Employment & Immigration Pathways

Learn about work and business options for citizens of countries that have a qualifying treaty with the U.S. in this overview of E-1 and E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas.

How to obtain a green card by investing in a U.S. business that creates American jobs and with no employer sponsor needed.

The H-1B is for working in a "specialty occupation" — a job requiring at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field and the application of highly specialized knowledge (e.g., engineers, computer scientists, and many others).

The B visa is for temporary visits for business (B-1) or pleasure (B-2) — with no U.S. employment or compensation allowed. For immigration purposes, "visitor" and "B-1/B-2" mean essentially the same thing.

How citizens of Canada and Mexico can work in the U.S. under the free-trade agreement.

A practical overview for employees being transferred to a U.S. office of a company they already work for.

The O-1 is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (and those with a record of extraordinary achievement in film/TV recognized nationally or internationally).

This guide covers the two paths most relevant to students, graduates, and academics: Extraordinary Ability (EB-1A) and Outstanding Professors and Researchers (EB-1B).

The most common employment green cards for graduates with a U.S. job offer, plus the National Interest Waiver, which can skip the job offer entirely.

Learn how a U.S. citizen or permanent resident can sponsor a spouse for lawful permanent residence in this overview of family-based green cards for spouses.

Your J-1 category is chosen by your sponsor based on your qualifications, role, activities, and length of stay. Here's how the academic and research categories compare.

The J-1 program is the U.S. Department of State's framework for international educational and cultural exchange. This overview explains what it is and how it's run, then links to the details.

Postdocs face choices that other scholars don't — especially J-1 vs H-1B and how those choices might affect a future green card. Here's what to weigh.

While holding J-1 visa status in the U.S., your activities must center on your program objectives, and most work opportunities will need your RO/ARO's prior written approval. Here's the framework, with real scenarios.