Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others) gives you a clear, fast plan to get work in the USA and move toward a green card. You’ll learn which visa fits you, how to find visa sponsorship jobs, what employers must do, and how to go from temporary work to permanent status. Get the key documents you need, the timeline to watch, and practical tips to keep your status safe. Read the steps, use the checklist, and take control of your move.
Find which visa fits you: Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others)
You want clarity fast. Think of visas like tools in a toolbox: H-1B fits specialty jobs like tech or engineering, L-1 moves you inside a company from abroad, O-1 rewards standout artists or scientists, and EB categories aim for green cards. Pick the tool that fits the job and your long-term plan.
Start by checking job requirements and who must sponsor you. For H-1B and EB-3, an employer files on your behalf and often needs a Labor Condition Application or PERM labor certification first. For L-1, your company must prove a qualifying relationship and prior work for the employer abroad. For O-1, you gather proof you’re better than most in your field. Each route has timelines, fees, and limits — knowing them saves months.
Plan like a runner in a relay race: your employer, your documents, and government forms must pass the baton smoothly. If you aim for a green card, EB-3 or EB-2 could be the lane you run in, but wait times vary by country and category. Start early, keep copies, and expect some back-and-forth.
US work visas guide: What H-1B, L-1 intracompany transfer and O-1 extraordinary ability mean for you
H-1B is for specialty occupations that require a degree or equivalent experience. If you’re an engineer, programmer, or analyst, your employer files an H-1B petition and an approved Labor Condition Application. There’s an annual cap and usually a lottery, so timing matters — plan applications months ahead and keep backup options.
L-1 lets you transfer into a U.S. office from a related foreign company after at least one year of qualifying work abroad. L-1A suits managers and executives; L-1B fits specialized-knowledge workers. O-1 requires proof of extraordinary ability via awards, major projects, press, or expert letters. If you stand out, O-1 can be faster and more flexible than H-1B.
Who can apply for EB-3 and other employment-based green card options
EB-3 covers:
- Skilled workers with at least two years’ experience,
- Professionals with a U.S. bachelor’s degree or foreign equivalent,
- Unskilled workers for jobs requiring less than two years’ training.
Your employer must file PERM and an immigrant petition for you; wait times depend on country caps and priority dates. Other employment-based options include EB-1 for top researchers, executives, and people with extraordinary ability, and EB-2 for advanced-degree holders or those with exceptional ability. Some EB-2 applicants may qualify for a National Interest Waiver to skip employer sponsorship.
Key documents to prove your eligibility
Gather:
- Passport, photos, and ID documents
- Job offer letter and detailed employer letters
- Academic degrees and transcripts
- Resumes, publications, awards (especially for O-1)
- Pay stubs and tax records
- Labor certifications (LCA or PERM), organizational charts (L-1)
- Completed government forms like I-129 or I-140 and proof of legal status if in the U.S.
Keep originals and clean copies ready to speed the process.
Land visa sponsorship jobs in the USA: Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others)
If you want a U.S. job that will sponsor your visa, this Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others) cuts through the noise and shows which visas match your profile and job goals. H-1B covers specialty roles needing a bachelor’s degree or higher. EB-3 can lead to a green card but wait times vary a lot by country. Other options like L-1, O-1, TN, E-3, and H-2B fit managers, extraordinary talent, NAFTA professionals, Australian professionals, or temporary roles. Employers balance cost, paperwork, and timing — make sponsoring easy for them.
How you find and target visa sponsorship jobs USA
- Use LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and company career pages. Search terms like visa sponsorship or H-1B sponsorship.
- Check employer H-1B/EB-3 sponsor lists and Glassdoor reviews for hiring practices.
- Apply to multinational companies and large consultancies that regularly hire foreign talent.
- Network: reach out to alumni, past managers, and recruiters with short, clear messages showing what you do and why you fit the role. A single referral can shorten the process.
What employers do: H-1B visa process and petition steps you should know
When an employer sponsors H-1B:
- Confirm the role is a specialty occupation.
- File a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor to attest pay and work conditions (1–2 weeks).
- If cap-subject, register the candidate in the H-1B lottery during the registration window (usually March).
- If selected, file Form I-129 with USCIS, attach the approved LCA, degree/experience evidence, and pay filing fees. Employers may use premium processing for speed.
You must provide documents quickly — diplomas, transcripts, and proof of prior work — so the employer can move the petition forward.
US work visa application timeline and steps to track
Track key milestones:
- Job offer and employer decision
- LCA approval (1–2 weeks)
- H-1B registration window (usually March) and lottery results (March–April)
- I-129 petition filing and USCIS processing (2–6 months; 15 days with premium)
- Consular processing or change of status, visa stamping, and entry (H-1B cap cases begin Oct 1)
- For EB-3, expect much longer waits due to priority dates and country backlogs
Use your USCIS case number to check status and keep copies of every document and receipt.
Move from temporary work to a green card: Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others)
To move from temporary work to permanent residency, know the big steps: get sponsored by an employer, file a labor certification (PERM) if required, submit an I-140 immigrant petition, and wait for your priority date to be current before filing for adjustment of status (I-485) or using consular processing. Timing matters; some jobs move fast, others slow. Keep records of priority dates, PERM audit risks, and I-140 timing.
If you’re on H-1B, advantages include dual intent, portability, and possible extensions past six years if an employer files on your behalf. Backlogs for certain countries can be long, so early action and careful documentation are essential.
How you go from H-1B to an employment-based green card like EB-3
Typical route:
- Employer conducts PERM labor certification — test the U.S. job market with notices and recruitment.
- Once PERM is approved, employer files Form I-140 for EB-3 (or another EB category).
- Your priority date starts on the PERM filing date and determines when you can file for a green card.
You can keep working while maintaining valid H-1B status. If your I-140 is pending for 365 days, you may get H-1B extensions beyond six years. Portability rules allow changing employers if the new employer files a new petition and the pending I-485 is properly supported. Retrogression affects some countries — preserve your priority date if petitions change.
Short and special routes: TN, E-3, and H-2B
- TN (Canadians and Mexicans): Quick and flexible for certain professions but nonimmigrant intent can complicate direct green card pursuit. Many TN holders change to H-1B for clearer dual intent.
- E-3 (Australians): Similar to H-1B in practice but limited to Australians; easy to renew. Consider switching to an immigrant-capable status before green card steps.
- H-2B: For short-term nonagricultural work, tightly limited and seasonal. Not a direct green card route; employers must often switch workers to H-1B or EB-3 when possible.
Smart switching and timing improve outcomes in all these categories.
Practical tips to speed transfers and keep your status safe
- Keep a clear paper trail: notices, paystubs, and employer correspondence.
- Start PERM early and prepare recruitment evidence carefully.
- Use premium processing for I-140 when appropriate.
- Track your priority date and H-1B recapture of unused time.
- Avoid employment gaps and off-the-books work.
- Check travel plans before adjustment or consular processing.
- Consult an experienced immigration attorney before major moves to avoid timing mistakes.
Why this matters: the Complete Guide to US Work Visas (H-1B, EB-3 and Others) is meant to help you pick the right path, prepare the right documents, and work with employers so you can move from temporary status to a green card as efficiently as possible.
Good luck plan early, keep records tidy, and use this guide to make each step predictable.
