Visa Typestion

Visa Types We Handle

We explore all your immigration options and coordinate multiple visa types as one integrated strategy

Whether you need seasonal workers, specialized professionals, permanent employees, or family immigration support—we handle the complete range of work authorization and family-based visas.

Visa Typestion illustration

Visa Typestion

Visa Types We Handle

We explore all your immigration options and coordinate multiple visa types as one integrated strategy

Whether you need seasonal workers, specialized professionals, permanent employees, or family immigration support—we handle the complete range of work authorization and family-based visas.

Visa Typestion illustration

Visa Typestion

Visa Types We Handle

We explore all your immigration options and coordinate multiple visa types as one integrated strategy

Whether you need seasonal workers, specialized professionals, permanent employees, or family immigration support—we handle the complete range of work authorization and family-based visas.

Visa Typestion illustration
Seasonal Workers
Seasonal Workers

H-2A Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visa

Temporary work authorization for seasonal agricultural workers—NO ANNUAL CAP

Annual Cap

66,000/year

Housing

Required by employer

H-2A vs H-2B: Key Differences
H-2A vs H-2B: Key Differences
Feature
H-2A (Agriculture)
H-2B (Non-Ag)

Annual Cap

NONE ✓

66,000

Duration

Up to 12 months

Up to 10 months

Housing

Required

Not required

Work Type

Ag/nursery work

Landscaping/quarry

Filing Lead Time

75-90 days before

120 days before

Who this is for:
  • Farms & agricultural ops

  • Nursery/greenhouse ops

  • Crop harvesting & planting

  • Crop maintenance workers

Requirerements:
  • Job is agricultural work

  • Seasonal or temporary need

  • Employer provides housing

  • Transportation assistance

  • Required wage rate

Benefits:
  • NO annual cap (huge advantage!)

  • Workers return year after year

  • Reliable seasonal workforce

  • Families visit on B-2

  • Best workers → green cards

H-2B Process Flow
1

Job Order

2

Recruitment

3

DOL Certify

4

USCIS Approve

5

Worker Arrives

No Annual Cap

Unlike H-2B's 66,000 annual cap, H-2A has NO LIMIT on the number of workers. If your operation qualifies for H-2A (agricultural work), this eliminates lottery uncertainty.

Dual Operations

Many landscaping companies don't realize they can file H-2As for nursery/greenhouse production AND H-2Bs for landscaping installation—we coordinate both programs as one integrated strategy.

Seasonal Workers
Seasonal Workers

H-2B Seasonal Non-Agricultural Worker Visa

Temporary work authorization for seasonal non-agricultural workers when U.S. workers are unavailable

Annual Cap

66,000/year

Duration

Up to 3 years

Who this is for:
  • Landscaping companies

  • Stone quarries

  • Tree care operations

  • Hospitality/tourism

  • Construction firms

Requirerements:
  • One-time or seasonal need

  • Job can't be permanent

  • U.S. worker recruitment

  • Prevailing wage

Benefits:
  • Reliable seasonal workforce

  • Workers return year after year

  • Cap-exempt returning workers

  • Green card pathway available

H-2B Process Flow
H-2B Process Flow
1

Prevailing Wage

2

File Petition

3

DOL Certify

4

USCIS Approve

5

Worker Arrives

Returning Worker Advantage

Workers who worked H-2B in the U.S. in the past 3 years are cap-exempt. Build a reliable returning workforce that doesn't count against the annual 66,000 cap.

Why We're Different

We manage complete H-2B programs with strategic timing, consistent job descriptions across years, and planning for green card transitions to reduce cap dependency.

Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence

EB-3 Employment-Based Green Card

Temporary work authorization for seasonal agricultural workers—NO ANNUAL CAP

Who?

2+ yrs exp OR degree

Result

Permanent green card

Skilled Worker

2+ years job experience

  • Equipment operators

  • Experienced laborers

  • Crew leads

Professional

Bachelor's degree required

  • Engineers

  • Accountants

  • Architects

Other Worker

Less than 2 years experience

  • General laborers

  • Entry-level positions

Who this is for:
  • H-2B workers you want permanent

  • Experienced equipment operators

  • Skilled laborers (2+ years)

  • Professionals with degrees

Requirerements:
  • PERM Labor Certification (6-12 mos

  • I-140 Immigrant Petition (4-6 mos)

  • Adjustment of Status (12-18 mos

  • Employer sponsorship required

Benefits:
  • Permanent residence

  • Work for any employer

  • Path to citizenship (5 years)

  • Family gets green cards too

H-2B Process Flow
H-2B Process Flow
1

PERM Filing

2

I-140 Petition

3

Wait for Date

4

Adjustment

5

Green Card

Transition H-2B to Permanent

Reward your best returning H-2B workers with EB-3 green cards. Build loyalty, reduce annual recruitment costs, and create a stable permanent workforce.

Workforce Planning

Identify your top 3-5 returning H-2B workers. Start their green card process in year 2-3. By year 5-6, you have a permanent core team that trains seasonal workers each year.

Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence

EB-2 Employment-Based Green Card

Permanent residence for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability

Who?

Master's+ or exceptional

Result

Permanent green card

Who this is for:
  • Engineers & researchers

  • Technical specialists

  • Professionals with master's degrees

  • Those with exceptional ability

Requirerements:
  • Advanced degree (Master's+)

  • OR exceptional ability

  • Employer sponsorship (PERM)

  • OR National Interest Waiver (NIW)

Benefits:
  • Permanent residence

  • Faster than EB-3

  • Work anywhere

  • Path to citizenship

National Interest Waiver (NIW)

In some cases, the PERM labor certification can be waived if the work is in the U.S. national interest. This eliminates the lengthy recruitment process.

Two Pathways

EB-2 PERM requires employer sponsorship. EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) allows self-petition for those whose work benefits U.S. national interest—no employer needed.

Permanent Residence
Permanent Residence

PERM Labor Certification

Required first step for EB-2 and EB-3 green cards. DOL certification that no qualified U.S. workers are available for the position.

Cap

N/A (prerequisite)

Valid for

180 days after approval

PERM Process:
PERM Process:
1

Prevailing Wage

2

Recruitment

3

PERM filing

4

DOL approval

Professionals
Professionals

TN NAFTA Professional Visa

Fast work authorization for Canadian and Mexican professionals—NO CAP, NO LOTTERY

Processing

WEEKS (not months!)

Cost

Lower than H-1B

Renweability

Unlimited 3-year renewals

Why TN is Better Than H-1B for Eligible Canadians/Mexicans
Why TN is Better Than H-1B for Eligible Canadians/Mexicans
Feature
TN Visa
H-1B Visa

Annual Cap

NO CAP ✓

85,000

Processing

Weeks

Months

Lottery

NO

YES (March)

Prevailing Wage

NO

YES

Duration

3 years

3 years

Renewability

Unlimited

6 years max

Eligibility

CAN/MEX only

All countries

Who this is for:
  • Stone quarries needing engineers

  • Mining engineers & geologists

  • Canadian or Mexican professionals

  • Architects & landscape architects

Requirerements:
  • Canadian or Mexican citizenship

  • Job in NAFTA profession list

  • Relevant degree or credentials

  • U.S. employer job offer

Benefits:
  • NO annual cap

  • NO lottery

  • Processing in weeks

  • Lower cost than H-1B

  • Unlimited renewals

TN Process Flow
1

Job offer

2

Border or I-129

3

Start Working

Perfect for Quarries

Need a mining engineer or geologist? If they're Canadian or Mexican, TN is often faster, cheaper, and more reliable than H-1B.

Dual Intent

TN is NOT a "dual intent" visa—can't have immigrant intent at time of application. However, can pursue green card later once in TN status.

Professional
Professional

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa

Temporary work authorization for professionals in specialty occupations requiring bachelor's degree or higher

Annual cap

85,000

Duration

3 years (6 max)

Who this is for:
  • Engineers and architects

  • IT professionals

  • Accountants and analysts

  • Scientists and researchers

Requirerements:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent

  • Job requires specialized knowledge

  • Employer files petition

  • LCA approval from DOL

  • Selected in lottery (if cap-subject)

Benefits:
  • Work for U.S. employer

  • Dual intent (can pursue GC)

  • Spouse can apply for H-4

  • Path to EB-2/EB-3 green card

H-1B Process Flow
H-1B Process Flow
1

LCA Filing

2

Lottery (March)

3

Petition Filing

4

USCIS Review

5

Start Work

Lottery System

H-1B is subject to an annual lottery each March. For cap-exempt employers or Canadian/Mexican professionals, consider TN visa as an alternative.

Professionals
Professionals

H-4 Dependent Visa

Allows spouses and children of H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B workers to join them in the U.S.

For

Spouse & children

Tied to

Principal's status

Work

Limited (H-1B spouse)

Who this is for:
  • Spouses of H-1B/H-2A/H-2B workers

  • Unmarried children under 21

  • Family reunification during work period

Requirerements:
  • Married to H visa holder

  • Or child under 21

  • Principal maintains valid status

Benefits:
  • Live with worker in U.S.

  • Study in the U.S.

  • H-4 EAD for H-1B spouses (with I-140)

  • Family stability

Why This Matters

Family stability = workforce stability. Workers who can have their families visit or live with them are more productive and more likely to return season after season.

Family
Family

CR-1/IR-1 Spouse Visa

Temporary work authorization for seasonal agricultural workers—NO ANNUAL CAP

Where?

U.S. citizens anywhere

Result

Permanent residence on arrival

CR-1 Spouse Visa vs K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
CR-1 Spouse Visa vs K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa
Feature
CR-1 Spouse
K-1 Fiancé(e)

Status

Already married

Not yet married

Process

1-step process

2-step process

Result on Arrival

Green card

Must marry in 90 days

Total Timeline

12-18 months

18-30 months

Work Authorization

Immediate

Must apply separately

Who this is for:
  • U.S. citizens living abroad

  • U.S. citizens in the U.S.

  • Already married couples

  • Same-sex marriages

Requirerements:
  • Valid marriage

  • Petitioner is U.S. citizen

  • Financial support affidavit

  • Medical exam & interview

Benefits:
  • Green card upon arrival

  • Work immediately

  • Path to citizenship (3 yrs)

  • One-step process

CR-1/IR-1 Process Flow
CR-1/IR-1 Process Flow
1

File I-130

2

USCIS Approval

3

NVC Process

4

Embassy Interview

Direct Consular Filing

For U.S. citizens living abroad in qualifying urgent situations, we can reduce timeline from 12-18 months to just WEEKS through Direct Consular Filing (DCF).

Family
Family

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

Bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry within 90 days

Requirement

Marry in 90 days

Then

Adjust status

Who this is for:
  • U.S. citizens engaged to foreign nationals

  • Couples who want to marry in the U.S.

  • Couples who've met in person (within 2 years)

Requirerements:
  • Petitioner is U.S. citizen

  • Both free to marry

  • Met in person within 2 years

  • Intent to marry within 90 days

Benefits:
  • Fiancé(e) can enter U.S.

  • Marry on U.S. soil

  • Then adjust to green card

H-1B Process Flow
H-1B Process Flow
1

LCA Filing

2

Lottery (March)

3

Petition Filing

4

USCIS Review

5

Start Work

Two-Step Process

K-1 requires marriage in U.S. within 90 days, then adjustment of status (green card application). CR-1 is typically faster overall and grants green card on arrival.

Family
Family

IR-5 Parent of U.S. Citizen

U.S. citizens age 21+ can sponsor their parents for green cards. Parents are immediate relatives with no annual cap or waiting period.

For

Parents of U.S. citizens (21+)

Result

Permanent green card

Family
Family

IR-2/CR-2 Child of U.S. Citizen

Green card for unmarried children (under 21) of U.S. citizens. IR-2 for children of citizens married 2+ years; CR-2 for children of recently married citizens.

For

Unmarried children under 21

Result

Permanent green card

Complex Cases

Complex custody situations, step-parent adoptions, and consent issues require careful legal strategy. We handle these sensitive cases with experience and care.

Family
Family

F-2A Family Preference Visa

Green card for spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents. Subject to annual caps with wait times.

For

Spouse/children of GC holders

Result

Permanent green card

Visa Bulletin Dependent

F-2A category has annual limits and priority dates. Wait times vary by country. We provide strategic guidance on timing and visa bulletin tracking.

Compare All Visa Types

Quick reference to help you understand your options

Visa
Category
CAP?
Timeline
Duration
For Whom

H-2A

Seasonal

NO ✓

3 mos

12 mos

Ag workers

H-2B

Seasonal

YES

6 mos

10 mos

Non-ag seasonal

TN

Professional

NO ✓

Weeks

3 years

CAN/MEX pros

H-1B

Professional

YES

6 mos

3 years

Degree professionals

EB-2

Permanent

NO ✓

2-3 yrs

Forever

Advanced degree

EB-3

Permanent

NO ✓

2-4 yrs

Forever

Skilled workers

CR-1/IR-1

Family

NO ✓

12-18 mos

Forever

Spouses

K-1

Family

NO ✓

6-12 mos

90 days

Fiancé(e)s

Ready to Get Started?

We explore all your options and recommend the best strategy for your specific situation

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Practice limited to U.S. immigration and nationality law. Admitted to practice law in California. Permitted to practice in all immigration courts in the United States and all consulates in the world.

Copyright 2024, Denizen Immigration PC, Privacy Policy

Practice limited to U.S. immigration and nationality law. Admitted to practice law in California. Permitted to practice in all immigration courts in the United States and all consulates in the world.

Copyright 2024, Denizen Immigration PC, Privacy Policy

Practice limited to U.S. immigration and nationality law. Admitted to practice law in California. Permitted to practice in all immigration courts in the United States and all consulates in the world.

Copyright 2024, Denizen Immigration PC, Privacy Policy

Practice limited to U.S. immigration and nationality law. Admitted to practice law in California. Permitted to practice in all immigration courts in the United States and all consulates in the world.

Copyright 2024, Denizen Immigration PC, Privacy Policy