The main routes

H-1B is the most common route for skilled professionals in “specialty occupations” that typically require a bachelor’s degree. It is subject to an annual cap and a lottery, which shapes timing. Cap-exempt employers (some universities and non-profits) are an exception.

O-1 is for individuals with extraordinary ability, a higher bar, but no annual cap and no lottery, so it can be faster and more predictable for genuinely exceptional candidates. Other routes (L-1 intra-company transfers, TN for Canadians/Mexicans, cap-exempt H-1B) fit specific situations.

Timelines and costs

H-1B is tied to the annual cap cycle (registration in spring, work start in the autumn), so timing is a real constraint. Premium processing can speed adjudication once a petition is filed. O-1 is not cap-bound and can often be pursued year-round.

Employers bear government and legal fees and must meet wage requirements. Budget for both, and for the relocation itself if the candidate is moving.

When cross-border sponsorship is worth it

Sponsorship makes sense when a role is genuinely hard to fill domestically and the specific candidate is exceptional, or when you are relocating a proven contributor. For most roles, hiring US-authorised talent domestically is faster and simpler, which is why the vast majority of what we do is domestic.

When sponsorship is the right call, NexHires coordinates the process end to end, working with immigration counsel, and handles relocation so the hire lands smoothly.