Common work routes: duration & processing
Official sources · Reviewed 2026-10-16These examples distinguish petition validity and authorised stay from the visa stamp’s validity. USCIS petition processing, any employer labour steps and consular visa processing are separate. Standard petition times vary by form, category and office; interview waits vary by consulate.
H-1B — specialty occupation
- Stay / permit duration
- Normally up to 3 years initially; generally up to 6 years in total, with statutory exceptions.
- Official processing guidance
- Standard petition timing varies by USCIS category and office; a visa appointment and consular processing may follow.
A petition-based specialty-occupation route. Selection, cap rules and other requirements may add stages; this is not an open work permit.
H-2B — temporary non-agricultural work
- Stay / permit duration
- For the approved temporary labour-certification period. Extensions may be up to 1 year at a time; the general total-stay limit is 3 years.
- Official processing guidance
- Employer labour certification, the USCIS petition and consular steps have separate timings; no single nationwide total is published.
For an employer’s qualifying temporary non-agricultural need, subject to route and cap rules.
L-1A — intracompany manager or executive
- Stay / permit duration
- Generally up to 3 years initially; a new-office petition may be up to 1 year. The general total-stay limit is 7 years.
- Official processing guidance
- USCIS petition and consular appointment/visa timing vary; check the relevant official tools.
For a qualifying intracompany transfer. It is not a general recruitment route for an unrelated employer.
Informational route examples, not a list of confirmed vacancies or a promise that every route is available through the agency. Check the linked official guidance for current eligibility and timing. Recruitment, document preparation and government processing are separate; confirm the route-specific service scope and fees.
Start with the work you want to do.
A recruitment conversation about the United States starts with your occupation, experience and intended work. An agency service price is not a government visa fee or confirmation of eligibility. Check the relevant official employment category before planning an application.
Prepare your candidate background
Set out the vehicles, equipment, clinical practice or other responsibilities that define your experience. Discuss the intended role, any licensing questions and the documents a prospective employer would need to review.
- A complete CV with consistent dates and recent responsibilities
- Qualification, trade or professional evidence where relevant
- Employment references and any language results already held
- Your nationality and current residence, discussed through an appropriate channel
What our support can cover
We can review your skills summary, discuss a focused recruitment search and help prepare your employment application. Document-readiness support can identify questions to resolve before appointments or submission. Confirm availability, fees and the written service scope for your case.
Keep four different steps clear
Employment offer: the proposed work and its terms.
Work authorisation: permission to carry out the specified work.
Entry visa: permission relevant to entering the destination, where required.
Residence permission: the conditions for staying. It is not automatically created by signing a contract.
Language and professional readiness
Ask what language is used at work and whether formal language evidence is required. Professional registration, trade licensing and an immigration language requirement can be separate checks. Choose examinations only after confirming the receiving body’s current rules.
Questions to settle before committing
Is this page advertising a live job?+
No. This is a destination preparation guide. Use the opportunity directory to request a recruitment search or express interest in future discussions.
Can you quote a fixed processing date or extension?+
No. Requirements and decisions depend on the actual route and circumstances. Ask the authority for current information and confirm any service timetable in writing.
Can I apply while living in another country?+
Your residence, nationality and application route may affect where and how you apply. Confirm the official application location and do not assume that being nearby gives you work rights.