Work visas

Most work visas are petitions by an employer, not applications by the worker. The right category depends on the job, the worker's education and the employer, and several have yearly caps, lotteries or new fees that change the timing.

Who this is for

• Employers hiring a foreign professional
• Workers changing employers or extending status
• Professionals with extraordinary ability (O-1, EB-1)

How a case usually goes

1. Category review for the job and the person
2. Labor condition application or PERM where required
3. Petition to USCIS, with premium processing where it is offered
4. Visa stamping abroad or a change of status here

Documents to gather

• Passport and current visa
• Degree and transcripts, with an evaluation if earned abroad
• Resume and letters from past employers
• The job offer and job description
• Current I-94 and pay stubs for a change of employer
• For employers: business registration and financial records

Watch out for

The $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions is not being collected while a court order stands; see the policy tracker.

General information, not legal advice. Every case depends on its own facts. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.