A common way to temporarily work in the United States is for a prospective employer to file a petition with USCIS on your behalf.
Some of the most common work visas are:
- H1B Visa - Workers in a specialty occupation and the following subclassifications: H-1B1 - Free Trade Agreement workers in a specialty occupation from Chile and Singapore. H-1B3 - Fashion Models of Distinguished Merit and Ability.
- L-1A and L-1B visa Visas for international transferees (executives, managers and employees with specialized knowledge)
- Extraordinary ability O visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics and motion picture or television production.
- P-1A visa for internationally recognized athletes, teams and groups and the P-1B visa for internationally recognized entertainment groups. P-3 Visas granted to culturally unique artists and entertainers, coming to the U.S. individually or as a group, to develop, interpret, represent, coach, or teach unique or traditionally ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical, or artistic performance or presentation which will further the understanding or development of that art form. The program may be of a commercial or noncommercial nature.
- E-2 investment visa or E-1 trade visa
- E-3 Visa Certain "specialty occupation" professionals from Australia.
- TN Visa - Temporary North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professionals from Mexico and Canada.