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Working in the United States can be a great opportunity for foreign nationals, but it is important to understand the different types of work visas that are available and the requirements for obtaining them.
Immigrants who come to the U.S. to work have a number of different visa options. This guide will explain the most common types of work visas and the eligibility criteria for each.
The two most common types of work visas are: Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas and Permanent Workers
Temporary Work Visa
Temporary nonimmigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States on a temporary basis. These visas are typically valid for a specific period of time and cannot be extended beyond the expiration date. Some examples of temporary nonimmigrant visas include:
1. H-1B visas
These are issued to foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States in a specialty occupation, such as engineering, computer science, or medicine.
H-1B visas, which have a three-year residency limit, are for those with a college degree or comparable work experience who desire to work in a specialty occupation. You must have a work offer from a U.S. company for a position requiring specialized expertise, provide evidence of a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and your employer must demonstrate a dearth of suitable U.S. applicants for the position in order to be eligible. 65,000 H-1B visas are allowed per fiscal year. It may be prolonged for up to six years. Holders of H-1B visas can apply for a green card, but there might be significant delays. For temporary or seasonal workers in an agricultural or non-agricultural context, H-2A and H-2B visas are issued for up to a year. H-3 is for people who want to receive training in the US.
2. L-1 visas
These are issued to foreign nationals who work for a company that has operations in both the United States and abroad and who are being transferred to the United States to work in a managerial or executive capacity.
The L-1 visa is issued for a three-year initial duration and a maximum of seven additional years. Holders with an L-1A visa may apply for a green card under the EB-1 category, which shortens the wait time to one year. Holders with L-1B visas must undergo the lengthy Permanent Labor Certification process under the EB-2 category.
3. O-1 visas
These are issued to foreign nationals who have extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, athletics, or education and who are coming to the United States to work in their field of expertise.
4. I visas
These indefinite visas are for members of the press including reporters, film crews, and editors from foreign media outlets.
5. R visas
This is given to religious workers who belong to a religious denomination that is recognized as a nonprofit organization in the United States. They are employed either directly for that denomination or by a connected nonprofit.
6. TN visas
These are issued to Canadian and Mexican citizens who work in a specific list of professions under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Professionals are granted an initial stay of three years with an extension of three years.
Permanent Work Visa
The EB visa series, also known as Employment Based visas, are a group of visas that allow foreign workers to come to the United States to work in a specific occupation. There are five categories within the EB visa series: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5.
7. EB-1 visas:
are reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. To qualify for an EB-1 visa, an individual must be internationally recognized as being at the top of their field. They must have received a major award or recognition for their achievements.
8. EB-2 visas:
are for individuals who have advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in the arts, sciences, or business. To qualify for an EB-2 visa, an individual must have a bachelor’s degree and five years of work experience in their field or a master’s degree.
9. EB-3 visas:
are for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. To qualify for an EB-3 visa, an individual must have a job offer from a U.S. employer. They must be able to demonstrate that they have the necessary training, education, or work experience to perform the job.
10. EB-4 visas:
are for special immigrants, including religious workers, broadcasters, and certain employees of the U.S. government abroad.
11. EB-5 visas:
are for individuals who invest a significant amount of money in a new commercial enterprise in the United States. To qualify for an EB-5 visa, an individual must invest at least $1 million in a new business or $500,000 in a targeted employment area.
There you have it. 11 US you can apply for. It is important you carry out your research and figure out what path is best for you.
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