🇺🇸 Pathways by country

Work and stay in United States

Seven routes beyond the H-1B lottery

The H-1B lottery is the best known route into the U.S. workforce, but it is only one of many. Students, researchers, founders and specialists all have options that do not depend on a random draw each March.

Main work visa: H-1B (lottery, cap 85,000/yr)
Lottery-free options: O-1, L-1, cap-exempt H-1B, EB-2 NIW
Student work: OPT 12 months, +24 months STEM OPT
Green card routes: EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-2/EB-3 PERM

Visa pathways in United States

7 routes, what each one requires, and where it leads.

O-1A / O-1B Visa

Full guide

For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, business, education, athletics (O-1A) or the arts and film (O-1B).

Who it's for

Researchers, engineers, founders, designers and artists with a record of recognition.

Duration

Up to 3 years, renewable in 1-year increments indefinitely

Work rights

Employer or agent sponsored, no annual cap or lottery

Path to residence

Natural bridge to EB-1A or EB-2 NIW

Requires evidence in at least 3 of 8 USCIS criteria
No degree requirement
Premium processing available (15 calendar days)

EB-2 NIW

Full guide

A green card category where you self-petition by showing your work is in the national interest of the United States.

Who it's for

Advanced-degree holders and people with exceptional ability in their field.

Duration

Permanent residence

Work rights

No employer or job offer required

Path to residence

This is the green card itself

No PERM labor certification needed
Judged on the Dhanasar three-prong test
Priority date backlogs apply for India and China

Day-1 CPT

Full guide

Curricular Practical Training authorised from the first day of a graduate programme at certain accredited universities.

Who it's for

Students who need to keep working while studying, often after OPT ends.

Duration

Length of the programme, renewed each term

Work rights

Work must be integral to the curriculum and authorised by the DSO

Path to residence

Maintains status while pursuing H-1B, O-1 or NIW

Choose accredited institutions with genuine integral-CPT programmes
12+ months of full-time CPT removes OPT eligibility for that level

Cap-Exempt H-1B

Full guide

H-1B sponsorship outside the annual lottery through universities, affiliated nonprofits and research organisations.

Who it's for

Academics, clinicians, researchers and staff at qualifying institutions.

Duration

3 years, extendable to 6+

Work rights

Can be filed any time of year, no cap

Path to residence

Employer-sponsored PERM or EB-2 NIW

Concurrent private employment possible once cap-exempt H-1B is held
No March registration window

L-1A / L-1B Visa

Full guide

Intracompany transfer for managers, executives (L-1A) and specialised knowledge staff (L-1B).

Who it's for

Employees who spent 1 of the last 3 years at a related company abroad.

Duration

L-1A up to 7 years, L-1B up to 5 years

Work rights

Tied to the sponsoring multinational employer

Path to residence

L-1A maps closely to the EB-1C green card

No lottery
New office L-1 available for U.S. expansion
Spouse (L-2) can work

STEM OPT Extension

Full guide

A 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for eligible STEM degree holders.

Who it's for

F-1 students with a qualifying STEM degree working for an E-Verify employer.

Duration

12 months OPT + 24 months STEM OPT = 36 months

Work rights

Employment must relate to the degree, Form I-983 training plan required

Path to residence

Buys time for up to three H-1B lotteries or an O-1 / NIW filing

Employer must be enrolled in E-Verify
Cap-gap protection while an H-1B is pending

Founder Pathways

Full guide

Building a company in the U.S. through O-1A, E-2 treaty investor, International Entrepreneur Parole or a properly structured H-1B.

Who it's for

International founders with traction, funding or a treaty-country passport.

Duration

Varies by route (E-2 renewable indefinitely)

Work rights

Work for your own company when governance is structured correctly

Path to residence

EB-1A or EB-2 NIW once the venture shows impact

Your startup can sponsor you if a board or third party controls your employment
IEP requires qualified U.S. investment of $311,071+

Getting to permanent residence

Most U.S. permanent residence runs through employment categories: EB-1A and EB-2 NIW allow self-petition, while EB-2/EB-3 need an employer and PERM labor certification. Country-of-birth backlogs are the single biggest timing factor.

H-1B registration opens each March for an October start.
Maintaining status matters more than any single filing - never let a gap open.

Not sure which route fits your profile?

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Salary thresholds, fees and processing rules change frequently. Figures are indicative and for educational purposes only, not legal advice - always confirm with the official government source or a licensed adviser.