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Most work visas — H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN — are employer-specific, meaning you can only legally work for the sponsoring employer. The H-1B covers specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or equivalent (technology, engineering, finance, healthcare). The L-1 is for employees transferring within the same international company. The O-1 is for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field. The TN is available only to Canadian and Mexican citizens under USMCA. EADs (Employment Authorization Documents) differ from all of these — they let you work for any employer, change jobs freely, and even be self-employed. The right visa depends on your education, employer relationship, nationality, and long-term goals. We identify your best pathway during a free consultation.

It varies significantly by visa type: TN visa for Canadians at a port of entry can be approved the same day. Premium Processing for H-1B, L-1, and O-1 costs $2,805 but guarantees a USCIS decision in 15 business days. Standard H-1B, L-1, and O-1 processing typically takes 3–6 months. EAD (work permit) processing runs 3–6 months, sometimes longer during high-volume periods. E-2 investor visa consular processing is 2–4 months. We always recommend starting the process as early as possible — especially for H-1B, which has a March registration deadline each year.

The H-1B cap allows only 65,000 new H-1B visas per year, plus 20,000 for U.S. master's degree holders — 85,000 total. In recent years, between 400,000 and 780,000 people have registered, meaning selection rates of roughly 15–25%. USCIS runs a random lottery each March to select who may file. If you hold a U.S. master's degree or higher, you get two chances in the lottery (the advanced degree pool and the general cap pool). If not selected, you must wait a full year to try again. This is why we also develop backup strategies: cap-exempt H-1B positions (universities, nonprofits), O-1 for extraordinary ability, L-1 for intracompany transfers, or TN for Canadian and Mexican nationals. You should never rely only on the lottery.

This depends on your visa type. H-1B holders can change employers through a process called AC21 portability — your new employer files a new H-1B petition and, once filed, you can start working for them (no need to wait for approval, as long as you were in valid H-1B status). If your I-140 green card petition has been approved or pending for 180+ days, you can even move to a "same or similar" job at a different company without a new H-1B. L-1 holders cannot transfer their L-1 to a new employer — the L-1 is tied to your specific company relationship. O-1 holders need a new petition from the new employer. TN holders need a new TN application for the new employer. EAD holders can change jobs freely with no USCIS filing required. Call us before making any move — a wrong step can create a gap in your work authorization.

Travel on a work visa is generally permitted but requires careful planning. You must have a valid visa stamp in your passport to re-enter the U.S. (your I-797 approval notice is not a visa). If your visa stamp has expired, you'll need to attend a visa interview at a U.S. consulate abroad before returning. Some countries have faster consulate appointments than others — this is worth planning in advance. H-1B, L-1, and O-1 holders should also be aware that travel during a pending extension can create complications. Canadians on TN visas can simply re-apply at the border each time. We recommend confirming your travel plans with us before booking any international trip.

Yes, in most cases. H-1B holders can bring their spouse and unmarried children under 21 on H-4 dependent visas. H-4 spouses may be eligible for their own EAD work permit if the H-1B holder has an approved I-140 green card petition. L-1 holders' spouses automatically receive work authorization (L-2 visa grants EAD). O-1 dependents (O-3) cannot work in the U.S. TN dependents (TD) cannot work either. E-2 spouses are eligible for work authorization. If your spouse wants to work, the visa category you choose can significantly affect their options — we factor this into our visa strategy.

An RFE is not a denial — it is USCIS asking for additional documentation or clarification before making a decision. They are common for H-1B (specialty occupation questions), O-1 (extraordinary ability evidence), and L-1 (specialized knowledge). You typically have 87 days to respond. A comprehensive, well-argued RFE response can turn a likely denial into an approval. Our RFE response approval rate is 94%. The most important thing is not to rush or submit an incomplete response. We review every RFE carefully, identify the specific concern, gather targeted evidence, and submit a persuasive legal argument. If you receive an RFE from a prior attorney's case, we can take over and respond on your behalf.