Work Visas & Employment Green Cards
U.S. work visa pathways for professionals, corporate transferees, and specialty occupation workers. Each pathway is built for a different employment situation — with the right sponsor and strategy.
EB-2 / EB-3
Permanent Residency
L-1
Corporate Transfer
H-1B
Specialty Occupation
12–18 mo
PERM Processing
Before You Begin
Which situation matches yours?
Ready for permanent residency through my U.S. employer
Employer willing to sponsor a multi-year green card process through PERM labor certification.
Transferring from a foreign employer to an affiliated U.S. entity
You are an executive, manager, or specialized employee opening or staffing a U.S. office.
Temporary work visa for specialty occupations requiring a degree
You have a U.S. job offer that requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field.
Permanent Residency · Employer-Sponsored
EB-2 & EB-3 Employment-Based Green Cards
The most common path from a work visa to a U.S. green card — sponsored by your employer.
Best Situation
You’re on an H-1B or L-1 and want to stay in the U.S. permanently. Your employer is willing to sponsor your permanent residency petition through the PERM labor certification process.
Not the right fit if…
Those without an employer willing to sponsor a multi-year green card process, or those from countries with long priority date backlogs (India, China).
Key Facts
- Employer sponsorship required throughout the process
- EB-2: Advanced degree or exceptional ability
- EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, other workers
- PERM labor certification process (approx. 12–18 months)
- Priority dates vary significantly by country of birth
- Spouse and dependent children included
Temporary · Corporate Transfer
L-1 Intracompany Transfer
Transfer from a foreign office to a U.S. company within the same multinational organization.
Best Situation
You’re an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge employee at a foreign company with a U.S. affiliate, subsidiary, or parent. Your company wants to transfer you to run or staff the U.S. operation.
Not the right fit if…
Those without an established qualifying relationship between a foreign company and a U.S. entity. You must have worked for the qualifying organization abroad for at least 1 year.
Key Facts
- L-1A for executives/managers — direct path to EB-1C Green Card
- L-1B for specialized knowledge employees
- New Office L-1 for companies opening a U.S. operation for the first time
- No annual cap — no lottery
- No prevailing wage requirement
- Spouse (L-2) receives work authorization
Temporary · Employer-Sponsored
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
The primary U.S. work visa for degree-holding professionals sponsored by a U.S. employer.
Best Situation
You have a job offer from a U.S. company for a role that requires at least a bachelor’s degree in a specific field. Your employer is willing to sponsor your visa petition and file on your behalf.
Not the right fit if…
Those without a U.S. employer sponsor, or roles that don’t qualify as a "specialty occupation." Also subject to an annual lottery — not guaranteed.
Key Facts
- Requires U.S. employer sponsorship
- Initial 3-year period, extendable to 6 years
- Dual intent allowed — can apply for green card simultaneously
- Spouse H-4 EAD work authorization available
- Annual lottery cap: 65,000 (+ 20,000 advanced degree)
- Cap-exempt employers available (nonprofits, universities, research)
Why AmLaw Group
What We Do Differently
Employer-Employee Relationship
We carefully establish and document the required employer-employee relationship — particularly for startup founders, consulting arrangements, and situations that face heightened USCIS scrutiny.
LCA & Wage Compliance
Our team handles all Labor Condition Application requirements, ensuring your petition meets prevailing wage standards and public access file obligations from day one.
RFE Response Strategy
We prepare comprehensive responses to Requests for Evidence with one of the highest success rates in the industry for challenged work visa petitions — maintaining your status throughout.
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my employer need to be established to sponsor an H-1B?
Yes, but a startup or newly formed company can sponsor an H-1B as long as it can demonstrate a genuine employer-employee relationship and the ability to pay the prevailing wage. We regularly assist startups with H-1B sponsorships, including proper documentation of the employment relationship.
What is the H-1B lottery and how does it work?
Each year, USCIS receives far more H-1B petitions than the 85,000 available slots (65,000 regular cap + 20,000 advanced degree exemption). A random lottery is conducted among all registrations. If selected, your full petition is filed; if not, it is not adjudicated that year.
Can an L-1 visa lead to a green card?
Yes. L-1A holders (executives and managers) can transition to an EB-1C green card — often with significantly shorter timelines than EB-2 or EB-3, especially for applicants from countries with long priority date backlogs. We frequently design strategies that use L-1 as a stepping stone to permanent residency.
How long can I stay on an H-1B?
An initial H-1B is valid for 3 years, extendable to a maximum of 6 years. If you have an approved I-140 immigrant petition, you may extend your H-1B status indefinitely in 1-year or 3-year increments while waiting for a priority date to become current.
What is the PERM labor certification process?
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is a Department of Labor process that requires your employer to test the U.S. labor market and demonstrate that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position. It is a prerequisite for most EB-2 and EB-3 green card petitions and typically takes 12–18 months.
Your Next Step
Ready to Talk Strategy?
Whether you need an H-1B, a green card through your employer, or an L-1 transfer — every case starts with a frank conversation about your situation and goals.