US work visas: H-1B, L-1 and O-1

The main US temporary work visas are the H-1B (professionals with a job offer), L-1 (intra-company transfers within multinationals) and O-1 (people of extraordinary ability). Since 2026 the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level, and the announced $100,000 H-1B payment is currently stopped by court order. Turkish and Georgian nationals can use all these routes; for Iranian passports they are suspended.

Comparison

H-1B in 2026

• Wage-weighted lottery: since February 2026, applicants with higher wage levels have better odds (level 4 gets four times the weight of level 1).
• For FY2027, about 211,000 eligible registrations were filed and the cap was reached with no second round.
• The $100,000 payment: announced for new petitions for people outside the US, but courts have vacated and blocked it, and it is not currently collected. A separate proposed fee of a similar size is not final.
• Social media vetting has applied to H-1B applicants and dependants since December 2025.

If you hold an Iranian passport

All work visas have been suspended for Iranian passport holders since 1 January 2026. Iranians with a second nationality are not covered when using the other passport. Details

Frequently asked questions

Is the $100,000 H-1B payment in force?

Not at present; federal courts have vacated and blocked it, although the government has extended it and litigation continues.

How are H-1B lottery odds decided?

Since 2026, by the offered wage level; each higher level carries more weight in the lottery.

Can my Turkish company transfer me to its US branch?

Yes, on an L-1 visa, if you worked for the company as a manager or specialist for at least 1 year in the last 3.

Position as of October 2026; H-1B litigation is ongoing.