US Work Visa – Complete Guide for UK Residents

If you are a UK resident planning to work in the US, here's what you should know about applying for a work visa, including visa types, who is eligible, how long it takes to process, costs, and getting sponsored.

• By 2024, over 10 million foreign people worked in the U.S. using employment visas.
• Currently, the H-1B cap  is still at 85,000, with 20,000 spots for those with a U.S. master’s degree.
• For UK applicants, the L-1 visa takes around 1–3 months to process, varying by service.
• The U.S. Embassy in London handles many work visa applications from UK workers yearly.
• Over 15% of UK people in the U.S. have work visas, mostly in tech, finance, and healthcare.

*Want guidance to apply for US work visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for comprehensive support with the process.

Why Work in the USA from the UK?

The United States remains a popular choice for skilled workers from the UK, thanks to its active job market, good salaries, and chances to work on a global scale. Whether your background is in tech, medicine, money, or creative fields, the U.S. provides great opportunities for career and personal growth.

Here are some reasons why UK citizens decide to work in the U.S.:

• Global Job Options: The U.S. has many major international companies, research centers, and new businesses.
• Better Pay: Pay in areas like IT, finance, and engineering is often higher than in the UK.
• Career Growth: You can gain access to the newest technology, top-quality facilities, and leadership positions.
• Varied Workplace: Workplaces are culturally diverse and welcoming across different fields.
• Path to Staying: Several U.S. work visas give options for permanent residency and citizenship.

The U.S. job market values talent and drive, making it an appealing place for UK professionals who want to advance their careers.

What is a US Work Visa?

A U.S. work visa is an official document that lets foreign citizens, including those from the UK, enter and work in the United States legally for a particular job and company. It is usually given for temporary work, but some visas can lead to permanent residency (Green Card).

To be eligible, people usually need a job offer from a U.S. employer, who will then sponsor the visa by sending a request to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the request is approved, the person applying needs to go to an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the UK to finish the visa process.

U.S. work visas are for specific jobs, so you can only work in the job and for the employer listed in your application. Common types include H-1B (specialty jobs), L-1 (transfers within a company), and O-1 (people with specific skills). Each visa type has its own rules, time period it is valid for, and work conditions.

Work Visa USA for UK Citizens

UK citizens require a valid U.S. work visa to legally work in the United States. These visas are not issued automatically and must be obtained before entering the U.S. for employment purposes.

All U.S. work visas require sponsorship from a U.S.-based employer. Common work visa options for UK citizens include:

• H-1B – For professionals in specialty occupations (STEM, Finance, Tech, etc.)
• L-1 – For intra-company transferees
• O-1 – For individuals with extraordinary ability
• E-2 – For investors (UK citizens are eligible)
• TN – Not applicable to UK citizens (only for Canadians and Mexicans)

Benefits of a US Work Visa for UK Citizens

Some of the benefits of a US Work Visa are given below.

• Legal authorization to work and live in the U.S.
• Entry to international firms and competitive employment opportunities.
• Chance to bring family members (spouse and children).
• Possible path to obtaining a U.S. Green Card.
• Experience with a varied and inventive group of workers.

Types of US Work Visas

The U.S. has many work visa choices for varied jobs, skills, and business aims. Professionals, company transfers, business owners, and experts can find a fitting visa.

The popular types of US work visa are:

• USA H-1B Visa
• L-1 Visa
• O-1 Visa
• E-2 Visa
• TN Visa – Professionals under USMCA
• H-2B Visa
• Green Card Through Employment (EB Visas)

Common US Work Visas for UK Citizens

H-1B Visa – Skilled Workers (Specialty Occupations)

The H-1B visa lets foreign professionals with skills in areas needing theory or tech get a job in the U.S. People from the UK who have job offers in fields like IT, engineering, finance, architecture, math, medicine, or law can apply if the job usually needs a bachelor's degree.

Here are some important things to know:

• To get this visa, a U.S. company needs to sponsor you. The employer has to submit Form I-129 to USCIS for the person applying.
• Each year, there are only 85,000 visas available. Of these, 20,000 are for people who have a master's degree from a U.S. school.
• The visa is good for up to 3 years and can be extended to 6 years.
• An H-1B visa can be a way to get a Green Card since many people with this visa end up becoming permanent residents.

Due to the popularity of the visa, the applicants are selected through a lottery.

L-1 Visa – Intra-Company Transfers

The L-1 visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa that lets companies with offices in both the UK and the U.S. move certain workers to their U.S. offices. It works well for global companies who want to move staff in management, executive, or specialist positions.

There are two types:

• L-1A: For managers and executives; it can last up to 7 years.
• L-1B: For workers with special knowledge; it can last up to 5 years.

To qualify, an employee should have worked for the company outside the U.S. for at least a year within the last three years. Also, the U.S. company must be a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch of the foreign company.

The L-1 visa has no yearly limit and can lead to a green card through the EB-1C category. Big companies often use it to help move talent within the company.

O-1 Visa – Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

The O-1 visa lets people with skills or success come to the U.S. to work. It's for those known nationally or worldwide in fields like science, education, business, sports, arts, movies, and TV.

To qualify:

• You need a U.S. sponsor (like an employer) and proof of your achievements, such as awards, articles you have written, news about you, or important roles in big projects.
• The visa usually lasts as long as your event or project, up to 3 years. You can extend it yearly.
• There are also O-2 visas for support staff and O-3 visas for family members (spouse and kids).
• The O-1 visa suits professionals, artists, and performers who want to work in the U.S. temporarily on important projects.

E-2 Visa – Investors and Entrepreneurs

The E-2 visa gives British citizens a chance to live and be employed in the U.S. by investing a large sum in a U.S. company. Because the UK has an E-2 treaty in place with the U.S., British business owners and investors who meet the rules can use this visa to start or buy a business here.

Key features:

• There's no set minimum for how much you must invest, but it must be enough to run the business. Usually, people expect at least $100,000.
• The investor needs to own at least half of the business and run it directly.
• The E-2 visa is good for up to five years and can be renewed as many times as needed if the business keeps running and follows the rules.
• Spouses can apply for work in USA, and children under 21 can go to school.

The E-2 visa is a helpful option for British business people who want to grow overseas and run a business in the U.S.

TN Visa – Professionals under USMCA (for comparison)

The TN visa is a non-immigrant work visa that came about from the USMCA (previously NAFTA). It lets eligible Canadian and Mexican professionals work in the U.S. in certain fields like engineering, science, accounting, and teaching.

Though those from the UK can't get a TN visa, it is often compared to the H-1B visa because it's faster to process, has no yearly limit, and needs less paperwork.

Here are some important things to know:

• It is only for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
• You have to have a job lined up in one of the 60+ USMCA-approved fields.
• It usually lasts up to 3 years and can be renewed as many times as you want.
• You do not need labor certification or to enter an H-1B lottery.

H-2B Visa – Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers

The H-2B visa is a U.S. non-immigrant work visa for people doing temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work. It lets U.S. companies hire foreign workers if they can't find enough qualified Americans to fill the jobs. These positions are often in areas like hospitality, landscaping, building, tourism, and food service.

Important points:

Companies have to show that the need for workers is truly temporary—meaning it's seasonal, due to a short-term peak in business, intermittent, or a one-time event.

• There's a limit of 66,000 visas each year, divided into two parts for each half of the government's financial year.
• Citizens of the UK can generally apply if their job offer meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of Labor and USCIS.
• The visa lasts for up to a year and can be extended in some situations, but the total stay can't be longer than three years.
• Family members (spouses and children) can come with the worker on H-4 visas, but they are not permitted to work.
• The H-2B visa gives UK workers a lawful way to get work experience in the U.S. in industries that depend on seasonal workers.

Green Card through Employment (EB Visas)

The Employment-Based (EB) Green Card lets foreign people, such as UK citizens, live and work in the United States for good if they have a good job offer or have done well in their field. It's a type of immigrant visa, so it can result in permanent residency in the U.S.

There are different EB visa types:

• EB-1: For people who are very good at what they do, top professors or researchers, and executives or managers who work for global companies.
• EB-2: For workers who have advanced degrees or are very skilled in their field. Usually, you need a labor certification unless you're asking for a National Interest Waiver.
• EB-3: For trained workers, workers with a bachelor's degree, and other types of workers.

Things to know:

• Most types require a job offer and PERM labor certification. The employer has to show that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job.
• Once it is approved, people can change their status if they are already in the U.S., or they can go through consular processing in the UK.
• Green Cards usually last for 10 years and can be renewed. After five years of permanent residency, people can apply for U.S. citizenship.

The EB visa option is suitable for UK workers who want to live and work in the U.S. for a long time.

Eligibility Criteria for a US Work Visa

The table below has the list of eligibility criteria for US Work Visa:

US Work Visa Requirements for UK Applicants

The documents required to apply for US Work Visa are given below.

• Passport with more than six months of validity remaining
• Completed DS-160 visa application
• Visa appointment confirmation and MRV fee receipt
• Approved Form I-797 (if relevant)
• Job offer letter, resume, and documentation of educational and work experience
• Proof of ties to the UK or intention to follow U.S. laws

The table below has details of the documents required for a US work visa: 

US Work Visa Fees from the UK

Detailed information about the fees for US Work Visa are given below.

US Work Visa Processing Time from the UK

Detailed information about the processing times for US Work Visa is given below.

The table below has a detailed breakdown of the processing times for a US work visa at different stages: 

How to Apply for a US Work Visa from the UK?

The process to apply for a US Work Visa is given below.

Step 1: Employer files Form I-129 with USCIS on your behalf.
Step 2: Receive petition approval notice (Form I-797).
Step 3: Complete the DS-160 visa application form online.
Step 4: Pay the MRV visa fee ($205 for most categories).
Step 5: Schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in the UK.
Step 6: Attend the biometrics appointment and visa interview.
Step 7: Wait for visa stamping and receive passport back.

Can You Bring Your Family on a US Work Visa?

Spouses and dependent children (under 21) of the principal visa holder can apply for dependent visas:

• H-4 Visa: For dependents of H-1B holders. H-4 spouses generally cannot work unless eligible under specific conditions.
• L-2 Visa: For dependents of L-1 holders. L-2 spouses can apply for employment authorization.

Note: Each dependent must submit a separate visa application and attend their own visa interview (where applicable).

Green Card Pathways Through US Work Visas

A lot of US work visas can lead to getting a Green Card.

• Those with H-1B visas can switch to EB-2 or EB-3 Green Cards.
• People holding L-1A visas can apply for the EB-1C Green Card as managers for global companies.

A PERM labor certification might be needed, and then you'll have to file Form I-140 and an Adjustment of Status application. Eventually, those with work visas can become permanent residents and then apply to become US citizens.

Tips for a Successful US Work Visa Application from the UK

• Begin the process early to accommodate the schedules of both USCIS and the embassy.
• Make sure your employer submits a carefully prepared petition.
• Carefully check your DS-160 form to avoid mistakes.
• Practice your visa interview and give direct, easy-to-understand, answers.
• Have your financial and academic documents ready and well-organized.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis assists UK professionals in their U.S. work transition. We guide you through each visa process stage, from readying documents to providing support after you arrive.

Our services include:

• Identify the most suitable visa category based on your profile and job role
• Guide your employer through the Form I-129 and LCA process
• Assist with the DS-160 application and document checklist
• Schedule visa interview and provide mock interview sessions
• Track petition and visa processing status to ensure timely updates