Rigger Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Rigger jobs in the U.S. are classified as skilled trades requiring specialized physical expertise, and sponsoring employers typically pursue H-2B visa for seasonal project work or EB-3 for permanent hires. Construction, entertainment, and industrial sectors actively sponsor qualified riggers, though PERM labor certification adds 12–18 months to the green card timeline.
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Get Access To All JobsSubsidiary
New Millennium
Overview
Full time rigging table position.
Responsibilities
- Rigging/welding joist
- Small line repairs
- Cleaning
Qualifications
- Ability to make quick decisions in a fast paced, team oriented work environment.
- Ability to follow directions and stay busy.
Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.
Subsidiary
New Millennium
Overview
Full time rigging table position.
Responsibilities
- Rigging/welding joist
- Small line repairs
- Cleaning
Qualifications
- Ability to make quick decisions in a fast paced, team oriented work environment.
- Ability to follow directions and stay busy.
Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Rigger Jobs
Document your rigging certifications before applying
Gather your NCCCO, ASME B30, or equivalent rigging and signalperson certifications before outreach. Employers filing EB-3 PERM petitions will reference these credentials in the job description, and gaps between your documented training and the posted requirements can trigger a recruitment audit.
Target industrial and construction contractors directly
Petrochemical plants, shipyards, and large-scale construction firms run multi-year projects that justify EB-3 sponsorship timelines. Stage-rigging and touring entertainment companies more often use H-2B for seasonal peaks, so clarify project duration before investing in an application.
Search verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find employers with confirmed LCA and PERM filing history for rigging roles. Filtering by industry lets you distinguish between seasonal H-2B filers and companies running full EB-3 green card pipelines, so you approach the right employer for your visa pathway.
Verify prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Run the posted role's location and job title through the OFLC Wage Search to confirm which prevailing wage level applies. Rigger roles classified at Level I carry lower wage floors than Level III supervisory positions, and DOL will deny PERM certification if the offered wage falls below the certified level.
Understand H-2B cap timing for seasonal rigging work
H-2B has a 66,000 annual cap split across two half-year periods. Employers sponsoring riggers for summer construction or touring seasons must file temporary labor certification with DOL well ahead of the need date, so a late offer letter can disqualify you from the current cap period entirely.
Confirm the PERM job description matches your actual duties
PERM labor certification locks the sponsored position's requirements. If your day-to-day rigging duties involve aerial lifts or confined-space work not listed in the certified description, USCIS can deny the I-140 petition for inconsistency, so review the filed job order with your employer before the petition is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What visa types are available for rigger jobs in the U.S.?
Riggers most commonly enter on H-2B visas for temporary or seasonal project work, or pursue EB-3 skilled worker green cards for permanent positions. H-2B requires the employer to demonstrate a temporary need and file a temporary labor certification with DOL. EB-3 requires PERM labor certification and an I-140 petition filed with USCIS. TN visa and H-1B visa are not applicable because rigging is not a specialty occupation requiring a directly related bachelor's degree.
Do I need a degree to get a rigger job sponsored in the U.S.?
No. EB-3 skilled worker classification requires at least two years of training or experience but does not require a degree. Industry certifications such as NCCCO rigging or ASME B30 compliance training, combined with documented field experience, typically satisfy the EB-3 skilled worker standard. PERM labor certification will specify the minimum requirements, and your credentials must meet but not exceed what the employer listed in the job description.
How long does EB-3 sponsorship take for a rigger?
PERM labor certification alone takes roughly 12 to 18 months from filing to DOL approval under current processing times. After PERM approval, the employer files an I-140 immigrant petition with USCIS, which adds several more months. If you're from a country with a priority date backlog, such as India or China, the total wait can extend to years before you can apply for adjustment of status or an immigrant visa.
Which industries most commonly sponsor riggers for U.S. work visas?
Petrochemical and refinery construction, offshore oil and gas, shipbuilding, heavy industrial manufacturing, and large-scale civil construction are the strongest EB-3 sponsors for riggers because their project cycles justify multi-year immigration timelines. Entertainment touring and event production companies more frequently use H-2B for seasonal hires. You can browse verified sponsoring employers across these sectors on Migrate Mate.
Can I transfer my rigging visa sponsorship if I change employers?
For H-2B, status is tied to the specific employer and project, so a job change requires a new petition and DOL labor certification. For EB-3 green card holders in progress, portability rules under AC21 allow you to transfer to a same or similar occupation once the I-485 adjustment of status application has been pending for 180 days. Confirm with USCIS that the new rigging role qualifies as substantially similar before making the switch.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Rigger jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.