US Visa Sponsorship Requirements: Documents, Fees and Rules (2026)

Step 2 of 3: Requirements

Almost every US work route starts with one thing: a US employer or program sponsor that files for you. For the H-1B, the job must need at least a bachelor's degree, and the employer's lottery registration costs $215 as of the FY2027 season. The next page shows the application steps in order.

Which route are you most interested in? Tap it to see the steps.

Which visa route fits you?

✅ The basics for every route

Whatever visa you aim for, you'll usually need these things in place first:

• A valid passport
• A real job offer from a US employer, or a place on a program with a designated J-1 sponsor
• The education, training or experience the job asks for
• An approved petition or certification where the route needs one, filed by the employer, not by you
• An honest immigration history, with no past overstays you haven't disclosed

📋 Requirements route by route (as of 2026)

H-1B (specialty jobs)

• The job must need at least a bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in a directly related field
• Your employer registers you in the yearly lottery; if selected, it files a petition with USCIS
• The employer must pay the higher of the actual wage or the prevailing wage for the job and area
• Stays are generally up to 3 years at first, and up to 6 years in total

H-2A and H-2B (temporary and seasonal)

• The job must be temporary or seasonal; H-2A is farm work, H-2B is non-farm work
• The employer must first get a temporary labor certification from the Department of Labor
• Since 17 January 2025, workers can come from any country, as the old eligible-country list no longer applies
• The maximum stay is generally 3 years, and H-2B has a yearly cap of 66,000

EB-3 (green card through a job)

• You need a permanent, full-time job offer from a US employer
• Skilled workers need at least 2 years of training or experience; professionals need a US bachelor's degree or foreign equivalent
• The employer usually needs an approved DOL labor certification; professional nurses and physical therapists are exempt from that step under Schedule A

J-1 and TN

For a J-1, you apply through a State Department designated sponsor that runs your program, such as an intern, trainee, teacher or au pair program. The TN is only for Canadian and Mexican citizens in a USMCA profession with a prearranged job.

Know your route? The next page walks you through applying, one step at a time.

📄 Documents to get ready

Your employer or sponsor will tell you exactly what they need, but these come up again and again:

• Your passport, valid well beyond your planned stay
• Degree certificates and transcripts, if your job needs a degree
• Letters from past employers showing your experience and dates
• A US-style resume: no photo, focused on results
• Professional licenses where the job needs one, such as nursing
• For J-1: the program documents your sponsor issues, and proof you paid the SEVIS fee

🗣️ Do you need an English test?

There is no single English test for all US work visas. In practice, employers check your English at interview, and some jobs and licenses have their own rules.

For example, USCIS notes that H-2B commercial motor vehicle operators now have English proficiency requirements. J-1 sponsors set their own program requirements, so check with yours.

💵 Costs and who pays what (as of 2026)

Fees change often. Always check the latest amount on uscis.gov, ice.gov or travel.state.gov before paying anything, and pay only through official channels.

Ready to move forward? See the steps, from finding a sponsor to the visa interview.

⚠️ Common reasons applications fail

• Not selected in the H-1B lottery. This is the most common outcome, and nobody can buy you a better chance.
• The job doesn't need a related degree. USCIS can deny an H-1B if the role isn't a true specialty occupation.
• Degree or experience doesn't match. Your qualifications must fit the exact job on the petition.
• Missing proof. Experience letters without dates or duties, or untranslated documents, slow things down.
• Banned fees. USCIS can deny or revoke an H-2A or H-2B petition if workers were charged prohibited fees.
• Cap already reached. H-2B petitions arriving after a half-year cap is full can be rejected.

❓ Quick answers

On the next page: the 6 steps from checking real sponsors to the visa interview, plus how to spot fake job offers and visa scams.

🌍 More work-abroad guides

Comparing countries? These guides explain other employer-sponsored routes.

Disclaimer: This is an independent information website. We are not an employer, recruitment agency, immigration adviser or lawyer, and we are not connected to USCIS or any US government agency. We don't hire, sponsor or place anyone, and we don't collect applications. Visa rules and fees change often, so always check the official government sites (uscis.gov, travel.state.gov, dol.gov) before you act. Never pay anyone for a job offer or a "guaranteed" visa.