Immigration FAQ: US work visas and green cards
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.
Immigration FAQ: short answers on US work visas and green cards. Each links to a full guide with primary sources. None of this is legal advice.
Sponsorship
What does "visa sponsorship" mean? An employer agrees to file the petition or application for you. See visa sponsorship jobs.
Does LiveRec guarantee sponsorship? No. We show what the employer told us.
Temporary work visas
What is an H-1B? Temporary status for specialty occupations; the employer files. See H-1B.
What is an O-1? Temporary status for extraordinary ability, with a petitioner. See O-1.
What is L-1? Transfer within a company after one year abroad. See L-1.
What are TN and E-3? Country-specific categories for Canada and Mexico (TN) and Australia (E-3). See TN, E-3.
What is OPT? F-1 student work authorisation you apply for yourself. See OPT.
Green cards
What is PERM? The Department of Labor labor certification step. See PERM.
What are EB-2 and EB-3? Employer-sponsored categories. See EB-2 NIW, EB-3.
How long does a green card take? It depends on category and country. See timeline.
Scams
How do I spot a scam? See avoiding immigration scams.
Sources
- USCIS, H-1B specialty occupations, https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/h-1b-specialty-occupations, checked 2026-10-30
- DOL, PERM labor certification, https://www.dol.gov/agencies/eta/foreign-labor/programs/permanent, live official page, linked for readers; link checked 2026-10-30, page blocks automated reads so no figure is copied from it
- USCIS, common scams, https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/common-scams, 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.