If you’ve been dreaming of working in the United States, there are a number of different paths you can take depending upon your qualifications and your background. The following is a list and brief description of some of the various nonimmigrant visas that can allow foreign workers to seek employment in the USA.
Nonimmigrant USA Work Visas
| Visa | Description |
| B-1 Temporary Business Visitor | Allows foreign visitors to participate in limited business activities of a commercial/professional nature in the US. |
| CW-1 Transitional Worker | Allows employers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to seek permission to employ aliens who are not otherwise eligible under other categories. |
| E-1 Treaty Trader | Allows nationals of countries the US shares treaty agreements with to be admitted to the US to engage in international trade. |
| E-2 Treaty Investor | Allows nationals of countries the US shares treaty agreements with to be admitted to the US when investing substantial capital in a US business. |
| E-3 Specialty Worker from Australia | Allows nationals from Australia to be admitted to the US for highly specialized occupations. |
| F-1 OPT Participant | Allows F-1 visa holders to participate in Optional Practical Training for up to 12 to 36 months. |
| H-1B Specialty Occupation Worker | Allows nationals to be admitted to the US to work in specialty occupations. |
| H-2A Agricultural Worker | Allows certain employers to bring foreign workers into the US temporarily for agricultural positions. |
| H-2B Non-Agricultural Worker | Allows certain employers to bring foreign workers into the US temporarily for for non-agricultural positions. |
| H-3A Nonimmigrant Trainee or Exchange Visitor | Allows noncitizens to be temporarily admitted to the US for specialized training not available in their country. |
| I Representative of Foreign Media | Allows certain representatives of foreign media outlets to enter the US for professional work. |
| J-1 Exchange Visitor | Allows nonimmigrants to participate in work or study-based exchange visitor programs. |
| L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive/Manager | Allows US employers to transfer executives/managers from affiliated foreign offices to US offices. |
| L-1B Intracompany Transferee Specialized Knowledge | Allows US employers to transfer employees with specialized knowledge from affiliated foreign offices to US offices. |
| O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement | For foreign nationals with demonstrated extraordinary ability in arts, science, athletics, or education. |
| P-1A Athlete | Allows athletes to enter the US specifically to perform in an athletic competition. |
| P-1B Member of Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group | For members of internationally recognized entertainment groups performing in the US. |
| P-2 Performer or Group Under Reciprocal Exchange Program | For artists entering the US through a government-recognized reciprocal exchange program. |
| P-3 Artist or Entertainer as Part of a Culturally Unique Program | For temporary performance, teaching, or coaching under a program that is culturally unique. |
| Q-1 Cultural Exchange Participant | For participants in international cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of Homeland Security. |
| R-1 Nonimmigrant Religious Worker | Allows those in religious vocations to enter the US temporarily for religious work. |
| TN NAFTA Professionals | Allows qualified Canadian and Mexican citizens to seek temporary admittance to the US for business activities. |
