The US Green Card Lottery Program, known as DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery program, is a good opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain the status as a permanent legal resident of the USA. You may apply by yourself at the U.S. Department of State website, if you wish. This program runs each year and provides 50,000 "Green Cards" to applicants randomly selected in a lottery process.
H-1B: Work Visa for Professional Workers
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa which allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
H-1B: WORK VISA FOR PROFESSIONALS GUIDE
Learn how to go about getting H-1B visa which allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations.
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Specialty Occupation
A "specialty occupation" requires specialized knowledge along with at least a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. Specialty occupations include:
architecture
modeling
engineering
mathematics
physical sciences
social sciences
medicine and health
education
business specialties
accounting
law
theology
the arts
Sponsoring Employer
H-1B status requires a sponsoring U.S. employer. An H-1B visa holder may only work for the petitioning U.S. employer and only in the activities described in the petition. As an H-1B visa holder, you may work for more than one U.S. employer with an approved petition.
Application
The employer must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with the Department of Labor which shows that:
the prevailing wage rate for that area of employment will be paid
the working conditions of the position will not adversely affect conditions for similarly employed American workers, and
the place of employment is not experiencing a labor dispute involving a strike or lockout
Length of Stay
A foreign national worker may stay in the U.S. for three years, with possible extension to six years.
Numerical Limit
There is a limit on the number of H-1B visas issued each year (The current limit is 65,000.) However, H-1B visa holders who work at universities and non-profit research institutions may be exempt from the cap.
