United States work visa

1. H-1B specialty occupation visa

   Visa needed

   Workers in professional jobs requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field, with that degree or equivalent education and experience. It also covers fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.

   Fee

   Most work visa applications cost US$205; some categories cost more.

   1. Your employer requests the relevant work category.
   2. After approval, apply for the visa and usually attend an interview.
   3. Travel with the visa and request admission at the border.

2. H-1B1 specialty occupation visa

   Visa needed

   Citizens of Chile or Singapore entering a specialty occupation.

   Passports that qualify (2)

   • Chile
   • Singapore

3. H-2A agricultural worker visa

   Visa needed

   Temporary or seasonal agricultural workers with eligible employers where U.S. workers are unavailable.

4. H-2B nonagricultural worker visa

   Visa needed

   Temporary or seasonal nonagricultural workers with eligible employers where U.S. workers are unavailable.

5. H-3 trainee visa

   Visa needed

   People seeking training unavailable in their home country, other than graduate medical training, or participating in a qualifying special education training exchange.

6. L-1 company transfer visa

   Visa needed

   Executives, managers or workers with specialised knowledge who worked for a related organisation abroad for at least one continuous year in the past three years.

7. TN professional status or visa

   Other permit

   Canadian or Mexican citizens with a bachelor's degree and a prearranged job in a profession on the relevant professional list.

   Passports that qualify (2)

   • Canada
   • Mexico

8. CW-1 Northern Mariana Islands transitional worker visa

   Visa needed

   Workers qualifying for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands transitional worker category.

9. I visa for foreign media

   Visa needed

   Foreign press, radio, film and print media representatives travelling to work temporarily in their profession.

10. Employment-based immigrant visas

    Visa needed

    Qualifying priority workers, advanced-degree professionals, people with exceptional ability, skilled workers, other workers and certain special immigrants.

    Stay

    Permanent residence

    Valid for

    After admission with an I-551 stamp, the immigrant visa is evidence of permanent residence for one year.

1. In most cases, your employer files an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for your work category.
2. If that application is approved, apply for the visa and usually attend an embassy or consulate interview.
3. If the visa is granted, travel to the United States.
4. Ask the border officer for admission in your approved category.

• Foreign passport

• Employer application approval is not a visa.
• A granted visa does not guarantee admission.
• Meet the requirements of your specific work category.
• H-1A and H-1C nursing visas are discontinued. Nurses currently apply under H-1B.
• Certain temporary categories allow an intention to apply for permanent residence at the same time.

Questions