What kind of visa do i need to work in the usa

If you come to the U. The following are temporary work visas that will allow someone to work in the U. The H-1B visa is a popular nonimmigrant visa. In fact, more people want them than can get them, owing to annual caps on the supply in most cases. To obtain an H-1B visa, you must have an offer of employment from a U. Your proposed job position must be in a specialty occupation, which usually means that a bachelor's degree or higher is required to do the job. The U. Because this type of visa is in high demand, and many more people apply than can be granted visas each year, you and your employer might want an attorney to help you through the process.

The L-1 nonimmigrant visa is for employees working for a foreign company that is an affiliate of a U. L-1 employees are transferred from the foreign company branch to the U. Or, the L-1 employee can be transferred by the foreign company to the U. In either scenario, the L-1 employee must have worked for the foreign affiliate for one continuous year within the past three years immediately preceding entry into the United States.

If, for example, you want to enter the U. The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for people of extraordinary ability who are coming to the U. To obtain an O-1 visa, you must have an offer of employment from a U. To prove you are extraordinary, you must meet three of six prongs. The E-1 nonimmigrant visa allows nationals of certain countries to come to the U. You can obtain the E-1 visa as a treaty trader or a treaty investor.

You must be a national of a country that maintains a trade treaty with the U. Also, if you want to come as a treaty Investor, you will have to invest a substantial amount of money in a U. Typically, you apply for an E-1 visa at the U. Mexico Canada Agreement. Additional documents may be requested to establish if you are qualified. All visa applicants, except H-1B and L, will generally need to show proof of compelling ties to your home country to demonstrate your intent to return after your temporary stay in the United States.

Examples of compelling ties include:. During your visa interview, a consular officer will determine whether you are qualified to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate based on your purpose of travel. You will need to establish that you meet the requirements under U. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken as part of your application process.

They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location. After your visa interview, your application may require further administrative processing.

You will be informed by the consular officer if further processing is necessary for your application. When the visa is approved, you may pay a visa issuance fee if applicable to your nationality, and will be informed how your passport with visa will be returned to you.

Review the visa processing time , to learn how soon your passport with visa will generally be ready for pick-up or delivery by the courier. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. See Extend Your Stay on the U. You must depart the United States on or before the date indicated on your admission stamp or paper Form I, unless your request to extend your stay is approved by USCIS.

Failure to depart the United States on time will result in you being out of status. Under U. If you had a multiple-entry visa and it was voided due to you being out of status, it will not be valid for future entries into the United States. Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas you may apply for in the future.

While in the United States, you may be able to request that U. Requesting a change of status from USCIS while you are in the United States and before your authorized stay expires does not require that you apply for a new visa.

The approval of a petition does not guarantee that you will be issued a visa. Do not make final travel plans or buy tickets until you have a visa. Spouse and Children — With the exception of Cultural Exchange Visitor Q-1 visa applicants, your spouse and unmarried, minor children may also apply for the same visa category as you to accompany or join you.

You must be able to show that you will be able to financially support your family in the United States. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date.

Therefore, a valid U. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.

Review Visa Denials for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers. Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process please review How to Apply , above. Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver Program IWP which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.

Review the instructions on the website of the U. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to determine if the IWP is available and if you qualify. Yes, if you feel circumstances have changed regarding your application. Review Visa Denials to learn more. Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.

Review Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States as temporary workers; however, a temporary worker petition approved by USCIS is required. For more information see the U.

Embassy Ottawa website , the U. Consulate Hamilton website and the CBP website. Additional resources for Canadian temporary workers to the United States can be found on the U. Embassy Ottawa website in Canada. Embassy or Consulate Customer Service Statement. You are about to leave travel. Department of State. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.

Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel. Cancel GO. Skip to main content. Gov Travel.

An L-1A visa comes with a three-year duration; L-1B has only one year. O visas are for those with extraordinary and exceptional abilities or achievements, across industries. O visas are also extended to those who travel with the person of extraordinary ability or a family member.

These visas are for those who excel in performance, athletic, or artistic endeavors and the people who accompany these extraordinary performers. These are usually event-based durations. R visas are extended to non-immigrant religious workers who are members of a religious denomination that holds official non-profit status in the U.

This permits qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary entry into the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level, under the North American Free Trade Agreement. Those with the right job skills — and their spouses and children — can apply for the roughly , employment-based green cards available each year.

Permanent residence in the U. Most of these visas call for an existing offer of employment from an employer who has the proper U.

Department of Labor certification, verifying that there are both insufficient workers with this skillset within the United States, and the hiring does not take a job away from a U. There are five key types of employment-based visas:. This type of visa does not require labor certification. Family of EB-1 visa holders may apply for admission to the U. EB-2 visas are available to professionals holding an advanced degree or foreign equivalent; or who can prove at least ten years experience in a field; or those whose employment is in the national interest of the U.

For all but the third category of eligibility, labor certification must be obtained. Family of EB-2 visa holders may apply for admission to the U.

For each eligibility category within EB-3, labor certification must be obtained. Family of EB-3 visa holders may apply for admission to the U. Labor certification is waived for this type of visa. Some families may be eligible for admission. Learn more here. EB-5 visas cover the Immigrant Investor Program. These are available to people who make either an investment of 1. Under this program investors and their family are eligible to apply for green cards.

These visas cover three types of students: academic students, vocational students, and those enrolled in educational or cultural exchange programs. These are not immigrant visas.