U.S. Visa Options

Employment & Talent-Based

Check Your Eligibility — Free

Explore key visa pathways for professionals, performers, and exchange visitors seeking temporary work or training in the United States. Our firm provides clear guidance to help you understand eligibility and choose the right option for your goals.

H‑1B Visa

Specialty Occupation Workers

H-1B Visa – Specialty Occupation

The H‑1B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign professionals in roles requiring specialized knowledge and at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent. It is commonly used for engineers, analysts, scientists, healthcare professionals, and other highly skilled workers. Most filings are subject to the annual cap and lottery, with up to six years of total stay available.

How We Help

We guide employers and professionals through every step — eligibility analysis, job classification, LCA strategy, petition preparation, and long‑term immigration planning.

  • To qualify, the position must meet the legal definition of a specialty occupation, meaning it requires:

    • A bachelor’s degree or higher in a specific field

    • Specialized theoretical or practical knowledge

    • Duties consistent with professional‑level expertise

    Common fields include engineering, technology, finance, healthcare, architecture, and scientific research.

    • Dual intent — allows future green card sponsorship

    • Work authorization for up to six years (initial 3 + extension)

    • Portability — workers may change employers under certain conditions

    • Premium processing available

  • Most employers must enter the annual H‑1B cap lottery, which allocates:

    • 65,000 regular cap visas

    • 20,000 advanced‑degree visas

    Cap‑exempt employers — universities, nonprofit research organizations, and certain affiliated entities — may file year‑round.

J‑1 Visa

Exchange Visitors

J‑1 Visa – Exchange Visitors

The J‑1 visa supports cultural, educational, and professional exchange programs, including internships, training, research, teaching, and specialized learning. Some categories may trigger a two‑year home residency requirement before certain future immigration benefits can be pursued.

How We Help

We assist with J‑1 eligibility, program selection, waiver strategy, hardship analysis, and long‑term immigration planning for individuals transitioning from J‑1 to other U.S. visas.

  • Applicants must:

    • Be accepted into a designated J‑1 program

    • Receive a DS‑2019 from a sponsoring organization

    • Demonstrate sufficient funding and ties to their home country

    • Wide range of program categories

    • Flexible durations depending on the program

    • Opportunities for training, research, and cultural immersion

    • No annual cap

  • Some J‑1 categories require participants to return home for two years before applying for:

    • H‑1B

    • L‑1

    • Green card

    • Certain other statuses

    This requirement may apply based on funding source, skills list, or program category.

  • A J‑1 waiver may be available through:

    • No‑objection statement

    • Exceptional hardship

    • Persecution

    • Interested government agency

TN Visa

Canadian & Mexican Professionals

TN Visa – Canadian & Mexican Professionals

Under the USMCA, the TN visa offers a fast, efficient pathway for qualified Canadian and Mexican professionals in designated occupations. With no annual cap and renewable three‑year periods, TN status is ideal for individuals seeking streamlined entry into the U.S. workforce.

How We Help

We prepare complete TN application packets, employer support letters, evidence portfolios, and renewal strategies — ensuring smooth entry and continued compliance.

  • Applicants must:

    • Hold citizenship of Canada or Mexico

    • Have a job offer in a listed TN occupation

    • Meet the educational or licensing requirements for that profession

    Common TN professions include engineers, accountants, scientists, medical professionals, and educators.

    • No annual cap

    • Fast processing — same‑day adjudication for Canadians at the border

    • Renewable in three‑year increments

    • Lower documentation burden compared to other work visas

  • Canadian

    May apply directly at a port of entry with supporting documents.

    Mexican

    Apply through a U.S. consulate for a TN visa stamp before entering.

    • Restricted to occupations listed in the USMCA

    • Not a dual‑intent visa

    • Requires maintaining professional qualifications

P‑Visa

Athletes, Artists & Entertainers

P-Visas – Performers, Artists & Athletes

P‑visas allow internationally recognized athletes, entertainment groups, artists, and culturally unique performers to enter the United States for tours, competitions, events, and short‑term engagements. Support personnel such as coaches, trainers, and crew may also qualify.

How We Help

We build strong P‑visa cases with evidence portfolios, expert opinion letters, itineraries, contracts, and support personnel documentation — ensuring performers and athletes can enter the U.S. without delays.

  • P‑1A — Internationally Recognized Athletes

    For athletes competing at a distinguished level, individually or as part of a team.

    P‑1B — Entertainment Groups

    For groups with a sustained international reputation.

    P‑3 — Culturally Unique Artists & Performers

    For artists and entertainers participating in culturally unique programs.

    P‑1S / P‑3S — Support Personnel

    For essential coaches, trainers, technicians, and crew.

    • Ideal for tours, concerts, festivals, competitions, and short‑term engagements

    • Allows accompanying support staff

    • Flexible validity periods (up to 5 years for athletes)

    • No annual cap

    • International recognition

    • Contracts or event agreements

    • Detailed itineraries

    • Press coverage, awards, or critical reviews

Considering other U.S. visa options?

Our firm supports professionals, founders, executives, artists, and specialized talent across multiple visa categories. Explore the full range of pathways available and compare which option best aligns with your goals, background, and long‑term plans in the United States.

Your Employment and Talent Visa Attorney

Representing international talent, investors, and corporations on a wide range of visas. 20 years experience. Consult with Lauren Lantz.

Lauren Lantz | U.S. Immigration Attorney

— 20 years of U.S. immigration experience

— Former Senior Associate, where she spent 13 years at the world’s largest immigration law firm

— Licensed in Georgia since 2007

— American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Member

— Co-author, "Theft, Drugs, Deception: Oh My!" — AILA VOICE cover story, 2011

— Practice experience in London, Sydney, and Washington D.C.

— Representing clients in the UK, Europe, Australia, and worldwide

— All consultations fully remote.

Learn More About lauren

Not every work visa situation fits a single category — and some of the most direct paths to U.S. work authorisation are also the most underused.

Lauren has handled H 1B specialty occupation petitions, TN status for Canadian and Mexican professionals, J 1 exchange visitor matters, and P visa petitions for athletes, artists, and entertainers. Each category has its own requirements, timelines, and strategic considerations. Lauren's starting point is always the same — assess the situation honestly, identify the right category, and build the strongest possible case from there.

Working in the U.S. Requires the Right Visa. Let's Find Yours.

Whether you're a specialty occupation professional pursuing an H-1B, a Canadian or Mexican national eligible for TN status, an exchange visitor on a J visa, or a performing artist or athlete seeking P visa classification — the right pathway depends on your specific background, employer, and goals. No two cases are the same.

Let us provide a personalized assessment of your eligibility and next steps.