Business Immigration Sponsorship
Business-sponsored immigration options in the United States allow employers to sponsor foreign nationals for temporary or permanent work visas, enabling them to fill essential roles within their organizations.
Temporary Options
H-1B Visa
Designed for foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. Employers must demonstrate that the position requires a bachelor’s degree or higher and that the candidate possesses such qualifications. The H-1B visa is initially granted for up to three years and can be extended for a total of six years. In most cases the initial H-1B is subject to annual cap and lottery which is drawn each year on April 1st.
L-1 Visa
Available for intracompany transferees who work in managerial/executive positions or have specialized knowledge. It allows multinational companies to transfer employees from an overseas office to an office in the U.S. The L-1A visa is for managers and executives, valid for up to seven years, while the L-1B visa is for employees with specialized knowledge, valid for up to five years. This can also be a great option for an entrepreneur seeking to expand a business to the US.
O-1 Visa
Issued to individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics. The O-1 visa is granted based on evidence of sustained national or international acclaim and allows holders to work in their area of extraordinary ability.
E-1/E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
For nationals of countries with which the U.S. has a treaty of commerce and navigation, the E-2 visa allows investors to direct and develop the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested/trade a substantial amount. This visa is generally issued for five years and can be renewed indefinitely.
Permanent Residence
EB-1 Visa
Priority Workers visa category, which includes individuals with extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors and researchers (EB-1B), and multinational executives and managers (EB-1C). Applicants can self-petition or be sponsored by an employer and are not required to go through the labor certification process.
EB-2 Visa
For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. The EB-2 visa often requires a labor certification and a job offer unless the applicant qualifies for a National Interest Waiver (NIW), which allows them to bypass the job offer requirement by proving their work is in the national interest.
EB-3 Visa
For skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. The EB-3 visa requires a labor certification and a permanent, full-time job offer. Skilled workers must have at least two years of job experience or training, professionals must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, and other workers can perform unskilled labor that requires less than two years of training or experience.