US Visa Requirements for International Students and Professionals
A comparison guide to the main US visa routes for international students and professionals: the F-1 student visa, the J-1 exchange visitor visa, the H-1B specialty occupation visa, the O-1 extraordinary ability visa, the L-1 intracompany transfer, and TN professional status under USMCA. Each entry sets out eligibility requirements, how long the status lasts, what work it permits, and its benefits and restrictions, alongside a table comparing F-1, H-1B and O-1 side by side. The page notes that requirements change and that specific situations warrant an immigration attorney.
Six visa categories, covered in detail
The guide profiles the F-1 student visa, the J-1 exchange visitor visa, the H-1B specialty occupation visa, the O-1 extraordinary ability visa, the L-1 intracompany transferee visa, and the TN category for Canadian and Mexican citizens. Each profile lists its eligibility requirements, how long the status is valid, and the employment it authorises.
Work authorisation and dual intent
F-1 work is confined to on-campus employment plus CPT and OPT, and the page notes that F-1 does not recognise dual intent. H-1B, O-1 and L-1 are described as dual-intent categories, meaning a holder can pursue permanent residence while in status; TN is described as not officially recognising dual intent.
Benefits weighed against restrictions
Every visa entry pairs its advantages with its limits: H-1B is subject to an annual cap and a maximum period of stay, while O-1 and L-1 are not capped; J-1 may carry a two-year home residency requirement under 212(e). Dependent categories (F-2, J-2, H-4, O-3, L-2, TD) are listed with notes on which spouses can work.
Side-by-side comparison and caveats
A comparison table sets F-1, H-1B and O-1 against the same criteria — duration, processing time, application fees, work authorisation, dual intent, degree requirement, annual cap, and spouse work authorisation. The page states the table is general, may not cover every exception, and that visa rules are subject to change, directing readers to an immigration attorney for advice on their own case.