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5 Visas That Allow Your Spouse to Work in the US

By Sierra March 15, 2021 (Updated May 27, 2023) 3 min. read
spouse

Are you immigrating to the United States and bringing your spouse along? Thousands of individuals apply to move to the United States but have already started growing their family in their home country prior. In these cases, those applying will sponsor their spouse, dependents, and any other qualifying relatives to immigrate to the US with them. There are a few options available to those who are looking to do so let’s learn about 5 visas that would allow your spouse to work in the United States!

H-1B Visa

The H-1B visa is a work permit that allows foreigners to work in the US with their “specialty occupations.” To apply for this visa one would need a job offer and the skills required for that job. The H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) was designed for spouses and children under the age of 21 of H-1B Visa holders. Specifically, spouses of an H-1B Visa would obtain an H-4 Visa to legally work in the United States.

E-1 Visa

The E-1 visa, also known as Treaty Trade Visa, is a non-immigrant visa for citizens of countries that the US has a treaty of commerce with. While not all countries are eligible, business owners and investors from those that are may qualify if they meet several criteria. If your spouse is looking to work in the US, they would need to download Form I-750, complete it, and apply for Employment Authorization.

E-2 Visa

E-2 visas are for owners and investors in businesses in the United States. The E-2 visa is a temporary US work visa that may be granted for “substantial” investments in the US. An investment must meet several criteria in order to qualify for an E-2 visa. As the E-2 visa holder, you are only permitted to work for the E-2 company, however, your spouse can work for any employer or even be self-employed. An H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is the document that allows an E-2 visa spouse to work and t usually takes 90 days to arrive.

E-3 Visa

The E-3 visa gives eligible Australian nationals the chance to work in the United States within their specialty occupation. The visa was created by an Act of the United States Congress as a result of the Australia–United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA). E-3 visa holder spouses are entitled to work in the United States with a valid H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The spouse may not begin work until they receive the EAD card.

L-1 Visa

L-1 visa is most likely the best work visa for you. L-1 visas are available to employees working for companies outside the United States such as in Canada that have branches, subsidiaries, affiliates, or joint venture partners in the United States. The spouse of the  L-1 visa holder in most cases is eligible to work. However, the spouse must first apply for an H-4 Employment Authorization Document (EAD). If the work authorization is granted, the spouse does not typically face any restrictions on their place of employment.

@visaplaceimmigration

If you plan on immigrating with your significant other, you may be interested in visas that allow them to work as well! 👫 #spouse #usimmigration #e2visa #h1bvisa #l1visa

♬ Sure Thing (sped up) – Miguel

Is Your Spouse Looking to Work in the US?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals, and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award-winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

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Sarah Quernasian

Lawyers here are so kind and sweet and provide so much information in an easy to understand way, especially about visa and obtaining work once in the country. My lawyer was very good and I’m looking forward to having her knowledge in the future for any other immigration needs.

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Charles Scalise

The thought of immigrating was very stressful for me and my family, I felt lost. However, working with VisaPlace was very positive and I recommend them to those who need help with immigration. Their team worked with me very closely and presented to me multiple potential options and explained what the process would look like as well as the timeline. I’m so grateful to their guidance.

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Pherry AshMalt

I won’t go into detail for privacy, but I was in a very bad situation where almost no lawyer would work with me or even provide me with legal counsel on my case. I was terrified of being removed from the country, but with the help of the professionals at VisaPlace, they were able to help me and I was allowed to stay. The relief I feel is immense. Thank you to the amazing team.

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I was frustrated after talking to several different immigration firms. Many just didn’t seem honest or upfront. However, a friend recommended VisaPlace to me, and I am glad they did. I worked with a lady and she was very knowledgeable and explained the process to me. She was so essential for the immigration process. I would definitely go back to her if i needed any further support.

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Marco Tame

I’d like to be clear that I’m somewhat of a skeptic, especially when it comes to investing time and money into a new venture. I’m originally from the UK but I made the decision to migrate to Canada after meeting my girlfriend online six months ago. I know the process is going to take time, but I wanted legal counsel to make sure I approach the process in the most efficient way possible – I HATE wasting time. My consultation over the phone was informative and eased some of my initial concerns about potential hiccups. The lawyer I worked with was good about getting back to me, although occasionally she couldn’t be reached due to being in court – that was fine, she typically followed up relatively quickly. I’m now well within the process of immigrating and I have appreciated having the legal support.

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Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.

Michael Her Avatar

Michael Her

It was pretty easy to make an appointment with visaplace. I have seen some people complain about the pricing, which is odd because in comparison to other firms, their rates are relatively fair. They were also honest and upfront with the complexities of my case and gave me the option to decide whether or not I wanted to move forward. I did end up moving forward and things have been going according to what we discussed. I am relieved to know there are honest professionals out there who won’t over-promise you things they can’t deliver.