profile and what the general process looks like. We will also tell you upfront if your situation requires direct attorney involvement from the start.
What is the difference between your guidance and hiring an immigration attorney?
Immigration attorneys provide legal representation - they file petitions, respond to government requests, and represent you if issues arise. We help you understand the landscape before you get to that point: which visa applies to you, what the process looks like, what to prepare, and what realistic timelines are. When you need an attorney, we tell you and can refer you to vetted professionals.
Do I have to be a TGA graduate to use your services?
No. Tanta Visa Pathways is open to all Filipino professionals seeking US work authorization or immigration guidance, not just TGA graduates. TGA graduates do get some priority routing since they are already in our network.
Visa Processes & Timelines
How long does it take to get a US work visa?
It depends heavily on the visa type. H-1B: 6-12 months (with annual lottery in March, work start date October 1). L-1: 3-6 months. EB-3 (Philippines-born): 2-10+ years due to annual limits and country-of-birth backlogs. O-1: 3-6 months. Family-based: 6 months to 20+ years depending on category and relationship to the petitioner.
Do I need an employer to sponsor me?
Most US work visas require employer sponsorship - the employer files the petition on your behalf. The main exceptions are self-petition pathways like EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability), which does not require a sponsor but has a very high evidence bar.
What are the chances I will win the H-1B lottery?
In recent years, the H-1B lottery selection rate has been roughly 14-20% for the regular cap. If you have a US master's degree, you get an additional lottery entry which improves odds slightly. Cap-exempt employers (nonprofits, universities, government research organizations) are not subject to the lottery.
Can my US client sponsor me for a visa from the Philippines?
It depends on the work arrangement. For H-1B, your employer-client in the US would need to be a qualifying US entity and file as the petitioner. The exact relationship matters. This is one of the most common scenarios we see with TGA graduates, and the path forward varies a lot based on how the work relationship is structured.
Costs
How much does a US work visa cost?
Government filing fees vary by visa type. H-1B: $730-$4,730+ in USCIS fees (employer typically pays). EB-3: $700-$3,000+ in USCIS and DOL fees before consular processing costs. L-1: $460-$2,960+ in fees. These are government fees only - attorney fees are separate and typically add $3,000-$10,000+ depending on complexity. Premium processing (faster review) for most visa types adds $2,805.
Who pays the visa fees - me or my employer?
For employer-sponsored visas like H-1B, the employer is required by law to pay the USCIS filing fees. They may also pay attorney fees, though some employers negotiate cost-sharing. For self-petitioned paths like EB-1A, you pay your own costs.
Philippines-Specific Questions
Why is the EB-3 wait so long for Philippine-born applicants?
The US limits the number of green cards issued per country of birth each year. The Philippines (along with India, China, and Mexico) historically uses its full annual quota, creating a backlog. The wait time is determined by your 'priority date' - when your PERM/I-140 was filed - and when that date becomes 'current' in the State Department's Visa Bulletin.
I am Filipino but have a US master's degree. Does that help?
Yes, for H-1B it gives you an extra lottery entry (the advanced degree exemption pool). For EB-3, your degree level affects which category you file under (professional vs. skilled worker). For EB-2 or EB-1A pathways, a US degree can strengthen your case significantly.
Does TGA certification help with a US visa application?
It depends on the visa type. For EB-1A or O-1, TGA certification alone is not sufficient evidence of extraordinary ability - those pathways require national or international recognition. For H-1B or EB-3, TGA certification can demonstrate professional training and strengthen your overall profile, but the employer's petition and your underlying qualifications carry more weight. TVP will tell you honestly where your certification adds value and where it does not.
Can a US client hire me directly from the Philippines and sponsor my visa?
Yes, in some cases. For H-1B, your US client would need to qualify as the petitioning employer and the work arrangement must meet USCIS requirements for employer-employee relationship. For EB-3, the same applies - the client becomes your sponsoring employer through the PERM process. The structure of your current work relationship (contractor vs. employee, project-based vs. ongoing) matters a lot. This is one of the most common scenarios we see with TGA graduates, and TVP assesses the specific relationship before recommending a path.
Is there a visa pathway that does not require an employer sponsor?
Yes - EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability green card) and O-1 (Extraordinary Ability visa) are both self-petition pathways that do not require an employer sponsor. EB-1A is a green card with no Philippines-born priority date backlog, which is a significant advantage. The evidence bar is high - USCIS requires you to meet at least 3 of 10 defined criteria - but it is achievable for professionals with documented recognition in their field. TVP runs an honest assessment against all 10 criteria so you know where you stand before investing in an application.
TVP cannot guarantee I will get a visa. So what exactly am I paying for?
You are paying for clarity and preparation. No one can guarantee a visa outcome - not us, not an attorney. What TVP provides is an honest assessment of which pathways fit your profile, what the realistic timeline and cost looks like for each, what evidence you need to build, and what you can do right now to improve your position. Going into a visa process uninformed is expensive. Going in prepared - knowing your best path, understanding the requirements, and having a plan - is what we help you do.
Does TGA certification improve my visa application chances?
TGA certification demonstrates professional readiness and English communication competency to US-based employers and visa sponsors. While certification alone does not guarantee visa approval, it strengthens your profile with verifiable credentials that sponsors recognize.
Can a US employer hire me as a Filipino national?
Yes. US employers can sponsor Filipino nationals for work visas including H-1B, EB-3, and J-1 categories depending on the role and qualifications. Tanta Visa Pathways helps match qualified Filipino professionals with employers actively seeking to sponsor international talent.
Does Tanta Visa Pathways guarantee visa approval?
No. No legitimate visa consultant or attorney can guarantee visa approval - that decision rests entirely with USCIS and the US Embassy. What we guarantee is thorough preparation, accurate documentation, and honest guidance throughout the process.
What do employers need to do to sponsor a visa?
Employers must demonstrate they have a legitimate job opening, have completed a labor market test (for most visa types), and meet financial requirements to support sponsorship. Tanta Visa Pathways provides employer guidance packages that walk US businesses through the full sponsorship process.
All information on this page is general educational content about US immigration and visa processes. It is NOT legal advice. Immigration law is complex and individual situations vary. Consult a licensed immigration attorney for advice specific to your situation.
Still have questions?
Submit your question through the contact form and we will respond directly. Or start with the free assessment and we can address your specific situation.
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