How to Get a Visa and Work Permit in the US (2025)

The US remains the world’s largest talent market and one of the most in-demand destinations for global mobility. Its tech, healthcare, engineering, R&D, business, finance, and academic sectors rely heavily on foreign talent and offer competitive salaries, deep career progression, and long-term residency options.

But the US immigration system is notorious for its complexity. Employers face overlapping rules from four different government bodies, strict wage and compliance obligations, cap-limited programs such as the H-1B, and visa processes that vary significantly by role, nationality, and employer structure.

These challenges often delay hiring, complicate onboarding, and introduce legal and operational risk — especially for distributed teams or companies hiring in multiple states.

Yet many employers don’t realize that alongside these rigid pathways, the US offers fast, flexible, low-barrier routes that avoid lotteries, avoid caps, and move talent far more quickly.

With Deel Immigration, companies can strategically select the right US visa route, complete required DOL and USCIS steps efficiently, and onboard workers in the US with less friction — unlocking the talent and markets they need to grow in 2025.

How easy is it to get a US work visa?

Obtaining a work permit in the United States is challenging, especially for first-time immigrants. Difficulty depends on:

See also: Moving to the US: A Guide for Expats and Digital Nomads

Types of US entry visas and work permits

The United States has hundreds of immigration classifications, but most employers rely on a core set of 10–12 categories when hiring or relocating talent.

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) visas

These visas enable individuals to work in the US for a specific employer, in a particular job, and for a specified period of time.

• H-1B – Specialty Occupations
• H-1B1 – Specialty Occupations for Chile & Singapore
• E-3 – Specialty Occupations for Australians
• L-1A – Intracompany Transferee (Executives/Managers)
• L-1B – Intracompany Transferee (Specialized Knowledge)
• O-1A – Extraordinary Ability in Science, Business, Education, or Athletics
• O-1B – Extraordinary Ability in Arts, Film, or Television
• TN – USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)
• B-1 – Temporary Business Visitors
• CPT – Curricular Practical Training for F-1 students
• OPT – Optional Practical Training for F-1 graduates
• STEM OPT Extension – 24-month extension for STEM degree holders

Permanent (Immigrant) visas

These lead to lawful permanent residence (Green Card).

• EB-1A – Extraordinary Ability
• EB-1B – Outstanding Professors & Researchers
• EB-1C – Multinational Managers & Executives
• EB-2 NIW – National Interest Waiver
• EB-2 / EB-3 PERM – Advanced degree, skilled workers, and professionals
• Consular Green Card – Immigrant visa issued abroad
• Adjustment of Status – Green card application from within the US

Other immigration filings

Additional processes related to work authorization, lawful presence, or permanent residence.

• I-765 (EAD) – Employment Authorization Document
• I-90 – Green Card Renewal (Replacement of Permanent Resident Card)
• I-751 – Removal of Conditions on Residence
• Naturalization (N-400) – US citizenship application
• Marriage-Based Green Card – Spousal permanent residence

See also: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List

US visa and work permit eligibility requirements for candidates

Eligibility varies widely by visa category; the table below compares the key requirements for the most common US visas and work permits.

See also: Self-Verify Global Employee Visa Eligibility in Minutes

Employer sponsorship & compliance requirements

1. Wage & Working Conditions (DOL: LCA) — H-1B, H-1B1, E-3

Employers must:

• Pay at least the prevailing wage
• Post notice to employees
• Maintain a Public Access File documenting compliance

2. Labor Market Testing (DOL: PERM) — EB-2 / EB-3

For most employment-based green cards, employers must:

• Run structured recruitment
• Show no qualified US worker is available
• Cover all PERM-related costs (cannot be passed to the employee)

3. Sponsorship Petitions (USCIS: I-129 & I-140)

• I-129 → Required for most temporary work visas
• I-140 → Required for most employer-sponsored green cards

These filings establish the job, wage, and the candidate’s qualifications.

4. Right-to-Work Verification (I-9) — For Every US Hire

Strict federal timelines apply:

• Section 1: Employee completes on Day 1
• Section 2: Employer reviews documents by Day 3

Deel automates I-9 workflows, DHS-authorized remote verification (for eligible E-Verify employers), reverification alerts, and secure storage.

5. US Entity Requirement — Except with an Employer of Record

To sponsor most US visas, employers must have a US legal entity.

Using Deel as an Employer of Record (EOR) allows companies to hire and onboard talent in the US compliantly without setting up an entity.

See also: Easy Visa Sponsorship for Exploring New International Markets

US work-permit application process (3 phases)

The US work-permit process follows three essential phases, each with its own employer and employee responsibilities.

PHASE 1 — Pre-Filing Preparation (Employer & Candidate)

Step 1: Define the role, wage, and location(s) of work

Every US visa classification depends on job requirements:

• What the employee will do
• Whether the role needs a degree or specialized skills
• Where the employee will work (affects wage requirements)

Deel helps ensure the role aligns with US regulatory expectations.

Step 2: Select the right visa strategy

The employer chooses the most suitable route (e.g., H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E-3), based on:

• Candidate nationality
• Timing and urgency
• Required skills
• Long-term plans (e.g., green card eligibility)

Step 3: Gather all employer and employee documents

This includes:

• Employer evidence: entity documents, org charts, financials (for I-140), proof of affiliate relationships (for L-1), job descriptions
• Employee evidence: passports, degrees, transcripts, credential evaluations, experience letters, awards, publications, CV

Deel manages the full checklist and document collection.

PHASE 2 — US Government Filings (DOL → USCIS)

Step 4: Complete required wage or labor market steps (DOL)

Depending on the visa:

For H-1B, E-3, H-1B1:

• File a Labor Condition Application (LCA)
• Confirm you will pay the prevailing wage
• Post notices for employees
• Create a Public Access File

For EB-2/EB-3 green cards:

• Begin PERM, which includes prevailing wage determination and recruitment

Step 5: Run recruitment (PERM-only)

(Required ONLY for EB-2/EB-3 green cards)

Employers must:

• Publish multiple job ads
• Post a state job order
• Allow a quiet period
• Evaluate US applicants
• Document why US applicants did or did not qualify

DOL uses this to ensure no qualified US worker is available.

Step 6: File the appropriate USCIS petition

After DOL steps are completed (if required), employers file:

• Form I-129 for temporary visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN)
• Form I-140 for green card categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3)

These filings prove:

• The job is real
• The wage is compliant
• The candidate meets visa requirements

Step 7: USCIS processes the petition (with possible RFEs)

USCIS may:

• Approve
• Deny
• Request more evidence (RFE)
• Conduct a site visit (common for H-1B and L-1)

Deel handles RFE responses and petition strategy.

PHASE 3 — Visa Issuance, Entry, and Onboarding (DOS/CBP → Employer)

Step 8: The employee completes the visa process

Depending on where they are:

• Outside the US: Attend a consular interview and receive a visa stamp
• Inside the US: File a change of status or extension

Canadians applying for TN can often do so directly at a port of entry.

Step 9: Travel to the US + receive I-94 (the work authorization record)

When the employee arrives in the US:

• CBP issues an I-94, which lists visa category + authorized stay dates
• The I-94 (not the visa stamp) controls when they may legally work

This is one of the most misunderstood but critical parts of US immigration.

Step 10: Complete mandatory Form I-9 verification (every US hire)

The I-9 is the US onboarding compliance form that verifies a worker’s identity and their legal right to work.

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Section 1 (Employee): Must be completed on their first day of employment
• Section 2 (Employer): Employer must review the employee’s documents and complete Section 2 by the end of their third business day

Employers must:

• Examine original documents
• Ensure they are valid
• Track expiration dates
• Reverify work authorization before it expires (when required)

Deel automates the entire I-9 workflow, including DHS-authorized remote verification for eligible E-Verify employers, secure storage, and reverification alerts.

See also: Application Guide for Enterprise Employee Visas

What does a US visa cost?

US visa costs vary significantly by category, government filing type, and whether the applicant is inside or outside the country. The table below outlines the key government fees for the most common US visas and work permits.

Temporary (Nonimmigrant) visas

Permanent (Immigrant) / Green Card Visas (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, NIW)

Other common filings

Deel’s filing fees include everything needed to move a case from eligibility check to final approval: expert attorney review, petition preparation, document collection, case management, and ongoing support for the employee and dependents. Pricing is flat and predictable so HR teams can budget confidently.

Is Deel Immigration the best choice for hiring in the US?

The US is one of the most complex immigration systems in the world — but Deel simplifies it from end to end. As a registered US visa sponsor with full Employer of Record (EOR) capabilities, Deel can hire and sponsor workers on your behalf, eliminating the need for a US entity and assuming all immigration liability.

Why companies choose Deel for US immigration

✓ Fast, accurate visa strategy

Deel’s immigration specialists deliver a tailored eligibility assessment within 48 hours, identifying the fastest, lowest-risk visa options (including TN, E-3, O-1, L-1, and cap-exempt pathways).

✓ End-to-end petition preparation

Deel manages the entire process for major US visas and green cards, including H-1B, TN, E-3, L-1A/B, O-1A/B, E-1/E-2, EB-1/2/3, Adjustment of Status, EADs, and more. We prepare every form, letter, and evidence package and coordinate directly with DOL, USCIS, and US consulates.

✓ Consular processing & visa-stamping support

Deel prepares DS-160 forms, coordinates consular appointments, provides interview preparation, and supports visa stamping and revalidation for employees and dependents.

✓ Remote I-9 verification for distributed teams

Deel offers DHS-authorized remote I-9 verification for eligible E-Verify employers, plus automated reverification reminders and audit-ready storage.

✓ Real-time case tracking

Employers and applicants receive:

• Live status updates
• Estimated completion timelines
• Personal notes from case managers
• Automated alerts for expirations and renewals

All accessible directly from the Deel dashboard.

✓ Fast-track submission options

For urgent hires, Deel can accelerate internal processing timelines (with optional government premium processing where available).

✓ A single platform for immigration + employment

Once the visa is approved, Deel supports the full employee lifecycle:

• US-compliant contracts
  Payroll across all 50 states
• Benefits, healthcare, retirement
• Background checks
• Equipment procurement and IT management
• Equity, perks, and coworking space
• HR workflows (onboarding, time off, engagement)

✓ Support through to permanent residence

Deel continues to guide employees through extensions, amendments, green card sponsorship, and even naturalization.

The result

A faster, clearer, fully supported US immigration experience — with one partner, one platform, and no uncertainty.

Hire employees in the US faster with Deel Immigration

Hiring in the US can feel overwhelming — overlapping agencies, strict compliance rules, fluctuating consular wait times, and ever-changing policies.

Deel removes the guesswork.

From rapid eligibility assessments to DOL and USCIS filings, expert petition building, I-9 verification, and real-time case tracking, Deel Immigration accelerates the entire US work authorization process.

Book a free consultation today to unlock faster US hiring with full compliance and full visibility.