What Are My Work Visa USA Options for 2024?

The H-1B Visa is designed for individuals who possess specialized knowledge and/or a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. It is commonly used by technology companies to hire foreign workers with specialized skills in areas such as computer programming, engineering, and other technical fields.

How to get a Work Visa in the USA: H-1B Visa Requirements

To qualify for an H-1B Visa, individuals must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and the employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor (DOL). The LCA must demonstrate that the foreign worker will be paid at least the same wage as a U.S. worker in the same occupation and that the employment will not adversely affect the working conditions of U.S. workers. The employer must also prove that the position requires specialized knowledge and that the foreign worker is the best candidate for the job.

The H-1B Visa allows individuals to work in the United States for up to three years, with the possibility of an extension for an additional three years. After this period, individuals must leave the country for a year before they are eligible to apply for another H-1B Visa.

L-1 Visa

The L-1 Visa is designed for individuals who are transferred to the United States by their foreign employer to work in a subsidiary, parent, affiliate, or branch office of the same company. The L-1 Visa is commonly used by companies to transfer executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees to their U.S. operations.

To qualify for an L-1 Visa, individuals must have been employed by the foreign company for at least one year in the three years preceding the application and must be coming to the United States to work in a managerial or executive capacity, or to work in a position that requires specialized knowledge. The L-1 Visa allows individuals to work in the United States for up to seven years for L-1A (executives and managers) and five years for L-1B (specialized knowledge employees).

E-3 Visa

The E-3 Visa is a specialty occupation Visa that is only available to citizens of Australia. It is similar to the H-1B Visa and is designed for individuals who possess specialized knowledge and/or a bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field. In order to qualify for an E-3 Visa, individuals must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and the employer must submit a Labor Condition Application (LCA) to the Department of Labor (DOL).

The LCA must demonstrate that the foreign worker will be paid at least the same wage as a U.S. worker in the same occupation and that the employment will not adversely affect the working conditions of U.S. workers.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

Another option for obtaining a work Visa in the USA is through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. This program allows foreign investors to obtain a green card by investing a minimum of $500,000 in a qualified business that creates or preserves at least 10 jobs for U.S. workers. The EB-5 program has been very successful in attracting foreign investment to the United States and creating jobs for U.S. workers.

H Visa

In addition to these options, there are also several other types of work visas that may be available in 2023, depending on an individual’s qualifications and the specific needs of U.S. employers. These include the H-2B Visa for seasonal workers, the H-2A Visa for agricultural workers, and the H-3 Visa for trainees.

Exceptions

The H-1B Visa has a few exceptions that applicants should be aware of. For example, certain non-profit organizations and government research organizations are exempt from the annual cap on H-1B visas. Additionally, individuals who have earned a master’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be eligible for a “master’s cap,” which is separate from the general H-1B cap.

Another exception to the H-1B Visa is that certain individuals may be eligible for a “cap-exempt” H-1B Visa. This includes individuals who are currently in H-1B status and are seeking to change employers, individuals who have previously held H-1B status and have not been outside the United States for more than one year, and certain individuals working at universities and affiliated non-profit organizations.

The L-1 Visa has an exception known as the L-1 Blanket Petition. This allows companies that frequently transfer employees to the United States to file a single L-1 petition for multiple employees, rather than having to file a separate petition for each employee. To qualify for the L-1 Blanket Petition, the company must have an established office in the United States for at least one year and must have at least three employees in the United States.

The E-3 Visa has a cap of 10,500 per fiscal year, which is lower than the H-1B Visa. Additionally, the E-3 Visa does not allow for dual intent, which means that E-3 Visa holders cannot apply for a green card while in the U.S. under this Visa.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program has a few exceptions, and regional centers are available that allow foreign investors to invest in a pre-approved commercial enterprise or regional center, rather than having to create their own business. Additionally, certain Targeted Employment Area (TEA) projects may require a lower investment amount of $900,000.

Applicants to a work Visa in the USA with Different Citizenships

The citizenship of an applicant can affect their eligibility for certain work Visa options in the United States. For example, the H-1B Visa is subject to an annual cap, and certain countries such as India and China have a higher demand for these visas, leading to a greater chance of the cap being reached quickly for citizens of those countries. As a result, citizens of those countries may face longer processing times and a greater chance of their application being denied.

The E-3 Visa is only available to citizens of Australia, and as such, individuals from other countries are not eligible to apply for this Visa.

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is open to citizens of all countries, but some countries may have a higher demand for EB-5 visas, leading to longer processing times. Additionally, some countries may have a higher rate of fraud, which can lead to increased scrutiny and difficulty in obtaining an EB-5 Visa.

The L-1 Visa is open to citizens of all countries, but citizens of countries that are subject to Presidential Proclamations or Executive Orders may face additional restrictions or delays in obtaining an L-1 Visa.