1. Choosing a Work Visa As the Worker
Employers handle the filing, but the visa's day-to-day effects fall on the worker. The features that matter most to you are duration, whether you can pursue a green card, and what your family can do.
Temporary Vs. Permanent, from Your Side
A temporary work visa lets you work for a set period tied to a specific role, while a green card gives permanent status. Relying on a temporary visa alone means watching the clock, because each category caps how long you can stay. Knowing that limit early shapes when you should plan a permanent path.
What Sponsorship Means for You
Most work visas require an employer to petition for you, so your status is tied to that job. If the job ends, your authorization can end with it, subject to any grace period. That link is why job changes and layoffs matter more on a work visa than in ordinary employment.
2. The Main Temporary Work Visas
Three categories cover most professional cases, and each suits a different profile. The table compares them on the points a worker feels day to day.
| Visa | Maximum stay | Green card allowed | Spouse work |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B | Up to 6 years, with possible extensions | Yes (dual intent) | H-4 spouse only in limited cases |
| L-1A / L-1B | Up to 7 years (L-1A) or 5 years (L-1B) | Yes (dual intent) | L-2 spouse may work |
| O-1 | Initial up to 3 years, then 1-year extensions | No strict intent bar | O-3 dependents cannot work |
H-1b for Specialty Occupations
The H-1B fits roles that require at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field, and it allows dual intent, so you can pursue a green card while on it. Most cap-subject cases are selected through the annual H-1B registration process before filing, and the maximum stay is generally six years with possible extensions. Our H-1B visa page explains the cap and selection in detail.
L-1 for Intracompany Transfers
The L-1 moves you from a related company abroad after at least one continuous year of qualifying employment. L-1A managers and executives can stay up to seven years, while L-1B specialized-knowledge workers can stay up to five. Our L-1 visa page covers the qualifying relationship.
O-1 for Extraordinary Ability
The O-1 fits individuals with sustained national or international acclaim, and it has no annual cap. It is granted for an initial period of up to three years, with one-year extensions while the work continues. Our O-1 visa page describes the evidence standard.
3. What Each Visa Means for Your Family
A visa that suits your career may treat your family very differently. Dependent work authorization is one of the sharpest differences between categories.
Spouses and Work Authorization
An L-2 spouse is generally authorized to work based on status, while an H-4 spouse can work only in limited situations tied to the H-1B worker's green card progress. An O-3 spouse cannot work at all. These differences can matter as much as the salary when a household plans a move.
Children and Study
Dependent children in H-4, L-2, and O-3 status may live and study in the United States but generally cannot work. Their status usually ends when they turn 21 or when the primary visa ends. Planning around those dates avoids a sudden loss of status for a child.
4. Changing Jobs on a Work Visa
Job mobility is one of the biggest practical differences between categories. What you can do after a change depends on the visa.
H-1b Portability
H-1B portability may allow you to begin work for a new employer after that employer properly files a qualifying, non-frivolous H-1B petition while you are in a period of authorized stay. A gap between jobs may be covered by a limited grace period. Missing that window can put status at risk, so timing the move matters.
L-1 and O-1 Job Changes
The L-1 ties you to the petitioning company and its qualifying relationship, so moving to an unrelated employer generally requires a different visa. The O-1 is specific to the petitioning employer or agent, so a new employer must file a new petition before you start. Neither offers the quick portability of the H-1B.
5. Moving Toward a Green Card
Many workers eventually shift from a temporary visa to permanent residence, and the visa you hold affects how smooth that is. Dual-intent categories like the H-1B and L-1 make the transition easier to plan.
- The maximum time the visa allows and whether extensions are realistic
- Whether the category permits pursuing a green card
- Whether your spouse can obtain work authorization
- What happens to your status if you leave or lose the job
- How the role maps to a later employment-based immigration category
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Can my spouse work if I am on an H-1B or L-1?
An L-2 spouse is generally authorized to work based on status, which makes the L-1 attractive for dual-career households. An H-4 spouse can work only in limited situations, usually tied to the H-1B worker reaching a certain stage in the green card process. An O-3 spouse cannot work, so that difference should factor into which offer you accept.
What happens to my visa if I lose or change my job?
Because most work visas depend on a specific employer, ending the job can end your authorization, though a limited grace period may apply. On an H-1B, portability can let you start a new job once the new employer files a qualifying petition. On an L-1 or O-1, a new and often different filing is usually required before you can work elsewhere.
Which work visas generally allow a move toward permanent residence?
Dual-intent categories such as the H-1B and L-1 let you seek permanent residence without undermining the temporary status. The O-1 is not held to a strict foreign-residence requirement, so it is also generally compatible with a green card path. Categories that require nonimmigrant intent are the ones where a pending green card can create friction.
7. Weighing Your Options
The appropriate work visa depends on the worker's qualifications, the employer's sponsorship, the planned period of employment, and the rules for the specific category. Review the maximum period of stay, dependent benefits, employer-change requirements, and any available extensions before relying on a classification. Because immigration rules, employment-authorization policies, and filing procedures change over time, each decision should follow the requirements in effect when the relevant filing or employment begins.
04 Nov, 2025
