International Workers in the US: Which Visa Do You Qualify For?

According to reports issued by the United States Department of Labor in September 2025, the unemployment rate stood at 4.3%. In the same month, the second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 3.8%, and investment banking firm Goldman Sachs estimated that work productivity would grow by 2% through 2027. These figures showcase a robust American labor market bolstered by over 30 million foreign-born workers.

With abundant opportunities across many sectors, the U.S. is one of the most attractive business markets for foreign job seekers. To this effect, the State Department and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services manage various visa programs focused on employment, business, and entrepreneurship.

Immigrants who intend to live in the U.S. are granted work permits after visa approval; for example, a foreign K-1 visa holder married to an American citizen can get an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) upon arrival. Once conditional or permanent green cards are issued, immigrants no longer need EADs to work in the U.S. Most employment and business visas fall under the non-immigrant category, which can be temporary or permanent. Let’s review the major work visa classifications:

H-1B

This visa program for skilled workers is commonly associated with the technology sector, but it also includes subclassifications for other skills like fashion modeling. The H-1B application process must be initiated by American employers as sponsors, and it is often handled by immigration law firms.

H-2

Seasonal migrant workers in the agricultural sector work under the H-2A visa program, which is invariably temporary. The non-agricultural H-2B visa is for non-agricultural temporary workers, and it requires a foreign labor certification before approval.

E-1 and E-2

To get these visas, foreign applicants must be from countries that hold business and commercial treaties with the U.S. E-1 visas are for employees, while E-2 visas are for investors who want to develop business under specific treaty provisions.

TN

Formerly known as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) visa, this program is for Canadian and Mexican citizens who have pre-arranged job offers from American companies operating under the new United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

L-1

This special visa is for employees of American companies who work in overseas offices; in other words, it facilitates the intra-company transfer process. There must be a qualifying business relationship between the U.S. employer and the affiliate, branch office, parent company, or subsidiary.

B-1

Although this is not an employment-based visa, it allows foreigners to conduct business in the U.S. as long as the income is generated abroad. For example, a real estate investor can enter with a B-1 visa to negotiate an office building acquisition, transfer the title overseas, designate an American property manager, and lease it.

O-1 and EB Preferences

The O-1 visa is for foreigners who demonstrate extraordinary ability in the artistic, athletic, business, education, and scientific fields. For example, Argentinian midfielder Lionel Messi, who is widely considered to be the best soccer player of the current century, is authorized to play with Inter Miami of Major League Soccer under an O-1A visa.

The EB-1 through EB-3 preference visa programs feature an application process similar to non-immigrant temporary classifications, but they have a specific path to obtaining a green card for permanent residence. EB-1 visa applicants can petition themselves without employer sponsorship, but they must demonstrate extraordinary abilities. The EB-2 visa is for exceptional ability foreigners who have job or research offers from American companies or institutions. The EB-3 visa is for university graduates who have active job offers; moreover, they must obtain a permanent labor certification.

EB-5

This program is for wealthy foreigners who intend to make a million-dollar business investment in the U.S. or establish an enterprise with $800,000 that would generate at least 10 job openings in a targeted employment area, typically communities with higher unemployment rates.