Choosing between H-1B, H-2B and EB-3 is the first decision for anyone looking for U.S. visa sponsorship. Each visa fits a different kind of job: H-1B for degree-level professional roles, H-2B for seasonal non-farm work and EB-3 for permanent jobs that lead to a green card.
This guide compares the routes, explains caps, lotteries and labor certification, shows typical salaries for sponsored occupations and links to the official U.S. government pages and job boards where real employers post openings.
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U.S. Work Visas at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| H-1B | Degree jobs; annual cap with wage-weighted selection (FY 2027+) |
| H-2B | Seasonal non-farm jobs; 66,000 cap per fiscal year |
| H-2A | Seasonal farm jobs; no annual cap |
| EB-3 | Permanent jobs; PERM + Visa Bulletin wait; green card |
| L-1 / TN | Multinational transfers / Canadian & Mexican professionals |
| Never | Pay for a “guaranteed” U.S. job or visa |
1. Types of Jobs Matched to Each U.S. Work Visa
Professional jobs → H-1B
Software engineers, accountants, engineers, analysts.
Seasonal hospitality and landscaping → H-2B
Hotels, resorts, landscaping, seafood processing.
Farm work → H-2A
Crop harvesting and seasonal agriculture.
Permanent skilled and unskilled jobs → EB-3
Nurses (Schedule A), factory, hospitality and construction roles with long-term employers.
Managers in multinationals → L-1A
Executive and manager transfers.
2. Typical U.S. Salaries for Sponsored Occupations (2026)
BLS national medians for frequently sponsored occupations (May 2024):
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Typical visa |
|---|---|---|
| Software developers | $133,080 | H-1B → EB-2/EB-3 |
| Registered nurses | $93,600 | EB-3 (Schedule A) |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $56,290 | EB-3 / H-2B (limited) |
| Nursing assistants | $39,430 | EB-3 |
| Maids and housekeeping cleaners | ≈ $17.07/hour | H-2B |
Source: BLS OEWS. Sponsored wages must meet DOL prevailing wage rules; see the DOL wage search.
3. Visa Types for Foreign Workers in the USA
A U.S. employer must petition for you; the right category for foreign workers depends on whether the job is temporary or permanent and on your education.
| Visa | Who it is for | Employer needed? | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Specialty occupations (bachelor’s degree) | Yes | USCIS – H-1B cap |
| H-2B | Temporary non-agricultural work | Yes | USCIS – H-2B |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals and other workers (green card) | Yes | USCIS – EB-3 |
| L-1A / L-1B | Intra-company transfers | Yes | USCIS – L-1A |
| TN | Canadian and Mexican professionals | Yes | USCIS – TN |
Temporary visas (H-1B, H-2B, L-1, TN) let you work for the sponsoring employer for a set period. EB-3 is an immigrant visa: you arrive as a permanent resident but may wait years for your priority date to become current in the Visa Bulletin.
Filing fees change; check the USCIS fee schedule. H-2B employers must not seek recruitment fees from workers (DOL worker protections).
4. List of Companies That Commonly Sponsor Visas With Visa Sponsorship – Contacts and Addresses
These are real, well-known employers of foreign workers in the USA. We list the head-office location and the official careers page – the only safe place to apply. Being on this list does not mean a company is hiring or sponsoring foreign workers right now; each posting states its own requirements.
| Company | Head office | Official website | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Seattle, WA | Careers page | H-1B and L-1 sponsor |
| Microsoft | Redmond, WA | Careers page | H-1B sponsor |
| Xanterra Travel Collection | Greenwood Village, CO | Careers page | Seasonal hospitality |
| HCA Healthcare | Nashville, TN | Careers page | Nurse hiring |
| Delaware North | Buffalo, NY | Careers page | Seasonal hospitality |
5. Employment Agencies to Find Sponsored Job Opportunities – International Recruitment
Recruiters can introduce you to employers, but only a U.S. employer can file your petition. We list head offices and official websites; contact them only through these sites.
| Agency | Head office | Official website | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Half | Menlo Park, CA | www.roberthalf.com | Professional and technical recruitment |
| Randstad USA | Atlanta, GA | www.randstadusa.com | Industrial, healthcare, IT staffing |
| Adecco USA | Jacksonville, FL | www.adeccousa.com | Industrial and hospitality staffing |
For legal help use a licensed U.S. attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative (DOJ accreditation program); the American Immigration Lawyers Association has a lawyer search.
6. Visa Requirements for Employment – Requirements and Documents
- Valid passport
- Approved petition (Form I-797) or, for green cards, approved I-140 and NVC case number
- Signed job offer and reference letters with dates, duties and hours
- Education credentials and evaluations
- Employment reference letters
- DS-160 (temporary) or DS-260 (immigrant) confirmation
- Medical exam by a panel physician and police certificates (immigrant visas)
7. Steps to Get Visa Sponsorship as a Foreign Worker – How to Apply
- Agree the visa route with the employer (H-2B, EB-3 or H-1B).
- Search real job orders on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and certified employers on FLAG.dol.gov.
- Apply directly to the employer or its named recruiter and interview.
- The employer files labor certification with the Department of Labor, then the USCIS petition.
- Complete the DS-160/DS-260, pay the fee and attend the embassy interview (wait times).
- Travel and work for the petitioning employer.
Possible websites to apply for sponsorship visas
- SeasonalJobs.dol.gov – official H-2A/H-2B job orders
- FLAG.dol.gov – certification data
- travel.state.gov – employment-based immigrant visas
- Official careers pages of the employers above
8. Pathways That Can Give a Green Card (Permanent Residence)
The main permanent route for foreign workers is an employment-based green card: PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor (unless exempt), Form I-140, then waiting for your priority date in the Visa Bulletin.
| Pathway | How it works | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| EB-3 skilled / other workers | 2+ years training (skilled) or less (other workers); long waits for other workers | USCIS – EB-3 |
| EB-2 | Advanced degree or exceptional ability | USCIS – EB-2 |
The EB-3 Final Action Dates in the October 2026 Visa Bulletin were May 15, 2024 for most countries, August 15, 2023 for the Philippines and January 1, 2014 for India. H-1B workers usually switch to EB-2 or EB-3 through their employer; H-2B workers have no direct green-card path.
Track cases on USCIS case status and CEAC. Policies changed often in 2025–2026, so confirm rules on uscis.gov and travel.state.gov.
9. Meeting the Eligibility Requirements
- H-1B: degree in a related field and a specialty occupation.
- H-2B: nationality of an eligible country and intent to return home.
- EB-3: a permanent full-time job offer and, for most jobs, approved PERM labor certification.
- Admissibility: no disqualifying criminal or immigration history and truthful forms.
10. Applying at the Embassy – Work Visa Verification, Embassy Contacts and Verification
After USCIS approval you interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate (directory: usembassy.gov). Contacts below are from official embassy pages (checked October 2026).
| Country | Mission | Address | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | U.S. Embassy Abuja | Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive, Central District Area, Abuja | +234 209 461 4000 | Official page |
| India | U.S. Embassy New Delhi | Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021 | +91-11-2419-8000 | Official page |
| Philippines | U.S. Embassy Manila | 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila 1000 | +63-2-5301-2000 | Official page |
How to verify a job offer or visa
- Check the employer on FLAG.dol.gov or the job order on SeasonalJobs.dol.gov.
- Verify receipt numbers on USCIS case status.
- Never pay via personal accounts or gift cards; read the USCIS scam guide.
11. Mistakes to Avoid During the Process – Immigration Errors
- Applying for the wrong visa type for your job.
- Confusing a job board listing with an actual approved petition.
- Paying for a “guaranteed” U.S. job or green card.
- Treating a recruiter as your sponsor – only the employer can petition.
- Working on a tourist visa.
- Inconsistent work history between CV, petition and DS-160/DS-260.
12. Settlement Benefits and Relocation Planning
Temporary workers should budget for health insurance and housing; H-2B employers often disclose housing options in the job order. Green-card holders can apply for a Social Security number and access more services.
| Topic | What to know | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | Usually through the employer | HealthCare.gov |
| Social Security number | Needed for payroll | ssa.gov |
| Newcomer guide | Official information | USA.gov |
Conclusion
H-1B, H-2B and EB-3 serve very different workers. Match your education and the job type to the right visa, then target employers that already sponsor through official channels.
Next step: search FLAG.dol.gov and SeasonalJobs.dol.gov and read our occupation guides for the USA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest U.S. work visa to get?
No visa is easy, but H-2B and H-2A depend on employer demand rather than a lottery, while H-1B uses a capped, weighted selection.
Which U.S. visa leads to a green card?
EB-3 and EB-2 are green-card categories. H-1B and L-1 allow you to pursue a green card while working.
Can I apply for a U.S. work visa without an employer?
Most work visas need an employer petition. Exceptions include investor visas and some extraordinary-ability categories.
How long is the EB-3 wait?
It depends on your country of birth; check the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Where can I find real sponsored jobs?
On SeasonalJobs.dol.gov, FLAG.dol.gov data and employers’ official careers pages.
Do I have to pay a recruiter to get a U.S. visa?
No legitimate route requires you to buy a job. H-2B rules prohibit employers and their recruiters from charging workers recruitment fees, and you should never pay anyone who “guarantees” a visa.
Next guide: Construction Manager Jobs in Canada With LMIA Visa Sponsorship →
Important: ConvertKind Jobs is an independent information website. We are not an employer, recruiter or immigration adviser, we do not offer jobs or visas and we never charge fees. Rules, wages and fees change often, so always confirm details on the official government websites linked in this guide or with a licensed immigration professional before you apply or pay anyone.