H-1B Specialty Work Visa
The H-1B Visa is used by foreign professionals who are sponsored by a U.S. employer to work in a specialty occupation in the U.S. An H-1B visa is generally valid for three years and can be extended for an additional three-year period. An employer may sponsor an H-1B employee for a Green Card, if desired.
H-3 Trainee or Special Education Exchange Visa
The H3 trainee visa category is strictly intended for foreign nationals seeking on-the-job training provided by a U.S. company or a U.S. government agency in order to further their career in their home country. In order to be eligible for an H3 visa, similar training opportunities must not exist in the foreign national’s home country. This classification is not intended for employment within the United States. A foreign national is not eligible for this classification if they are coming to the United States for graduate education or training. If this is the case, J-1 and F-1 classifications may be more appropriate.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Worker Visa
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for foreign nationals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have demonstrated a record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and have been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements. O-1 visas require an employer sponsor – a foreign national cannot petition for an O-1 visa on his or her own behalf.
Typically, the O-1 employee will be admitted to the U.S. for the length of the project or event described in the petition, for a maximum of three (3) years. Once in the U.S., an O-1 employee may apply to extend his or her status in one (1) year increments.
