Self-Employed Visa Options for US Immigration

USAWork in the USTemporary Visa

Someone who is self employed is defined as someone who works for themselves as a freelancer or the owner of a business rather than for an employer; someone who works for themselves. If you are interested in immigrating to the United States to do freelance or self-employed work, then you must obtain a work visa. Someone who works in the United States and is not a permanent resident or citizen must obtain a work visa.

Unfortunately, there is not a self-employed visa but there are some options! Nearly every work visa in the United States requires a sponsorship from a legal and operating US company or agency. There are some exceptions:

O-1 Visa

Many freelancer or self-employed foreign workers will use the O-1 to allow them to work in the United States. With the O-1 Visa it still requires a company to sponsor a worker but with the O-1 Visa they can contract them under a 1099. A 1099 tax form is a record that a person gave you money but does not require a full time employment. So if you have a freelance position through a US company they may be able to sponsor you through the O-1 Visa.

Find out if you are eligible for the O-1 Visa.

VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor

Ella Bergquist

Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.