US work visas for Australian citizens

Special visa exclusively for Australian citizens - similar to H-1B but with dedicated quota and easier process.

Processing time

2-4 weeks (no USCIS petition needed - apply directly at embassy)

Validity

2 years, renewable indefinitely

Government fees

$315 visa application fee only

Requirements

• Australian citizenship (not just PR)
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent
• Job offer in specialty occupation
• Employer files Labor Condition Application (LCA)
• English proficiency (native speakers exempt)

Documents you will need

• Australian passport: Proof of Australian citizenship
• DS-160 confirmation: Visa application form
• LCA approval (ETA 9035): From Department of Labor
• Degree certificates: Bachelor's or higher
• Job offer letter: Detailed position and salary

Worth knowing

• Dedicated quota of 10,500 visas per year - rarely exhausted
• NO lottery required - major advantage over H-1B
• Can apply directly at US Embassy - no USCIS petition needed
• Spouse (E-3D) can work with automatic EAD
• Much faster and simpler process than H-1B
• Can renew indefinitely as long as job continues

Restrictions

• Must maintain specialty occupation employment
• Changing employers requires new LCA and visa

Path to residency: Employer can sponsor for EB-2/EB-3 green card

Primary work visa for specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

Processing time

3-6 months (Premium Processing: 15 business days for $2,965)

Validity

Initially 3 years, extendable up to 6 years total

Government fees

$780 I-129 (std; $460 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $750/$1,500 ACWIA + $600 Asylum Program Fee + $215 registration + optional $2,965 premium; $205 visa fee

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in specialty field
• Job offer from US employer in specialty occupation
• Employer files Labor Condition Application (LCA)
• Selected in annual lottery (if cap-subject)
• Position requires specialized knowledge

Documents you will need

• Valid passport: Must be valid for 6+ months beyond intended stay
• DS-160 confirmation: Online nonimmigrant visa application
• Form I-797 approval notice: H-1B petition approval from USCIS
• Bachelor's degree transcripts: Official transcripts showing degree completion
• Employment offer letter: Detailed job offer with salary and responsibilities
• Resume/CV: Comprehensive work history
• Credential evaluation (optional): Required if degree from outside US

Worth knowing

• H-1B cap is 65,000 regular + 20,000 for US master's holders
• Lottery typically in March for October start
• Cap-exempt employers (universities, nonprofits) can file anytime
• H-4 dependent visa for spouse; H-4 EAD available if H-1B holder has approved I-140
• Start green card process early to extend beyond 6 years
• Green card wait times are relatively short for your nationality

Restrictions

• Tied to specific employer - changing jobs requires new petition
• Cannot be self-employed
• 6-year maximum unless green card in process
• Layoff means finding new sponsor quickly or leaving

Path to residency: Employer sponsors for PERM → I-140 → green card (EB-2/EB-3)

For individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, or athletics.

Processing time

2-4 months (Premium: 15 business days)

Validity

Up to 3 years, renewable in 1-year increments

Government fees

$1,055 I-129 (std; $530 small employer) + $600 Asylum Program Fee + optional $2,965 premium; $205 visa fee

Requirements

• Sustained national or international acclaim
• Meet at least 3 of 8 criteria for extraordinary ability
• Coming to US to work in area of extraordinary ability
• Advisory opinion from peer group or labor organization

Documents you will need

• Evidence of awards/prizes (optional): National or international recognition
• Published articles about you (optional): Media coverage in major publications
• Evidence of judging others' work (optional): Panel judge, reviewer, etc.
• Original contributions documentation (optional): Patents, significant innovations
• Scholarly articles authored (optional): Publications in professional journals
• High salary documentation (optional): Evidence of high remuneration
• Membership in associations (optional): Requiring outstanding achievement
• Peer letters: 5-10 letters from industry experts

Worth knowing

• No annual cap - can apply anytime
• Strong for senior professionals with patents, publications, speaking
• GitHub stars, Stack Overflow reputation can count as evidence
• Document everything: conference talks, press mentions, awards
• Often faster than H-1B for accomplished individuals

Path to residency: Can self-petition for EB-1A green card

For executives and managers transferring within a multinational company.

Processing time

3-6 months (Premium available)

Validity

Up to 7 years maximum

Government fees

$1,385 I-129 (std; $695 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $4,500 (employers 50+ staff & >50% H/L) + $600 Asylum Program Fee + optional $2,965 premium

Requirements

• Worked for qualifying foreign company for 1 continuous year in past 3 years
• Transferring to US parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch
• Executive or managerial capacity
• US entity must be doing business

Documents you will need

• Form I-129 with L supplement: Petition filed by US entity
• Proof of qualifying relationship: Between US and foreign entities
• Employment verification letters: From foreign employer
• Organizational charts: Showing managerial role and structure
• Company documentation: Articles of incorporation, annual reports

Worth knowing

• No lottery or annual cap
• Blanket L-1 available for large multinationals
• L-2 spouse can work immediately with EAD
• Direct path to EB-1C green card (no PERM required)

Path to residency: EB-1C green card - no labor certification needed

For specialized knowledge employees transferring within a multinational company.

Processing time

3-6 months

Validity

Up to 5 years maximum

Government fees

$1,385 I-129 (std; $695 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $600 Asylum Program Fee + optional $2,965 premium

Requirements

• Worked for qualifying foreign company for 1 year in past 3 years
• Specialized knowledge of company products, services, or procedures
• Transferring to US affiliate

Documents you will need

• Form I-129 with L supplement: Petition from US entity
• Specialized knowledge evidence: Training, projects, expertise documentation
• Employment verification: From foreign employer

Worth knowing

• Good for tech employees at multinationals
• No lottery required
• L-2 spouse can work
• Stricter scrutiny than L-1A in recent years

Path to residency: EB-2/EB-3 green card (requires PERM)