The US still has the biggest economy in the world, and many people want to come to the country to work. There are several types of US work visa options for people who want to get a job in the United States. Which is best for you depends on your situation, type of job, and other factors.
Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas
These work visas allow entrants to work in the US for a defined period. In most cases, the employer files a petition with USCIS and before coming to the county, the worker still has to apply for the visa. Within the temporary, non-immigrant visa category, there are many different types of workers with their own categories of visas. Some of the most common temporary non-immigrant visas are:
- H-1B: For college-educated professionals in specific fields, often technical.
- H-2A and H-2B: For seasonal temporary workers in agricultural or non-agriculture work.
- H-3: For those who want training in anything except medical school, or training for people who need special education.
- I: I visas are intended for people in the foreign press, such as film crews, editors, and reporters.
- L: L visas are for people who are transferring temporarily in a company where they are already employed.
- O: O visas are for people with high and exceptional abilities and achievements.
- P: P visas are for people who are highly skilled in athletic, artistic, or performance endeavors and those who come with them.
- R: R visas are given to religious workers who are not immigrating and are coming to the US to work for their religious organization or a related non-profit.
Permanent (Immigrant) Workers
People with the correct job skills, as well as their families, can apply for one of the 140,000 job-based green cards that are available annually. Permanent residence in the US allows you to work, and you can get it with the right mix of expertise, education, skill set and eligibility. Most of these immigrant visas require an employment offer from a company that is certified by the Department of Labor that verifies there are not enough workers in the US with these skills. This is known as labor certification and is accomplished with ETA Form 9089.
There are five kinds of visas based on employment:
- EB-1: For those with extraordinary abilities, such as scientists, business professionals, academics, and athletes. Labor certification is not required.
- EB-2: For professionals with an advanced degree or can prove they have at least 10 years of experience in a field. For most fields, labor certification is required.
- EB-3: For those with a bachelor’s degree and also skilled and unskilled workers who have been offered employment in the US. Labor certification is required.
- EB-4: For certain religious workers, retired workers from international organizations, and noncitizen minors. Labor certification is not required.
- EB-5: For immigrant investors who invest at least $1.8 million in a new business that employees at least 10 full-time workers.
Student And Exchange Visas
These worker visas are intended for academic students, vocational students, and students who are in cultural exchange or educational programs. These are non-immigrant visas.
- F-1: For students who are enrolled at colleges and universities. Students can work as long as they are enrolled full time, but students cannot work during the first year in school.
- F-2: Available for the student’s family, such as spouse and children.
- F-3: Available for Mexican or Canadian students who need to commute.
- M: M visas are for students an nonacademic and vocational schools besides language training programs that require an F visa.
- J: J visas are for those who are involved in study-based and work-study programs, such as interns, au pairs, camp counsellors, and trainees. The program have to encourage cultural exchange and applicants must be able to speak English.
Types of US Work Visas For Employment Conclusion
It is clear there are many US visas that allow you to work in the country, but deciding which you need can be challenging. Speak to one of our attorneys today for complimentary advice about the best visa for your situation and needs.
Please contact us today if you need assistance with obtaining a visa or green card to enter the US.
U.S. Work Visas FAQs
What type of work visas are there in US?
For foreign nationals who desire to work in the United States, there are numerous types of work visas available. Temporary worker or nonimmigrant visas, permanent residency visas (green cards), seasonal work visas, and exchange worker visas are examples of these.
The H-1B visa for specialty occupations is one of the most popular temporary worker visas. This visa is accessible to foreign nationals who work in specialized professions such as computer science or engineering. Temporary worker visas often allow employees to work in the United States for a specified employer.
There are five employment-based immigrant visa preferences, often known as categories, for permanent residency. Unless a visa is not necessary for people from your country of nationality, you must apply for a visa through the United States Department of State (DOS).
Seasonal work visas and exchange worker visas are two other alternatives for persons looking for temporary or short-term work in the United States.
Aside from the H-1B visa, different temporary worker or nonimmigrant visas are available for various sorts of employment in the United States. Some examples are:
L-1 visa: This visa is for intra-company transferees who work in managerial or executive roles or have specialized knowledge and are being transferred to a branch or affiliate of their existing firm in the United States.
O-1 visa: Individuals with remarkable skill or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or those with a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television sector, are eligible for the O-1 visa.
H-2A visa: This visa is intended for temporary agricultural workers from specific nations who qualify.
H-2B visa: The H-2B visa is for temporary non-agricultural employees, often for seasonal work or in cases when there is a labor shortage in certain industries in the United States.
E-1 and E-2 visas: E-1 and E-2 visas are for treaty traders and investors from countries with which the United States has a commerce and navigation treaty. Individuals with E-1 visas engage in major trade between their home country and the United States, whereas investors with E-2 visas make a significant investment in a U.S. enterprise.
J-1 visa: The J-1 visa is an exchange visitor program that allows people to come to the United States to participate in cultural exchange programs, internships, training, and other educational opportunities.
TN visa: This visa is only available to Canadian and Mexican citizens as part of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The TN visa allows professionals from these countries to work in specific occupations in the United States.
These are just a few of the different types of work visas available in the United States. Each visa category has its own set of requirements, qualifying criteria, and application procedures. Prospective applicants must conduct study and comprehend the precise visa category that best meets their needs and qualifications.
Which visa is the best for US to work?
The “best” visa for working in the United States is determined by your unique circumstances, credentials, and employment ambitions. Each visa type has its own set of eligibility criteria and conditions, and what is optimal for one person may not be good for another.
Consider the following aspects when deciding whether visa is ideal for you:
Your line of work: An H-1B visa may be the best option if you work in a specialty occupation, such as computer science or engineering.
Your current employment situation: If you are being transferred inside your firm to a branch in the United States, the L-1 visa may be the best option. If you are a Canadian or Mexican professional, the TN visa may be the best option under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Your abilities and achievements: If you have exceptional talent or achievement in your industry, the O-1 visa may be an appropriate option for you.
E-1 or E-2 visas may be the best option if you want to invest in a US firm or engage in substantial trade between your home country and the US.
Temporary or seasonal work: The H-2A visa is for temporary agricultural work, whereas the H-2B visa is for temporary non-agricultural work.
Cultural exchange or educational possibilities: If you want to engage in cultural exchange programs, internships, training, or other educational opportunities, the J-1 visa may be the ideal alternative.
Finally, the ideal visa for you will be determined by your unique position and requirements. To establish the most appropriate visa category for your unique circumstances, it is critical to explore the various visa alternatives and speak with an immigration attorney or specialist.
Who is eligible for H-1B visa?
The H-1B visa is a temporary worker visa for those in specialty jobs, and eligibility is determined by a number of factors. Applicants must meet the following requirements to be eligible for an H-1B visa:
1. Have a job offer from a U.S. business for a position that needs at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in a comparable profession.
2. Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in the specialized field connected to the employment, or equivalent work experience. Three years of meaningful job experience is often comparable to one year of college study.
3. The proposed position must be a specialty occupation, which often needs specialized knowledge and abilities in subjects such as computer science, engineering, mathematics, finance, or other occupations requiring at least a bachelor’s degree.
4. The employer must acquire a Labor Condition Application (LCA) from the United States Department of Labor, which certifies that the company will pay the prevailing wage for the position and follow particular working conditions.
5. The employer must file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the applicant.
It is vital to understand that the quantity of H-1B visas given each year is limited. The ordinary H-1B visa ceiling is presently set at 65,000, with an additional 20,000 visas available for candidates with a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. educational institution.
Because of the enormous demand for H-1B visas, when the number of applicants surpasses the cap, a lottery system is implemented. In these circumstances, the USCIS uses a random selection mechanism to determine which petitions will be handled.
What are the 4 types of visas?
Based on the purpose of travel, visa types can be broadly classified into four major groups:
Immigrant visas are issued to people who plan to dwell permanently in the destination country. In the United States, immigrant visas are sometimes known as “green cards.” Immigrant visas are classified into three types: family-sponsored visas, employment-based visas, and diversity visas.
Non-immigrant visas are issued for short-term visits in the destination country. These visas are valid for a variety of activities, including tourism, business, job, study, and medical treatment. Non-immigrant visas in the United States include the B-1 (business visitor), B-2 (tourist), F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation), and J-1 (exchange visitor).
Transit visas are provided to people who need to pass through a country on their way to their final destination. These visas normally have a short validity period and do not allow the passenger to work or study in the transit nation.
E-visas and Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) are digital travel authorizations that can be requested online. E-visas and ETAs are frequently used in place of traditional visa stamps in passports, simplifying the visa application procedure and shortening processing time. The procedures and qualifying criteria for e-visas and ETAs differ based on the destination country and the nationality of the traveler.
It is important to note that these categories only provide a general overview of visa kinds; exact visa categories, requirements, and application procedures may differ by nation. For accurate and up-to-date information on visa requirements and procedures, travelers should consult the website of the destination country’s consulate or embassy.