
- H-1B specialty occupation. This is the most popular type of work visa in the U.S. ...
- L-1 visa. This type of nonimmigrant visa is for employees who work for foreign businesses that are affiliated with U.S. companies.
- O-1 visa. This nonimmigrant visa is for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. ...
- E-1 visa. This type of visa allows people from certain countries to visit the U.S. to carry on trade activities.
- TN visa. The TN work visa was created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). ...
- Australian professional specialty visa. This visa applies only to foreign nationals from Australia, their spouses and any children who are under the age of 21.
- Seasonal agricultural work visas. Seasonal agricultural worker visas (H2-A) are available for foreign workers who want to come to the U.S. ...
Visa Classification | Definition |
---|---|
F-1 | Foreign academic student, when certain conditions are met |
H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3 | Temporary worker |
I | Foreign information media representative |
J-1 | Exchange visitor, when certain conditions are met |
What visa do I need to work in the USA?
- U.S. Green Card Holder
- Exchange Visitor Visa
- Temporary Work Visas (Non-Agricultural)
- Temporary Worker Visas (Skilled Workers)
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas
Is it easy to get a work visa in the USA?
Obtaining a US Work Visa
- Have a job offer from a US-based employer. Before you even start the process of a work visa application, you need to have had a concrete offer from a US-based ...
- An approved petition by the USCIS. ...
- There are some types of visas that require additional approval from the Department of Labour (DoL). ...
How do you get a work visa for the US?
- A valid passport for more than 6 months after your stay in the US is completed
- The DS-160 confirmation page
- One US Visa photograph
- Receipts that prove you have paid your fees
- A letter from your employer which states you have a job in the US with the following details: The occupation in which you will work Job description Contract length Educational ...
How to obtain a work visa in the United States?
You will need to submit six supporting documents with your Form I-765 to get a Work Permit:
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A copy of your current U.S. ...
- A copy of your original Form I-94 travel record (front and back), or a printout of your electronic I-94, from your most recent entry into the U.S. ...
- Copies of any of your previous work permits (front and back)

What is a work visa for the USA?
There is no general work visa for the United States of America. However, companies or their foreign employees who wish to work in the United States can obtain a variety of U.S. work visas.
How to get a work visa?
Traditionally, the U.S. employer needs to submit a petition to the U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services USCIS in the first place. In order to get a work visa, the form I-129 is used before applying at the U.S. consulate. If the petition is successful, the aaproval notice I-797 from the USCIS must be presented in the next step to start the consular processing. The work visa application is filed at the responsible U.S. consulate, where the employee must complete a personal visa interview. Find out more about how to apply for a U.S. visa.
What is visa waiver program?
The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of certain countries visa-free entry with ESTA.
How long does it take to get a work visa?
consulate takes several months. For this reason, it is advisable to deal with the work visa issue as early as possible.
What is an e-visa?
The E-Visa is a work visa category, which entitles the holder to take up full employment, regardless of whether the employee will undertake several business trips or a long-term assignment in the United States. In order to use this popular category, there must be a valid e-registration of the U.S. company or group of companies at the relevant U.S. consulate. Companies that have an e-registration with the responsible U.S. consulate can send or deploy employees to the United States on this basis in a simplified manner.
How many different visa categories are there?
The U.S. authorities differentiate between more than 40 different visa categories. What type of visa suits you?
What is an I journalist visa?
The I-journalist visa is suitable for employees in the field, press, media or broadcasting. The basic prerequisite is that the purpose of the stay is to report on events in the United States in a documentary manner.
What is a work visa?
A work visa is a type of employment permit that gives someone permission to take a job in a different country. An employee may need an employment visa as well as an additional work permit that allows them to pursue a career in a specific country.
How many types of work visas are there?
Here is an overview of 10 different types of work visas, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas:
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
This nonimmigrant visa is for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. To demonstrate that they are extraordinary at their job, they need to be able to show that they're at the top of their field and known nationally or internationally for their achievements.
What are the criteria for an immigrant visa?
These include awards, membership in associations, a high salary, publications about you or your work, publication in scholarly journals, original contributions to your field, exhibitions of your work and judging the work of others, among other criteria.
How long do you have to work for a foreign company to get a visa?
In order for the employee to qualify, they need to have worked for the foreign company for one continuous year within a three-year period prior to entering the U.S. It's important to note that there are two categories for this type of visa: L-1A and L-1B.
What is the age limit for a visa to Australia?
This visa applies only to foreign nationals from Australia, their spouses and any children who are under the age of 21. The applicant must be going to the U.S. to work within a specialty occupation. There are a limited number of these visas issued each year, although the spouse and children of the applicant do not count toward that number. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent, have a special skill set that's required to fill a specialty position and have a job offer from a U.S. company.
What is a visa for a foreigner?
A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.
What form do I need to file for a temporary worker visa?
Some temporary worker visa categories require your prospective employer to obtain a labor certification or other approval from the Department of Labor on your behalf before filing the Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, with USCIS. Your prospective employer should review the Instructions for Form I-129 on the USCIS website to determine whether labor certification is required for you.
What form do I need to bring for an L visa?
L Visa Applicants – If you are included in an L blanket petition, you must bring Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, to your interview.
What is the purpose of a visa interview?
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.S. law to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
What form do I need to schedule an interview?
You will need to provide the receipt number that is printed on your approved Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129, or Notice of Action, Form I-797, to schedule an interview.
What happens if you try to get a visa?
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.
How to get a work visa in the US?
A foreign national who seeks to enter the US on a work visa must obtain a US visa stamp from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, which is placed on the applicant’s passport . The US visa allows the foreign national to travel to a US port of entry, airport or land border crossing and request permission to enter the US. While the US visa does not guarantee entry to the US, it does indicate that a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined that the foreign is eligible to seek entry into the US for a specific purpose.
What are the different types of work visas?
There are many types of US work visa, each suited for a specific purpose of travel and/or nature of employment. The most common types are: 1 H-1B Visa for Specialty Occupations workers 2 H-1B1 Visa for Specialty Occupations workers from Chile or Singapore 3 H-2A Visa for Temporary Agricultural workers 4 H-2B Visa for Temporary Non-agricultural workers 5 E-1 Visa for Treaty Traders 6 E-2 Visa for Treaty Investors 7 E-3 Visa for Specialty Occupation workers from Australia 8 TN Visa for NAFTA professional workers from Canada and Mexico 9 P Visa for Athletes, Artists, Entertainers 10 Visa for Extraordinary Artists, Teachers, Scientists and Businesspersons 11 J visa for Exchange Visitors 12 R Visa for Religious workers
How to apply for a work permit?
Employment Authorization Document (Work Permit) is applied for by using USCIS Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The application is submitted, together with supporting documentation, to the office with jurisdiction over the category that you qualify for. This could include one of the USCIS Service Centers, the National Benefits Center, or in some cases with the US State Department (who will then forward the application to the USCIS).
What is a temporary visa?
A temporary US work visa allows an individual to enter the US to take up employment as opposed to, for example, a US visitor visa, which is issued for the purpose of visiting the US.
What form do I need to file to get a work permit?
In order to obtain the work permit, the eligible foreign national must file the Form I-765 with USCIS while present in the U.S.
Do you need an EAD for a work visa?
are authorized to work incident to their status. That means they are authorized to work because they hold the particular work visa status and do not need a separate EAD or work permit.
Can Susan work in the US?
Susan’s visa does not allow her to just start working in the US. However, as an E-2 dependent spouse of an E-2 employee, she is eligible for a work permit. She will have to apply for and receive the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) before she can work.
