Qualified job seekers continue to flock to the United States tech industry. In 2025, software engineers, developers, data scientists, cybersecurity specialists, and other IT professionals can still find the United States a destination to build a career and work on leading projects. But they must get here first and need the right visa.
This article describes the variety of visa options, how to get a specific visa, and what are visa requirements are in 2025. If you want to move to the U.S. as a tech professional. It also explains how each visa operates and what it may cost, and sketches a path to permanent residence, if there is one.
H-1B: Still the Most Popular Route for Tech Talent
The H-1B visa is still the most widely used option for most tech workers. It permits American companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. You’ll need a job offer from a U.S. employer and at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field to qualify.
The H-1B visa is subject to a cap and a lottery system every year. The base filing fee is approximately $780 in 2025, but employers also pay additional fees. And if premium processing is employed to expedite the process, that’s another $2,805.
We recently assisted a cloud infrastructure engineer who came from Brazil to obtain an H-1B visa. The San Francisco employer supported his application and agreed to pay all filing fees. It was approved in a few weeks with premium processing, and now he is working in the United States and considering long-term residency options.
Because timing and paperwork issues come into play, we would recommend seeking an attorney earlier. Read about our H-1B Visa Lawyer services to find out how The Law Office of Olena Manilich can help with all the stages.
O-1 Visa: For the Best in the Field
If you are very accomplished in your tech specialty, then the so-called O-1 visa could be a powerful option. This is the visa for people who are outstanding in the field of science, education, or business. You would have to demonstrate significant achievements — for example, publications, patents, or speaking at conferences, and critical jobs at marquee companies.
The O-1 does not operate on a lottery system, and there is no annual cap. This would make it quicker and more supple than the H-1B. But the evidence that your story is true has a very high threshold. Filing fees begin at roughly $530, and it can cost $4,000 to $6,000 in legal fees to prepare a strong petition.
One of our Indian clients crossed over to me after losing in the H-1B lottery two years running. She had a strong résumé in AI research and multiple academic publications. We helped her apply for an O-1 visa, which was based on her scientific achievements, and she entered the U.S. within a few months.
If you believe your experience and skills may meet this criterion, get in touch, and we will review your case and see if the O-1 category is suitable for you.
L-1 Visa: For Tech Professionals Transferring Within a Company
Tech professionals who already work in a front-line tech multinational company can consider the L-1 visa. This provision lets foreign employees move to a U.S. location. To be eligible, you will have worked for the same company abroad for a minimum of one year in the last three years.
There are two kinds of L-1 visas. The L-1A category is intended for managers and executives, and the L-1B serves workers with specialized knowledge. Filing fees generally range from $960 to $1,440, based on the petition. Premium processing is also an option.
Here’s an example: We just recently helped a client who is employed by a global software company based in Germany. He was assigned to the company’s U.S. branch on an L-1B visa and worked in a similar job. Since the L-1 can also be a path to a green card, we started the EB-1C process after a year.
If your employer has a U.S. establishment, book an appointment with us to discuss your L-1 possibilities and your long-term situation.
Green Card Options: Planning for the Future
Many tech experts would like to permanently remain in the U.S. That’s where employment-based green cards come in. The most common categories are EB-2, for workers with advanced degrees, and EB-3, for skilled workers.
For example, if you are already on an H-1B or O-1 visa, your employer may file for a green card for you via the PERM process. The government fees to apply for a green card usually cost from $1,440 to $2,500. Legal expenses vary between $4,000 and $8,000, depending on your circumstances.
We assisted a South Korean machine learning engineer transfer from OPT to H-1B, and then to a green card in less than 4 years. With careful planning and good communication with his employers, he managed to stay the course at every stage.
If you’re contemplating your future in the U.S., get in touch with The Law Office of Olena Manilich, so we can make a personalized green card plan that makes sense for you.
Let Us Help You Choose the Right Path
Coming to the U.S. as a tech worker can offer life-changing opportunities. But immigration laws change frequently, and one wrong move can set back your plans for years. Whether you’re interested in an H-1B, O-1, L-1, or green card, we’ll demystify the process and make it manageable.
Schedule a consultation with The Law Office of Olena Manilich, and let’s start building your future in the U.S.
