What is a US Work Visa? Do I Qualify?

Living and working in the United States, whether temporarily or permanently, is a dream shared by many people around the world. Here, we explain what a US Work Visa is, who can apply for one, common requirements, and the types of work visa (temporary and permanent) we specialize in Employer Sponsorship

Both Permanent and Temporary Work Visas require you to have a job offer on hand from an American employer. The employer must also be willing to sponsor your Visa application (i.e., file the visa application on your behalf). Employers are often required to obtain a labor certification declaring that the act of hiring a foreign worker is not causing a US citizen of permanent resident to be displaced. More information for temporary and permanent labor certification requirements are included in the Code of Federal Regulations.

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Temporary Work Visa

A Temporary Work Visa allows you to legally work in the United States for a specific time period, which varies from 1 to 3 years depending on the type of visa. The Temporary Work Visa can only be renewed a limited amount of times, after which, in most cases, you must return to your home country. Applications for US Temporary Work Visas may be submitted any time of year, although some types of visas are processed and granted during a specific time each year (see H-1B visa below.)

Cifuentes Marrero, P.A. Specializes in Work Visas

At Cifuentes Marrero P.A., we’ve helped hundreds of professionals obtain Temporary Work Visas to work at companies in Miami and elsewhere in the US. Please review the following types of visas you may be able to qualify for.

If You Are One of the Following:
A worker in a specialty (theoretical/technical) occupation involving science, engineering, computer programming, or similar
You May Qualify For

H1B

Visas available annually

65,000 + 20,000 for master’s degree or higher degree holders*

A manager or executive at an international company that has an office in the United States
You May Qualify For

L-1A

Visas available annually

No annual limit

A specialized employee at an international company that has an office in the United States
You May Qualify For

L-1B

Visas available annually

No annual limit

A person of extraordinary ability and recognition in science, art, education, business, athletics, motion picture or TV production.
You May Qualify For

O

Visas available annually

No annual limit

A professional worker who is a citizen of a NAFTA country (Mexico or Canada)
You May Qualify For

TN

Visas available annually

No annual limit

*H-1B application period starts April 1st of each year, with visas granted October 1st of the same year.  Additional visas are allocated annually for citizens of Chile and Singapore

Permanent Work Visa

Employment-Based Green Card
If you would like to move to the United States permanently, there is a limited number (currently 140,000/year including immigrants and their families) of permanent work visas, also known as employment-based green cards or immigrant visas, available every year. Unlike Temporary Work Visas, employment based green cards are automatically renewed indefinitely. After 5 years of legal residence in the United States with an employment based green card, it possible to apply for US citizenship.

Below we outline the qualifying factors for employment based (EB) green cards. 

If You Are A…
Person of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professor or researcher; or a multinational executive or manager
You May Qualify For

EB-1

Visas available annually

40,000

A manager or executive at an international company that has an office in the United States
You May Qualify For

L-1A

Visas available annually

No annual limit

A specialized employee at an international company that has an office in the United States
You May Qualify For

L-1B

Visas available annually

No annual limit

A specialized employee at an international company that has an office in the United States
You May Qualify For

L-1B

Visas available annually

No annual limit

Dependent Visas for Direct Family Members

If you are married and/or have children, both the Temporary Work Visas and the Permanent Work Visas generally allow you to add dependents (spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) to your visa petition so they can move with you to the United States. However, while spouses of Permanent Work Visa (Green Card) holders are allowed to work, spouses of Temporary Work Visa holders are generally not allowed to work. For more information, please see our Dependent Visa page.

Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

Whether you are a job seeker or employer, navigating the complexities, requirements, frequent backlogs, and constant changes of the United States immigration system isn’t easy. When you work with Cifuentes Marrero, P.A., you get a dedicated immigration legal team that works to understand your short- and long-term plans, provides customized advice, and is by your side all the way until successful resolution.

Click below to set up an appointment with our dedicated immigration lawyers.

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As a businessman they have provided my company with knowledgeable and very valuable advice. We have worked with them since 2016 and we are very pleased with the results.

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Fully recommended. Excellent immigration attorney firm. Maria and her team took care of my process from H1B all the way to my green card. Thanks guys, you´re the best.

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Maria and her Team have immense understanding of the Immigration process, anyone can rely upon them for immigration issues without doubt