US work visas and visa sponsorship guide
US federal rules as of October 30, 2026. Sources re-checked against official pages on October 30, 2026. Where a figure could not be confirmed, this page links the official source instead of stating it.
US work permission depends on the category, not just the job. Most routes are either a temporary work status (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E-3, F-1 OPT) or an employer-sponsored green card (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, PERM). This work visas and visa sponsorship guide explains each in plain English and links to the official source.
At a glance
- Temporary status and green cards are different commitments. An employer that "sponsors H-1B" has not promised a green card.
- On LiveRec, every role shows the sponsorship status the employer gave us. We do not guess when a role says nothing.
- LiveRec is not a law firm. Nothing here promises a visa, a lottery selection or a green card.
Which route fits you?
| If you are... | Start here | Who files |
|---|---|---|
| A professional with a degree-level job offer | H-1B | Employer |
| An F-1 student or recent graduate | OPT and STEM OPT | You, with your school |
| Already working for a company abroad | L-1 | Employer |
| At the top of your field | O-1 | Employer or agent |
| A citizen of Canada, Mexico or Australia | TN, E-3 | Varies |
| Looking for permanent residence | Green card overview, PERM, EB-3, EB-2 and NIW | Employer, or you for NIW |
| Applying from India | H-1B from India | See page |
Who does what at each agency?
The Department of Labor certifies wage and labor attestations. USCIS decides petitions and status changes inside the US. The State Department issues visas abroad and publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin. Customs and Border Protection admits you at the border.
How do I find roles that sponsor?
Use the sponsorship filter on visa sponsorship jobs. To check an employer's record yourself, read how to check if a company sponsors H-1B visas. Then read how to ask an employer about sponsorship. Learn the warning signs in avoiding immigration scams.
FAQ
Does LiveRec give legal advice? No. We explain public rules and link to USCIS, the Department of Labor and the State Department. For your own case, speak to a licensed attorney.
Does a sponsorship tag mean I will get a visa? No. It reflects what the employer told us. Selection and approval are government decisions.
Do you list fees? Only where a primary source states them with a date. Otherwise we link to the official fee page.
More answers: Immigration FAQ and visa sponsorship interview questions.
Sources
- USCIS, petition process overview, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/information-for-employers-and-employees/petition-process-overview, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, no figure is taken from it
- USCIS, filing fees, https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees, checked 2026-10-30
- USCIS, visa availability and priority dates, https://www.uscis.gov/green-card/green-card-processes-and-procedures/visa-availability-priority-dates, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, no figure is taken from it
This is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change and your situation may differ. Consult a licensed attorney or qualified adviser.