Work Visas in the U.S.
Everything you need to know about visas for work in the USA.
Types of visas that can be obtained, conditions for obtaining a visa, and much more.
- Kostyantyn Diudiunov
- Updated: May 20, 2024
The United States offers excellent opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship. With a transparent legal system, low corruption levels, state support for small businesses, and a welcoming society, the USA provides a platform not only for work but also for earning a respectable living.
As per U.S. immigration laws, foreigners without residency permits must obtain a categorized working visa.
Typically, prospective employers file petitions with USCIS on behalf of nonimmigrant applicants.
Who can apply for a working visa in the U.S.
The U.S. offers various permanent and temporary work visas, each tailored to specific foreign citizens based on factors like field of expertise, educational qualifications, career achievements, and citizenship.
Here’s a table listing of American work visas and their requirements:
| Work visa in the U.S. (category) | General Description | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Foreign highly skilled workers | Job offer from a U.S. employer. Higher education (bachelor’s degree or higher) The U.S. allocates 65,000 H-1B visa quotas annually for bachelor’s and 20,000 for master’s degrees |
| H-2B | Foreign workers for unskilled (non-agricultural) positions | Seasonal job offer from a U.S. employer The U.S. allocates a quota for 66,000 H-2B visas annually. In addition, a yearly roster of countries is authorized, allowing only citizens from specific nations to apply for H-2B visas |
| E-1 / E-2 | Foreign private investors or company employees involved in U.S. investment or trade | The investor (individual or legal entity) must be a citizen or be registered in a country that is a party to an agreement on mutual investment with the United States |
| L | Foreign business owners and key employees | Establishing a U.S. branch with an employee transfer |
| O | Individuals with extraordinary abilities in various fields, such as sciences, arts, education, business, sports | A job offer from a U.S. employer. Outstanding abilities and achievements of national or international importance |
| P | Foreign athletes, creative professionals, and their team members (coaches, managers, assistants) | A job offer from a U.S. employer |
| I | Representatives of foreign media | Visa applicants must be sent to the United States on business trips to perform work related to news releases and reporting on current events |
| R | Foreign religious figures whose rank is recognized by a spiritual organization located in the United States | Job offer from a religious organization |
You can learn more about each type of work visa in the U.S. on the corresponding pages of our website.
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Changing your nonimmigrant status to a work visa status
If you are in the United States in a legal nonimmigrant status (for example, tourist or student), you can change your status to a work visa without leaving the country.
Assistance of an immigration lawyer in obtaining a work visa
If you are uncertain about which visa program suits you or anticipate complexities during the visa application process, our immigration lawyer can provide expert guidance.
We offer consultations and comprehensive support for obtaining a U.S. work visa. You could book a consultation with immigration lawyer Natalia Kolyada Nelson through our website.
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Frequently asked questions about U.S. work visas
Most visa programs allow spouses and unmarried children under 21 to relocate to the United States. Their ability to study or work depends on the primary visa holder’s type.
Yes, the H-1B work visa in the U.S. offers a pathway to obtaining a green card through a U.S. employer’s sponsorship.
The processing time varies depending on the type of work visa.
Natalia Kolyada Nelson
Experienced Immigration Attorney in Boston. Natalia represents clients in all aspects of immigration law, including family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, asylum, and deportation defense.
Need help from the U.S. immigration attorney?
Natalia Kolyada Nelson is an experienced immigration attorney in Boston who represents clients in all aspects of U.S. immigration law.
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