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How to Work in the United States
As a foreign national, there are two basic ways to work legally
in the United States. One is through a Temporary Work Visa, which
allows you to work if you are eligible under one of several categories.
These visas are valid for limited and specific time periods.
The other means by which you may legally work in the United States
is by changing or adjusting status to permanent residency while
you are in the United States. Work permits are issued after approval
of an immigration petition by the USCIS and the subsequent submission
of the adjustment of status documentation. Work permits are often
issued well in advance of receiving the green card. If you are applying
for permanent residency from outside the U.S., your final stage,
called consular processing, will take place through the U.S. consulate
or embassy in your home country. If this applies, a work permit
is not issued prior to the approval of the green card.
Temporary Work Visas
- Specialty Occupations (H-1B)
For
Individuals who seek temporary entry into
the U.S. in a specialty occupation as a professional
- Exchange Visitors (J-1)
For
foreign students, scholars, experts, medical interns
and residents, and industrial and business trainees to
work in the U.S. in government approved exchange
visitor programs in order to do research, or gain
experience in their respective fields.
- Treaty Traders (E-1) and Treaty Investors
(E-2)
For
owners and key employees of businesses which
conduct a substantial volume of trade between the U.S.
and the home country and for those who invest a
substantial amount of capital in the U.S.
- Intracompany Transferees (L-1)
For
executives, managers or persons with specialized
knowledge who transfer to a U.S. branch, affiliate
or subsidiary of a foreign company.
- Extraordinary Ability Visas (O-1)
For
foreign nationals of extraordinary ability in the
sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics to
undertake a specific activity or event in the United
States.
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