Getting a Temporary Work Visa for the USA

In the United States, there are several types of visas that allow foreigners to legally enter the country, and remain for an extended, but still temporary, period of time, for the purpose of working in the private sector.

These are known as Temporary Work Visas. If you wish to work in the U.S. legally, you need a specific visa that applies to the purpose of your visit to the U.S., and the line of work that you're in.

LegalMatch Law Library Managing Editor, , Attorney at Law

The H-1B Temporary Visa

The most common types of employment-based visas in the U.S. are the H-1B visa and the H-2A visa. The H-1B visa is for workers who are in specialty occupations which require the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge and education. So, any job which requires an extraordinary amount of education and/or training probably qualifies for an H-1B visa. Read more


Alabama Work Visa Lawyers

Show Alabama Cities

Alaska Work Visa Lawyers

Show Alaska Cities

Arizona Work Visa Lawyers

Show Arizona Cities

Arkansas Work Visa Lawyers

Show Arkansas Cities

California Work Visa Lawyers

Show California Cities

Colorado Work Visa Lawyers

Show Colorado Cities

Connecticut Work Visa Lawyers

Show Connecticut Cities

Delaware Work Visa Lawyers

Show Delaware Cities

Florida Work Visa Lawyers

Show Florida Cities

Georgia Work Visa Lawyers

Show Georgia Cities

Hawaii Work Visa Lawyers

Show Hawaii Cities

Idaho Work Visa Lawyers

Show Idaho Cities

Illinis Work Visa Lawyers

Show Illinis Cities

Indiana Work Visa Lawyers

Show Indiana Cities

Iowa Work Visa Lawyers

Show Iowa Cities

Kansas Work Visa Lawyers

Show Kansas Cities

Kentucky Work Visa Lawyers

Show Kentucky Cities

Louisiana Work Visa Lawyers

Show Louisiana Cities

Maine Work Visa Lawyers

Show Maine Cities

Maryland Work Visa Lawyers

Show Maryland Cities

Massachusetts Work Visa Lawyers

Show Massachusetts Cities

Michigan Work Visa Lawyers

Show Michigan Cities

Minnesota Work Visa Lawyers

Show Minnesota Cities

Mississippi Work Visa Lawyers

Show Mississippi Cities

Missouri Work Visa Lawyers

Show Missouri Cities

Montana Work Visa Lawyers

Show Montana Cities

Nebraska Work Visa Lawyers

Show Nebraska Cities

Nevada Work Visa Lawyers

Show Nevada Cities

New Hampshire Work Visa Lawyers

Show New Hampshire Cities

New Jersey Work Visa Lawyers

Show New Jersey Cities

New Mexico Work Visa Lawyers

Show New Mexico Cities

New York Work Visa Lawyers

Show New York Cities

North Carolina Work Visa Lawyers

Show North Carolina Cities

North Dakota Work Visa Lawyers

Show North Dakota Cities

Ohio Work Visa Lawyers

Show Ohio Cities

Oklahoma Work Visa Lawyers

Show Oklahoma Cities

Oregon Work Visa Lawyers

Show Oregon Cities

Pennsylvania Work Visa Lawyers

Show Pennsylvania Cities

Rhode Island Work Visa Lawyers

Show Rhode Island Cities

South Carolina Work Visa Lawyers

Show South Carolina Cities

South Dakota Work Visa Lawyers

Show South Dakota Cities

Tennessee Work Visa Lawyers

Show Tennessee Cities

Texas Work Visa Lawyers

Show Texas Cities

Utah Work Visa Lawyers

Show Utah Cities

Virginia Work Visa Lawyers

Show Virginia Cities

Vermont Work Visa Lawyers

Show Vermont Cities

Washington Work Visa Lawyers

Show Washington Cities

Wisconsin Work Visa Lawyers

Show Wisconsin Cities

West Virginia Work Visa Lawyers

Show West Virginia Cities

Wyoming Work Visa Lawyers

Show Wyoming Cities


The H-2A Temporary Visa

The H-2A visa, on the other hand, is for seasonal agricultural workers. The H-2B visa is for temporary seasonal workers who are in non-agricultural fields.

Getting a temporary work visa can be quite a process. First of all, you must have an employer who's willing to sponsor you, and fill out the appropriate paperwork in the U.S. They have to file a petition on your behalf, in which they certify to the U.S. authorities that you are the most qualified person who is willing to do the job, and that hiring you will therefore not displace an equally-qualified American worker.

Employers, needless to say, should have retained a immigration attorney well before beginning this process. Obtaining an employment-based visa requires significant cooperation and effort on the part of the would-be employer. You should check the website of the relevant immigration authorities to determine how many employment visas are being issued this year, and when applications are accepted. Every year, the U.S. government receives far more petitions for employment-based visas than the number of such visas it makes available. Usually, all of the year's available employment visas are issued within 24 hours of opening to applications.

For that reason, you should have all of the documents necessary for applying for an employment-based visa ready well before the first day applications are being accepted for that year. This goes for both employees and their sponsoring employers.

An attorney who specializes in immigration can help you on this front, ensuring that all of the necessary documents are filled out perfectly before they are filed.

Find the Right Lawyer Now

[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Need an Immigration Lawyer?

No obligation - Lawyers compete for your case. Choose your issue & get started now: