Temporary work visas are for foreign citizens who want to enter the United States for employment that will last for a fixed period of time. Work visas require the prospective employer to file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and get the approval from both before applying for a visa.

Temporary worker visa categories

• H-1B : This is issued to people who work in a specialty occupation.
• H-1B1 : Issued to people who wish to work in a specialty occupation. Requires a post-secondary degree involving at least four years of study in the field of specialization.
• H-2A: For temporary or seasonal agricultural work. Limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, with limited exceptions, if determined to be in the United States interest.
• H-3: To receive training, other than graduate medical or academic, that is not available in the trainee’s home country or practical training programs in the education of children with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
• L: To work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current employer in a managerial or executive capacity, or in a position requiring specialized knowledge.
• O: For persons with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or extraordinary recognized achievements in the motion picture and television fields, demonstrated by sustained national or international acclaim, to work in their field of expertise.
• P-1: To perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete or as a member of an entertainment group
• P-2: For artists or entertainers (Individual or Group)
• P-3: To perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique or a traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation.
• Q-1: For practical training and employment and for sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of your home country through participation in an international cultural exchange program.