Nonimmigrant Visas

Temporary Work Visas

Explore all major US nonimmigrant work visa categories, from H-1B specialty occupations to O-1 extraordinary ability, L-1 intracompany transfers, and more.

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Major Work Visa Categories

H-1B

Specialty Occupations

For professionals in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Covers STEM, finance, architecture, healthcare, and more.

Bachelor's degree or equivalent required
Initial 3-year period, extendable to 6 years
Annual cap-subject lottery (regular + advanced degree)
Dual intent, may pursue green card while on H-1B
Common pathway to EB-2 or EB-3 green card

L-1A / L-1B

Intracompany Transferees

For employees transferred from a foreign affiliate to a US entity. L-1A for managers/executives; L-1B for specialized knowledge workers.

Must have worked abroad 1 year in last 3 years
L-1A: managers/executives, up to 7 years total
L-1B: specialized knowledge, up to 5 years total
Dual intent, no cap
L-1A is a strong pathway to EB-1C green card

O-1

Extraordinary Ability

For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Similar to EB-1A criteria but temporary status.

Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
Initial 3-year period, unlimited 1-year extensions
No annual cap
Dual intent
Strong pathway to EB-1A or EB-2 NIW green card

USMCA Professionals

For Canadian and Mexican citizens who are professionals listed in the USMCA (formerly NAFTA) schedule of qualifying occupations.

Available only to Canadian and Mexican citizens
Initial 3-year period, renewable indefinitely
Must work in a USMCA-listed occupation
No annual cap, no lottery
No dual intent, not a direct green card pathway

E-1 / E-2

Treaty Traders & Investors

For nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty with the United States. E-1 for substantial trade; E-2 for investment in a US enterprise.

Must be a national of a treaty country
Initial 2-year period, renewable indefinitely
E-1: substantial trade in goods/services between treaty country and US
E-2: substantial investment in a bona fide US enterprise
Renewable indefinitely; no direct green card pathway for E-2

R-1

Religious Workers (Temporary)

For ministers and other religious workers coming to the US temporarily to work for a qualifying nonprofit religious organization.

Initial 30-month period, extendable to 5 years total
Must have been member of denomination for 2+ years
Full-time religious work required
Pathway to EB-4 permanent religious worker visa
Petitioned by US religious organization (Form I-129)

H-2A / H-2B

Seasonal Workers

For temporary agricultural (H-2A) and non-agricultural (H-2B) seasonal workers when US workers are unavailable.

H-2A: agricultural, unlimited visas, no cap
H-2B: non-agricultural, subject to 66,000 annual cap
Initial 1-year period, extendable up to 3 years
Employer must obtain DOL labor certification
Typically from H-2A/H-2B designated countries

J-1

Exchange Visitors

For participants in exchange visitor programs: researchers, scholars, trainees, teachers, students, au pairs, and more.

Multiple program categories (research scholar, trainee, teacher, student, etc.)
Duration varies by program category
Some J-1 holders subject to 2-year home residence requirement
2-year bar can be waived in some circumstances
Sponsored by DOS-designated exchange visitor programs

Transition Pathways to Green Card

Many temporary work visas are stepping stones to permanent residence. Here are the most common pathways:

Temporary Visa	Green Card Category	Notes
H-1B	EB-2 / EB-3	Most common green card pathway for specialty occupation workers
L-1A	EB-1C	Direct pathway for multinational managers and executives
O-1	EB-1A	Extraordinary ability temporary to permanent residency
R-1	EB-4	Religious worker temporary to special immigrant permanent

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