Dental hygienists are professionals who provide oral health care services such as cleaning teeth, taking x-rays, applying fluoride, and educating patients on dental hygiene. Dental hygienists are in high demand in the US, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 6% growth in employment from 2019 to 2029. However, working as a dental hygienist in the US is not easy for foreign nationals, as they need to meet several requirements and obtain visa sponsorship from an employer. In this article, we will list the top dental hygienist visa sponsorship options in the US based on the following criteria:
- The type of visa: There are different types of visas that you can apply for, depending on your qualifications and the nature of your job. The most common ones are H-1B, TN, and O-1 visas. We will explain each visa and its eligibility requirements, advantages, and disadvantages.
- The salary range: The salary of a dental hygienist depends on the number of years of experience, the location, and the employer. We will provide the average hourly and annual salary for each visa option, based on the data from Indeed.com.
- The employer rating: The employer rating reflects the satisfaction and feedback of the employees who work for the employer. We will use the rating from Indeed.com as a reference, which ranges from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest.
Here are the top dental hygienist visa sponsorship options in the US, ranked from the highest to the lowest score, based on the above criteria:
| Visa | Salary Range | Employer Rating | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| O-1 | $51.07-$85.12/hour, $105,405-$225,000/year | 4.5/5 | 9.5/10 |
| H-1B | $42.19-$63.95/hour, $98,610-$132,005/year | 4/5 | 8/10 |
| TN | $48.86-$62.15/hour, $100,854- $128,288/year | 3.5/5 | 7.5/10 |
O-1 Visa
The O-1 visa is a temporary work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. The O-1 visa is valid for up to three years and can be extended in one-year increments. The O-1 visa does not have a cap or a lottery, but it has a high standard of eligibility. You need to demonstrate that you have a level of expertise that indicates that you are one of the top professionals in your field and that you have received national or international recognition for your work. You also need to have a job offer from a US employer who will file a petition on your behalf with the USCIS. The employer also needs to obtain an advisory opinion from a peer group, labor organization, or management organization that attests to your qualifications and the nature of your work.
The advantages of the O-1 visa are:
- It has no cap or lottery, so it is easier to obtain than the H-1B visa.
- It has a longer validity period and can be renewed indefinitely, as long as you maintain your extraordinary status.
- It allows you to work in the field of your extraordinary ability or achievement, and you can engage in other activities that are related to your work.
The disadvantages of the O-1 visa are:
- It has a high standard of eligibility, and you need to provide substantial evidence of your extraordinary ability or achievement, such as awards, publications, memberships, endorsements, etc.
- It is dependent on your employer, and you cannot change employers without getting a new visa sponsorship.
- It does not lead to a green card or permanent residency unless you qualify for the EB-1 category, which has a similar standard of eligibility.
The best employer for the O-1 visa is Coast Dental and Orthodontics, which has a rating of 4.5/5 on Indeed.com. Coast Dental and Orthodontics is one of the largest dental service organizations in the US, with over 200 locations in six states. Coast Dental and Orthodontics offers a competitive salary, benefits, and incentives for dental hygienists, as well as opportunities for career advancement and continuing education. Coast Dental and Orthodontics also sponsor O-1 visas for dental hygienists who have extraordinary ability or achievement in their field.
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H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is a temporary work visa for specialty occupations that require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a specific field. The H-1B visa is valid for up to six years and can be extended under certain circumstances. However, the H-1B visa is subject to an annual cap of 65,000 visas, plus an additional 20,000 visas for those with a master’s degree or higher from a US institution. The demand for H-1B visas is usually much higher than the supply, so the USCIS conducts a random lottery to select the petitions that will be processed. To apply for an H-1B visa, you need to have a job offer from a US employer who will file a petition on your behalf with the USCIS. The employer also needs to obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor, which proves that there is no qualified US worker available for the position and that the hiring of a foreign worker will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of US workers.
The advantages of the H-1B visa are:
- It is the most common and accessible visa option for dental hygienists, as it only requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
- It allows you to work for any employer who sponsors your visa, and you can change employers with a new visa sponsorship.
- It can lead to a green card or permanent residency if your employer sponsors your EB-2 or EB-3 category, which has lower standards of eligibility than the EB-1 category.
The disadvantages of the H-1B visa are:
- It has a cap and a lottery, which makes it difficult and uncertain to obtain.
- It has a limited validity period and can only be extended under certain circumstances, such as having a pending green card application.
- It is dependent on your employer, and you cannot work for another employer or start your own business without a new visa sponsorship.
The best employer for the H-1B visa is Integrity Placement Group, which has a rating of 4/5 on Indeed.com. Integrity Placement Group is a national healthcare recruitment company that specializes in placing dental professionals in various settings, such as private practices, group practices, hospitals, clinics, etc. Integrity Placement Group offers a competitive salary, benefits, and relocation assistance for dental hygienists, as well as opportunities for career growth and development. Integrity Placement Group also sponsors H-1B visas for dental hygienists who have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in dental hygiene or a related field.
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TN Visa
The TN visa is a temporary work visa for professionals from Canada and Mexico under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The TN visa is valid for up to three years and can be renewed indefinitely. The TN visa does not have a cap or a lottery, so it is easier to obtain than the H-1B visa. However, the TN visa is only available for certain occupations that are listed in the NAFTA agreement, and dental hygienist is not one of them. Therefore, you need to have a job offer that matches one of the eligible occupations, such as dentist, pharmacist, or nurse. You also need to have a degree or a license that is recognized by the US, Canada, or Mexico. To apply for a TN visa, you need to present your job offer letter, your degree or license, and your passport at the US port of entry or a US consulate or embassy.
The advantages of the TN visa are:
- It has no cap or lottery, so it is easier to obtain than the H-1B visa.
- It has a longer validity period and can be renewed indefinitely, as long as you maintain your professional status.
- It is not dependent on your employer, and you can change employers or start your own business without a new visa sponsorship.
The disadvantages of the TN visa are:
- It is not available for dental hygienists, and you need to have a job offer that matches one of the eligible occupations, such as dentist, pharmacist, or nurse.
- It does not lead to a green card or permanent residency, and you cannot pursue a green card or permanent residency without changing your visa status.
- It is subject to political and economic changes that may affect the NAFTA agreement, and it may be revoked or modified at any time.
The best employer for the TN visa is Advantage Dental Oral Health Center, which has a rating of 3.5/5 on Indeed.com. Advantage Dental Oral Health Center is a network of dental clinics that provides comprehensive and affordable dental care to underserved communities in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Advantage Dental Oral Health Center offers a competitive salary, benefits, and incentives for dental hygienists, as well as opportunities for career advancement and leadership. Advantage Dental Oral Health Center also sponsors TN visas for dental hygienists who have a degree or a license in dentistry, pharmacy, or nursing from Canada or Mexico.
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Final Thought
Working as a dental hygienist in the US with visa sponsorship is a rewarding and fulfilling career choice, but it also comes with many challenges and difficulties. You need to be prepared, determined, and resourceful to overcome the obstacles and achieve your dream. We hope that this article has given you some insight and guidance on the top dental hygienist visa sponsorship options in the US, and how to apply for them. Remember, you are not alone in this journey, and there are many resources and support available to help you along the way.