Non-Immigrant Visas

Temporary Work Visas

Anyone going to the United States with the intention of working there temporarily must obtain a nonimmigrant work visa. Persons entering the United States on a visitor or business visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are not permitted to work.

Unlike some countries, the United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment. In general, work visas are based on a specific offer of employment.

NOTE: A Business Visa (B1) allows holders to conduct a business trip, such as taking orders or meeting with vendors.  It does not allow you to operate a business in the United States.  Operating a business and earning an income in the United States requires one of the work visas listed below. 

The most common categories of nonimmigrant work visas are listed below:

Temporary Work Visa (H)

Required by an alien who is to perform a prearranged professional or highly skilled job for a temporary period, or to fill a temporary position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers, or receive training from an employer. The employment or training must be approved in advance by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. Read more…

Intra-company Transferee Visa (L-1)

Required by an alien who is being transferred by his current employer to a specific executive or technical job with the same firm, or subsidiary thereof, in the United States. The employment must be approved in advance by the USCIS in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. Read more...

Treaty Trader/Investor Visas (E -1 and E-2)

Required by a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who wishes to go to the United States: to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country; or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested; or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital, may qualify for a nonimmigrant Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor visa.