Country guide · United States
Working in the USA: H-1B and employer-sponsored visas
The US has a complex and often lottery-dependent visa system. It's still one of the highest-paying markets in the world — but international candidates need a realistic process map before applying.
Last updated July 28, 2026
Quick facts
Main employer route
H-1B (specialty occupations)
H-1B lottery?
Yes — annual registration; high competition
Alternative routes
O-1, L-1, TN (Canadians/Mexicans), others
Employer requirement
Prevailing wage + USCIS petition
H-1B numerical cap
Regular + advanced-degree exemption — confirm USCIS
Path to green card?
Possible via employer-sponsored categories — not automatic
The H-1B lottery — what you need to know
The H-1B is a common visa for specialty occupation workers (typically requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field). Demand usually exceeds the annual numerical allocations, so many new cap-subject petitions depend on a registration lottery before a full petition is filed.
If selected, your employer still must file and win approval — selection is not a visa. If not selected, you typically wait for a later season unless another status or category is available. That uncertainty is why serious candidates map alternatives early.
Companies that regularly sponsor H-1Bs are often larger tech, consulting, research, and financial institutions with counsel on retainer. Smaller employers may struggle with cost and timing — ask directly whether this requisition will support a petition.
Do not treat H-1B as the only US answer
Ask which classification the employer actually intends for your profile. ‘We sponsor visas’ without a category is not a plan.
Alternative visa routes worth knowing
Partner directory — execution layer