Guide to U.S. Work Visa Types: Find the Right Visa for Your Career Goals

Every immigrant visa includes the right to work. So a green card gives you wide employment options. Some green cards are employment-based, meaning your job makes you eligible. Most of them require an employer to sponsor you. Employment-based categories include:

The EB-1 (first preference) category is for priority workers. It includes three subgroups: EB-1A (extraordinary ability), EB-1B (outstanding professors/researchers), and EB-1C (multinational executives/managers). Usually a U.S. employer must offer you a permanent job and file a petition. But if you qualify under EB-1A for extraordinary ability, you may self-sponsor. U.S. law caps about 40,000 EB-1 visas each year—plus country-specific limits.

The EB-2 (second preference) category suits professionals with an advanced degree or foreign nationals with exceptional ability in arts, science, or business. Usually you must have a certified labor certification from the Department of Labor. But you may qualify for a National Interest Waiver if you have exceptional ability and your U.S. employment would benefit the nation.

Nonimmigrant U.S. work visas are visas that grant a foreign national the right to temporarily visit the United States. A foreign national who enters the U.S. in nonimmigrant status is restricted to the activity or reason for which they were allowed entry. And once that purpose has been completed or the authorized stay expires (which comes first), the foreign national must depart the United States. For example, a B-2 visitor is authorized to visit for pleasure. The law does not authorize a B-2 visitor to enroll in a university and become a student. An F-1 student visa (and a few other types of visas) are for this purpose. The same goes for these employment visas:

The E-1 visa lets nationals of treaty countries engage in international trade in the U.S. The E-2 visa lets you qualify as a treaty investor. You must be a national of a country with a trade treaty with the U.S. You must also show you’re coming under that treaty to carry on substantial trade. For E-2, your investment must be substantial and in a real operating business with significant U.S. economic impact. A large passive bank account investment will not qualify.

The H-1B visa is in high demand. You must have a job offer from a U.S. employer in a specialty occupation—typically requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher. Your employer must sponsor you by filing Form I-129 and a labor condition application with USCIS. H-1Bs are employer-specific and don’t easily transfer. Only a limited number are issued each year. Many employers use immigration law firms to manage this process. Once approved, you can extend your visa for up to six years.

Large companies often use the L-1 visa to transfer executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge from a foreign branch into the U.S. The L-1 holder may be transferred temporarily or may help establish a U.S. presence. You must have worked for the foreign employer continuously for one year within the past three years. L-1 visas split into L-1A (managers/executives) and L-1B (specialized knowledge). Non-profits, religious and charitable organizations can also use L-1. Firms that regularly use L-1 employees can file a “blanket” petition to streamline transfers. The initial stay is three years and can be extended up to seven years.

The O-1 visa lets U.S. employers hire foreign nationals with extraordinary ability. O-1A covers science, education, business and athletics. O-1B covers the arts or extraordinary achievement in film or television. You may stay initially for up to three years and can extend in one-year increments.