5 Ways to Work in the United States
People are often surprised to learn that there are many different ways to lawfully work in the United States.
In this guide, I’m going to explain 5 different ways that someone can legally work in the U.S.
If you have any questions, feel free to call us at +1-818-741-1117 or you may schedule a free consultation here.
1. Job Offer From a U.S. Company
There are many different types of work visas for people that have a job offer from a U.S. company.
Here are just a few:
H1B Visa: The H1B visa is one of the most common non-immigrant visas for people will a job offer to work in the U.S. This visa allows someone to work in the U.S. in a “specialty occupation.” To qualify for an H1B visa, your employer must file a petition on your behalf.
TN Visa: The TN Visa is for citizens of Canada and Mexico. This nonimmigrant visa allows someone to work in the U.S. based on having a qualifying job offer from a U.S. employer. The job must be one of the jobs listed on the TN job list.
L1 Visa: The L1 visa is for intracompany transferees. This visa allows a foreign company to transfer a manager, executive, or specialized knowledge worker to a related U.S. company. The company in the U.S. must have a qualifying relationship with the foreign company (such as parent/subsidiary, branch office, affiliate).
E3 Visa: The E3 visa is for citizens of Australia. This visa is very similar to the H1B visa.
2. Starting a Business in the U.S.
Another way to work in the U.S. legally is by starting a business in the U.S. There are multiple visas available for people to start a U.S. business.
Here are a few:
E2 Visa: The E2 visa is a great non-immigrant visa for investors and entrepreneurs to start a business in the U.S. Through the E2 visa, someone can live in the U.S. and direct their business based on making a substantial investment in a U.S. business. To qualify for an E2 visa, you may either invest in a new business or purchase an existing business.
E1 Visa: The E1 visa is for people who engage in “substantial trade” between their country of citizenship and the United States.
L1 Visa: The L1 visa, mentioned above, is a powerful option to start a new business in the U.S. Someone may potentially qualify for an L1 visa by working for a “new office” in the U.S.
3. Extraordinary Ability
The United States also has visa categories for people who excel in their particular industry.
O1 Visa: The O1 visa is a special non-immigrant visa which allows certain highly skilled people to work in the United States in their area of extraordinary ability. To qualify for an O1 visa, you must show that you have an extraordinary ability. You do this by showing evidence of awards received, publications, membership in organizations, high remuneration, etc.
4. Student Visa
People in the U.S. on a student visa may potentially also be eligible to legally work in some cases.
F1 Visa: The F1 visa is also commonly known as the student visa. Through the F1 visa, someone may potentially qualify to work through CPT (Curricular Practical Training) or OPT (Optional Practical Training).
M1 Visa: The M1 visa is also a student visa for non-academic or vocational studies. There are certain types of work authorization potentially available under this visa as well.
J1 Visa: The J1 visa is for various uses (exchange visitor, trainee, intern, etc.) Through the J1 visa, there are potential avenues for work authorization.
5. Religious Workers
The U.S. also has options for religious workers to work in the U.S.
R1 Visa: The R1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows certain religious workers to work in the United States (such as rabbis, ministers, etc.)
Conclusion
You should now have a better understanding of some of the different ways that you can legally work in the United States.
It is important to note that there are many different ways to work in the United States. In this article, we have just scratched the surface of the different work visas that are available in the U.S.
If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at +1-818-741-1117 or you may schedule a free consultation by clicking here.
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Michael Ashoori, Esq.
U.S. Immigration Lawyer
I’m a U.S. immigration lawyer and I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States.
Since starting my law firm, I’ve helped hundreds of people from all over the world with their immigration needs. I’m very passionate, hard-working, and committed to my clients.
Got a question? Send me an email.