Launch Your American Career

The United States offers numerous pathways for international professionals to work legally. From temporary work visas to permanent employment-based green cards, we’ll identify the best strategy for your skills and career goals. Our attorneys specialize in navigating complex employment immigration, helping both workers and employers succeed.

Check Visa Options →

Work Visa Journey

From job offer to work authorization – streamlined process

1

Assessment

Evaluate qualifications and determine best visa category

2

Labor Certification

File PERM or LCA if required for position

3

Petition Filing

Submit employer petition with USCIS

4

Processing

Track petition and respond to any RFEs

5

Visa/Status

Obtain visa stamp or change status

6

Begin Work

Start employment in the United States

Work Visa Categories

Each visa category has specific requirements and benefits.

We’ll match your qualifications to the optimal visa pathway for success.

H1

H-1B Specialty Occupation

For professionals in specialty occupations requiring bachelor’s degree or higher. Subject to annual cap and lottery system.

Duration: 3 years, extendable to 6
L1

L-1 Intracompany Transfer

For managers, executives (L-1A) or specialized knowledge workers (L-1B) transferring within multinational companies.

L-1A: 7 years / L-1B: 5 years
O1

O-1 Extraordinary Ability

For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture/TV.

Initial: 3 years, unlimited extensions
E2

E-2 Treaty Investor

For nationals of treaty countries making substantial investment in U.S. business. Includes key employees.

2 years, unlimited renewals
TN

TN NAFTA Professional

For Canadian and Mexican citizens in specific professional occupations under USMCA (formerly NAFTA).

3 years, unlimited renewals
EB

EB Green Cards

Employment-based permanent residence for priority workers (EB-1), advanced degree holders (EB-2), skilled workers (EB-3).

Permanent residence pathway

WHY CHOOSE ATLAS

Expert Employment Immigration

STRATEGIC PLANNING

We develop comprehensive immigration strategies aligned with your career goals, considering both temporary and permanent options.

PERM LABOR CERTIFICATION

Handle complex PERM processes including prevailing wage determinations, recruitment, and audit responses for green card applications.

PREMIUM PROCESSING

Expedite eligible petitions with premium processing for 15-day decisions. We manage all aspects of accelerated filing.

COMPLIANCE SUPPORT

Ensure employer compliance with LCA requirements, public access files, and I-9 regulations to avoid penalties and maintain status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to common work visa questions

The H-1B visa has an annual numerical limit (cap) of 85,000 new petitions:
  • Regular cap: 65,000 visas for all applicants
  • Master’s cap: Additional 20,000 for U.S. master’s degree holders
  • Lottery process: USCIS conducts electronic registration in March, random selection follows
  • Cap-exempt employers: Universities, non-profit research organizations, and government research organizations are exempt
Recent selection rates have been around 25-30% for regular cap and slightly higher for master’s cap. We help maximize your chances through proper preparation and alternative strategies.
Changing employers depends on your visa type:

H-1B: New employer must file H-1B transfer petition. You can start working upon filing (portability provision) but risk denial consequences.

L-1: Cannot change employers as it’s company-specific. Would need entirely new visa.

O-1: New employer must file new O-1 petition or be added as agent.

TN: Can change employers by obtaining new TN approval at border or through USCIS.

Green card process: May need to restart PERM if not past I-140 approval with 180+ days pending I-485.
Employment-based green card timelines vary significantly by category and country of birth:
  • EB-1 (Extraordinary ability/Multinational managers): Current for most countries, 1-2 years total
  • EB-2 (Advanced degree/Exceptional ability): Current except India (10+ years) and China (4-5 years)
  • EB-3 (Skilled/Professional workers): 2-3 years, except India (10+ years) and China (5-6 years)
  • PERM Labor Certification: 6-12 months before I-140 can be filed
  • I-140 Processing: 4-6 months (15 days with premium processing)
  • I-485 Adjustment: 8-14 months once priority date is current
Total time ranges from 1.5 years for EB-1 to over 10 years for India-born EB-2/EB-3 applicants due to per-country limits.
If your H-1B employment ends, you have a 60-day grace period (or until I-94 expiration, whichever is shorter) to:
  • Find new employer: New employer must file H-1B transfer petition before grace period ends
  • Change status: Apply to change to another visa status (F-1 student, B-2 visitor, etc.)
  • Leave the U.S.: Depart and potentially apply for new visa from abroad
Important considerations:
• Grace period is once per authorized validity period
• Cannot work during grace period until new H-1B is filed
• If laid off after I-140 approval with I-485 pending 180+ days, may port to new employer
• Severance packages may affect grace period start date

We recommend immediately consulting an attorney to explore all options and ensure timely action.
Work authorization for spouses depends on the primary visa type:

H-4 (H-1B dependents): Eligible for EAD if H-1B holder has approved I-140 or is in 6th year+ under AC21. Processing takes 3-5 months.

L-2 (L-1 dependents): Automatically authorized to work upon admission. Can apply for EAD for evidence but not required.

E-2 dependents: Spouses can apply for work authorization (EAD). Children cannot work.

O-3 (O-1 dependents): Cannot work. No work authorization available.

TD (TN dependents): Cannot work. Must obtain own work visa.

F-2 (F-1 dependents): Cannot work or study full-time.

Note: Dependent children (except L-2) generally cannot obtain work authorization based on dependent status.
H-1B positions must require at minimum a bachelor’s degree in a specific field:

U.S. Bachelor’s degree: Direct qualification if degree is in field related to position.

Foreign degrees: Must obtain credential evaluation showing equivalence to U.S. bachelor’s or higher.

3-year bachelor’s + 1-year postgraduate: Some countries’ 3-year degrees plus postgraduate diploma may qualify.

Experience equivalency: 3 years of progressive work experience can equal 1 year of college. Need 12 years experience to equal bachelor’s degree.

Combination: Can combine education and experience. Example: 2-year associate degree + 6 years progressive experience.

Specific field requirement: Degree must be in field related to position (e.g., Computer Science for Software Engineer role).

We work with credential evaluators to assess foreign degrees and experience-based equivalencies.
PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) is the labor certification process for most employment-based green cards:

1. Prevailing Wage Determination (2-4 months):
  • DOL determines minimum wage for position
  • Employer must pay at or above this wage
2. Recruitment (2-3 months):
  • Job order with state workforce agency (30 days)
  • Two Sunday newspaper ads
  • Three additional recruitment steps for professional positions
  • Internal posting for 10 business days
3. Quiet Period (30 days):
  • Wait after recruitment ends before filing
4. ETA-9089 Filing (2-6 months):
  • Submit electronic application to DOL
  • May receive audit (adds 6-12 months)
Common audit triggers: Foreign language requirements, telecommuting, family ownership, recent layoffs.

Total PERM timeline: 6-12 months without audit, 12-24 months with audit.