USA WORK VISAS

H1B Visa – Skilled Professionals

The H1B visa is for individuals with specialized knowledge and a minimum of a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). It’s commonly used by tech, finance, healthcare, and engineering companies.

• Issued for up to 3 years (extendable to 6 years)
• Employer-sponsored
• Annual cap of 85,000 visas (including 20,000 for master's degree holders)
• Can lead to Green Card through employment sponsorship

L1 Visa – Intra-Company Transfers

The L1 visa allows multinational companies to transfer employees from an overseas office to a U.S. office. It’s ideal for managers, executives (L1A), or employees with specialized knowledge (L1B).

• L1A valid up to 7 years; L1B up to 5 years
• No annual quota – processed year-round
• Spouse can apply for work authorization (L2 visa)
• Can transition to permanent residency

Other U.S. Work Visa Categories

• O1 Visa: Individuals with extraordinary ability in arts, sciences, education, or athletics
• TN Visa: Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA
• H2B Visa: Temporary non-agricultural workers
• E2 Visa: For investors from treaty countries

Eligibility & Requirements

• Valid job offer from a U.S. employer
• Relevant qualifications and experience
• Labor Condition Application (LCA) approval for H1B
• Proof of intra-company relationship for L1
• Academic credentials (transcripts, degree evaluations)
• Passport and previous visa history

Application Process & Timelines

• H1B: Lottery (April), if selected – petition filing and USCIS approval (start date: Oct 1)
• L1: File Form I-129, USCIS processing (15–60 days or faster with premium processing)
• Visa stamping at U.S. embassy/consulate

Costs & Processing Fees

H1B Filing Fee: Paid by employer (ranges $1,710 – $6,460 depending on company size)

L1 Filing Fee: $460 base + $500 fraud prevention + optional $2,500 premium processing