Description and typical occupations of common nonimmigrant visa classifications that authorize employment
| Visa classification | Description | Typical occupations |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional work visas | ||
| H-1B | Specialty occupations that require a college degree or its equivalent | Computer and information technology, accountants, physicians, nurses, teachers |
| H-2A | Seasonal agricultural occupations | Fruit and vegetable crop farming, tobacco farming, shepherding |
| H-2B | Seasonal non-agricultural occupations that do not require a college degree | Landscaping and groundskeeping, forestry, housekeeping, construction, seafood processing |
| L-1 | Intracompany transfers, either managers and executives or employees with “specialized knowledge” | Corporate managers and executives, information technology occupations |
| O-1 | Persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, art, education, business, or athletics | |
| P-1 | Internationally recognized athletes or members of entertainment groups; essential support personnel | Professional athletes, professional and well known entertainers, circus performers and their staff, other support staff |
| TN | Canadian and Mexican professionals (visa created by North American Free Trade Agreement) | Accountants, architects, economists, lawyers, pharmacists, teachers |
| Other visa classifications that permit up to full-time employment |
||
| F-1 | Foreign university students | Various on-campus occupations, information technology occupations (especially in the Optional Practical Training program) |
| A-3 | Attendants, servants, or personal employees of diplomats, embassy workers, and foreign government officials | Domestic workers |
| G-5 | Attendants, servants, or personal employees of representatives and staffers of international organizations | Domestic workers |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors | Various programs (approximately 15)—such as Summer Work Travel, Intern/Trainee, Camp Counselors, Alien Physicians, and Teachers—permit a wide range of occupations and varying skill levels, including amusement and recreation park workers, lifeguards, housekeepers, teachers, camp counselors, physicians, and farmworkers |
| B-1 | Business visitors (cannot receive remuneration from a U.S. source) | Attending business meetings; maintenance of goods purchased by U.S. company from home country; B-1 in lieu of J-1, or H-1B, or H-3; personal servants of B-1 business visitor |
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, accessed July 2014; U.S. Department of State website, accessed July 2014; Immigration and Nationality Act § 101(a)(15)