TIPS AND NEWS

October 9, 2026

How to work legally in the U.S.: the main pathways

By: The Look Jobs Team

To work in the United States, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident needs valid work authorization. In most cases it starts with a U.S. employer willing to hire you and file the visa petition for you (known as "sponsorship"). This guide sums up the most common pathways.

First: what does NOT allow you to work

• Visitor visa (B-1/B-2): does not allow you to work in the U.S., not even for a short time or "off the books".
• Entering as a visitor to "find a job there" is illegal and can lead to removal and a ban on returning for many years.
• Student visa (F-1): only allows work in limited, authorized situations, such as on campus or internships tied to your program.

Temporary work visas

• H-2A: temporary or seasonal agricultural work, such as harvests. The employer needs Department of Labor approval and usually provides housing.
• H-2B: temporary non-agricultural work: hotels, restaurants, landscaping, construction, amusement parks. There is an annual cap.
• H-1B: specialty occupations, usually requiring a bachelor's degree in the field (engineering, technology, healthcare, finance). There is an annual cap and a lottery. Since 2026, the lottery gives better odds to higher-paid job offers, and an extra fee for workers outside the U.S. has been challenged in court: check the current status with USCIS.
• L-1: transfer within the same multinational company, for people who worked for it at least 1 year outside the U.S.
• O-1: people with proven extraordinary ability in science, arts, business or athletics.
• TN: only for citizens of Mexico and Canada, in occupations listed in the trade agreement among the three countries (see our TN visa guide).
• J-1: exchange programs such as internships, trainee programs, au pair and teaching, always through a sponsor designated by the Department of State.

Employment-based green card

An employment-based green card (permanent residence) usually requires the employer to offer a permanent job and obtain a labor certification from the Department of Labor (PERM). The EB-3 category covers skilled workers, professionals with a degree and "other workers" in jobs that require no experience. The wait can take years depending on the category and country of birth: the Department of State publishes the lines every month in the "Visa Bulletin".

The typical steps

1. Find an employer that hires foreign workers and agrees to sponsor the visa.
2. The employer files with the Department of Labor and/or USCIS.
3. Once approved, you schedule the interview at the U.S. consulate in your country.
4. When you start, the employer verifies your documents (Form I-9) and you apply for a Social Security number (SSN).

Watch out for scams

Be wary of anyone who promises a "guaranteed visa" or charges you to get a job. In the H-2A and H-2B programs, the law prohibits employers and recruiters from charging workers recruitment fees. No website, including Look Jobs, can guarantee a visa: the U.S. government decides.

Getting ready? Create your résumé in English in your Look Jobs candidate area and browse open jobs in the U.S.

Official sources

• USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): uscis.gov
• Department of State (visas and consulates): travel.state.gov
• Department of Labor (H-2A, H-2B and PERM): dol.gov and flag.dol.gov
• H-2A and H-2B jobs registered with the government: seasonaljobs.dol.gov

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Rules, timelines and fees change: always check the official websites. Updated October 2026.