How to Immigrate to the US as a Construction Worker

2.5 minute read

"The United States is a popular destination for foreign workers looking to achieve a higher standard of life. Thousands of immigrants travel to the US in the hope to achieve the American dream and a better lifestyle.This is not limited to only skilled foreign workers. Millions of immigrant workers from all over the world come to the US for low-wage and semi-skilled jobs."

Written by My Visa Source Team
Published on: Apr 12, 2021

The United States is a popular destination for foreign workers looking to achieve a higher standard of life. Thousands of immigrants travel to the US in the hope to achieve the American dream and a better lifestyle.

This is not limited to only skilled foreign workers. Millions of immigrant workers from all over the world come to the US for low-wage and semi-skilled jobs.

As a construction worker, you might feel that the options are limited. However, according to the most recent 2016 American Community Survey, the percentage of foreign workers in the construction industry in the US is rising steadily.

Immigrants account for almost 25% of the overall construction workforce and around 30% in the construction trades.

Who Is a Construction Worker in the US?

The occupation of a construction worker is classified as Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code 47-000.

A construction worker is responsible for several on-site responsibilities including removing debris, erecting scaffolding, loading and unloading materials and operating and assisting heavy equipment.

In addition to the above, they are also responsible for preparing the construction site, materials and tools, loading and unloading tools, removing the garbage and dangerous material from the site, assembling and breaking down temporary structures and scaffolding and assisting different contractors.

Different occupations of a construction site are classified as:

SOC 47-1000: Supervisors of Construction and Extraction Workers
SOC 47-1010: First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
SOC 11-9020: Construction Managers

A construction worker can earn up to $32k annually in the US.

What Are the Requirements to be a Construction Worker in the US?

Having a high school diploma is the most basic requirement of a construction worker. It is beneficial if they have vocational training through taking classes in welding, woodshop and mathematics in high school.

Most construction workers are trained on-site by their employers. The employees could be required to pass an industry-specific certification to demonstrate their understanding of the field.

These certifications include:

Occupation Visa Options for Immigrating to the US

National Association of Safety Professionals Certifications

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Construction Certificate

Silica in Construction Certificate

What Are the US Visa Programs Available for Foreign Construction Workers to Immigrate to the US?

There are 2 visa programs available for construction workers who want to immigrate to the United States:

H-2B Visa: Non-Agricultural Workers

The H-2B Visa is a temporary or nonimmigrant visa that allows skilled, unskilled and professional workers to travel to the US for non-agricultural and non-seasonal jobs. There are several occupations eligible for this visa, including:

Landscaping and groundskeeping workers

Forest and conservation workers

Amusement and recreation attendants

Maids and housekeeping cleaners

Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

To qualify, you must have a valid job offer from a US-based employer.

EB-3 Visa: Employment-Based Visa for Permanent Workers

The EB-3 Visa is a permanent immigrant visa that allows foreign workers to travel to the US for permanent employment. You must have the required work experience and a valid job offer to qualify for this visa program.