Work Visas

Come to the United States to work legally. Whether you are starting a new job or transferring from another country, we help you and your employer get the right visa the first time.

U.S. Work Visa Options and How to Pick the Right One for Your Situation

The United States offers several types of temporary work visas for foreign nationals who want to live and work here for a set period of time. Each visa category has its own rules, its own requirements, and its own limits on how long you can stay. Picking the wrong visa category wastes time and money and can hurt your chances of getting approved. Working with a U.S. work visa lawyer in Arlington, VA helps you and your employer choose the right path from the beginning.

The most well-known work visa is the H-1B for specialty occupation workers, but it is not the only option. Depending on your job, your skills, your nationality, and whether you are transferring within the same company, you may qualify for a different visa that is faster or easier to get. An experienced immigration attorney Arlington will look at your full background and match you to the visa category that fits your situation best.

Comprehensive Work Visa Services

The right visa for you depends on your job, your employer, and your immigration goals. Justin works with these common work visa categories:

H-1B for specialty occupation workers in fields like technology, finance, and engineering
L-1A and L-1B for managers and specialized workers transferring within the same company
O-1 for people with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field
TN visa for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA trade agreement
E-3 visa for Australian citizens working in specialty occupations
H-2B for seasonal non-agricultural workers in industries like hospitality and landscaping

Important Note: Most work visas require your U.S. employer to sponsor you and file the petition on your behalf. If your employer has never sponsored a visa before, they may not know what their responsibilities are. Justin works directly with employers to explain the process and keep the filing on track so your start date is not delayed.

How the Work Visa Application Process Works

Getting a U.S. work visa involves cooperation between you and your employer. Here is the typical process from start to finish:

1

Identify The Right Visa Category

The first step is to check the job offer, your education, and your past travel history. This helps find the exact visa type that fits your situation.

2

Prepare The Employer Petition

The official application forms must be filled out. All paperwork and documents that your boss needs to send to the government are collected during this step.

3

File with USCIS

Your employer sends the application packet to the government along with the required fees. The delivery is tracked to make sure the government gets the file.

4

Wait For USCIS Approval

The government looks over the application. They will approve it, deny it, or ask for more proof. This wait usually lasts for a few months.

5

Apply For The Visa Stamp

Once the application is approved, you sign up for a visa interview at a U.S. embassy in your home country to get the visa stamp.

6

Enter the United States and Begin Work

After the embassy gives you the visa stamp, you can travel to the country and start your new job within the dates on your paperwork.

Extending or Changing Your Work Visa Status

Extending Before Your Visa Expires

Most work visas are approved for an initial period with options to extend. Your employer must file an extension petition before your current status expires. Working even one day past your authorized stay can create serious immigration problems.

Changing Employers on an H-1B

H-1B holders can change jobs if the new employer files an H-1B transfer petition. You can start working for the new employer once the transfer is filed, without waiting for final approval. Justin handles H-1B transfers quickly to protect your employment timeline.

Changing Visa Categories

If your situation changes, for example if you receive an extraordinary ability credential or become eligible for a different visa type, Justin can help you change from one work visa category to another without leaving the country.

Planning Toward a Green Card

Many work visa holders want to stay in the United States permanently. Justin maps out a long-term plan that connects your current work visa status to an employment-based green card so you do not have gaps in your legal status.

Employer Sponsorship and Business Visa Options

Employers who want to hire talented workers from outside the United States need to understand their legal responsibilities as petitioners. Filing an incorrect petition, missing a required wage determination, or skipping a step in the process can result in a denial or a government audit. Justin works with businesses of all sizes in Virginia and across the country to help them sponsor work visas correctly and stay in compliance with U.S. immigration law.

For business owners and investors who want to come to the United States themselves, there are visa options like the E-2 treaty investor visa and the L-1 intracompany transfer visa that may fit your goals. These visas are separate from employment-based petitions and have their own rules. Justin explains every available path during your consultation so you can make an informed decision about the best way to move to the U.S. for business.

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
L-1 Intracompany Transfer Visa
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
TN Visa for Canadians and Mexicans
Work Visa Extensions and Transfers
Employer Compliance and Sponsorship

Your Attorney

Working Directly With Justin

Justin Kadich handles every work visa case at American Dream Immigration personally. Work visa petitions involve technical legal standards and detailed government rules that change regularly. A simple error in the job description, the wage category, or the supporting documentation can lead to a Request for Evidence or a denial that sets your employment back by months. Justin reviews every document before it goes to USCIS and builds a petition that answers the government’s questions before they are even asked. You will speak directly with Justin at every step, not a staff member managing your file from a checklist.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common work visa for skilled workers?

The H-1B visa is the most commonly used work visa for skilled foreign professionals. It is available for jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. H-1B visas are subject to an annual cap, and most new H-1B petitions must go through a lottery. Justin explains how the lottery works and what your options are if you are not selected.

Can I change jobs while I am on a work visa?

It depends on your visa category. H-1B holders can change employers if the new employer files a transfer petition. L-1 visa holders must work for the company that sponsored them. O-1 holders need a new petition for a new employer. Justin advises you on exactly what your visa allows before you make any job changes.

How long can I stay in the U.S. on a work visa?

Each visa type has its own time limits. H-1B visas are typically approved for three years at a time and can be extended up to six years, with possible extensions beyond that if a green card is pending. Other visa categories have different timelines. Justin tracks your status dates and files renewals on time.

Can my family come with me on a work visa?

Most work visas allow your spouse and children under 21 to come to the United States with you on a dependent visa. In some cases, your spouse may also be eligible to apply for a work permit. Justin includes your family in the planning from the start.

What is the difference between a work visa and a work permit?

A work visa allows you to enter the United States for employment purposes. A work permit, also called an EAD, gives someone who is already in the U.S. the right to work legally. They serve different purposes depending on where you are in the immigration process.

Start Your U.S. Work Visa Process Today

Getting the right work visa opens the door to a career in the United States and puts you on a path toward long-term stability. Justin Kadich helps workers and employers in Arlington and across Virginia navigate the work visa process from the first petition to the final approval. Book a consultation with Justin to review your job offer, confirm your visa category, and build a strong petition that gives you the best chance of approval.