H-1B
The H-1B is a temporary work visa for professionals employed in “specialty occupations,” meaning the role normally requires at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a specific field. Employers sponsor the visa, and it allows the professional to work in the U.S. for an initial period of up to three years, with the possibility of extension. H-1B status is commonly used across many professional industries and includes both cap subject and cap exempt filing options.
- Cap subject H-1Bs are limited by an annual numerical quota and require registration through the government’s annual lottery system before filing.
- Cap exempt H-1Bs may be filed at any time of year by qualifying employers—such as universities, nonprofit research organizations, and certain affiliated entities—and are not limited by the annual cap.
L-1
The L-1 visa is used for executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees of multinational entities. Multinational entities are those entities that have both an overseas and an American presence and have common ownership. Common ownership is generally defined as when an entity or a family of entities owns a majority of both the American and overseas companies.
- L-1A Multinational Managers or Executives must have worked in a managerial or executive capacity for at least one year abroad prior to filing their L-1A visa application.
- Executives are high-level employees with significant control over the direction and goals of the company as a whole.
- Managers include:
- Personnel managers–who have professional or managerial employees as their direct reports; and
- Functional managers–who manage an essential function of the business.
- L-1B visas are for employees with specialized knowledge. Specialized knowledge is generally defined as information and experience about a company’s products, services, research, techniques, or interests and their application to international markets that is unique to the L-1B applicant and difficult or impossible to quickly pass on to a U.S. worker.
TN/E-3/H-1B1
TN, E-3, and H-1B1 visas are specialty occupation classifications available under U.S. treaties with specific countries.
- TN visas are available to Canadian and Mexican nationals in designated occupations and allows streamlined entry without a traditional petition process.
- E-3 visas are exclusively for Australian nationals working in specialty occupations and offers flexible, renewable employment authorization similar to H-1B requirements.
- H-1B1 visas applies to nationals of Chile and Singapore, providing a quota-based option with reduced filing requirements compared to the H-1B.
All three visa types require a qualifying job offer and relevant academic credentials, making them popular alternatives to the standard H-1B program.
E-1/E-2
The E-1 (Treaty Trader) and E-2 (Treaty Investor) visas are temporary classifications available to nationals of countries that maintain qualifying treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States.
- E-1 visas allow individuals to enter the U.S. to engage in substantial international trade.
- E-2 visas allow individuals to enter the U.S. to develop and direct a business in which they have made a significant investment.
Applicants must demonstrate that the enterprise is bona fide, the investment or trade is real and ongoing, and that they will play an executive, supervisory, or essential role in the business.
B-1/B-2
The B visas (B-1/B-2) are temporary visas to visit the United States.
- B-1 visas are for business visitors, who enter the U.S. to conduct business that does not constitute employment. This can include participating in commercial transactions, negotiating contracts, attending meetings or conferences, or certain short-term trainings.
- B-2 visas are another temporary visitor visa typically used for tourist visits or receiving medical treatment in the US.
Applicants must prove that they have strong ties to their home country and have ample funds to complete their trip.
P/O
P Visas – Athletes, Entertainers & Culturally Unique Performers
P visas are temporary visas available to internationally recognized athletes, entertainment groups, and performers participating in culturally unique programs.
- P-1 visas cover internationally recognized athletes (P-1A) and established entertainment groups (P-1B).
- P-2 visas apply to artists and entertainers entering through a qualifying reciprocal exchange program.
- P-3 visas support performers who take part in culturally unique artistic, musical, or educational programs.
Each category also permits essential coaches, trainers, and touring personnel to accompany the principal under the P-1S, P-2S, or P-3S classifications.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability
O-1 visas are temporary visas available to individuals who have achieved extraordinary ability or distinction in their field. Applicants must show a record of major achievements—such as awards, critical recognition, national or international press, or other evidence of elite professional standing.
- O-1A visas are available to individuals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- O-1B visas are available to individuals with extraordinary achievement in motion pictures/TV.
Essential support staff may accompany the principal under the O-2 visa, and spouses or children may enter under O-3 status.
F-1 OPT
F-1 Optional Practical Training (or “OPT”) allows international students in F-1 status to work in the United States in a role directly related to their major area of study for up to 12 months after completing their academic program. OPT is recommended by the school’s Designated School Official (DSO) and authorized by USCIS, which issues an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) permitting work. Students in eligible STEM fields may also apply for an additional 24 month extension, allowing for a longer period of practical training.