Home›Compare Visas
Free Immigration Resource

US Visa Comparisons — Side by Side

Not sure which US visa is right for you? Compare any two visas side by side — requirements, processing times, annual caps, approval rates, and green card paths. 19 detailed comparisons across employment, investor, student, and dependent visa categories.

Each comparison shows visa type, duration, sponsorship requirements, annual caps, green card paths, and real USCIS approval rate data.

Employment Visas

H-1B vs O-1 Side-by-side comparison with approval rates H-1B vs L-1 Side-by-side comparison with approval rates H-1B vs TN Side-by-side comparison with approval rates H-1B vs E-3 (Australians) Side-by-side comparison with approval rates H-1B vs H-1B1 (Chile/Singapore) Side-by-side comparison with approval rates O-1A vs O-1B Side-by-side comparison with approval rates

Green Card Pathways

H-1B vs EB-2 Green Card Side-by-side comparison with approval rates EB-1 vs EB-2 Green Card Side-by-side comparison with approval rates EB-2 vs EB-3 Green Card Side-by-side comparison with approval rates EB-2 NIW vs EB-1A Side-by-side comparison with approval rates O-1 vs EB-1A Green Card Side-by-side comparison with approval rates L-1A vs EB-1C Side-by-side comparison with approval rates EB-3 vs TN Visa Side-by-side comparison with approval rates

Investor Visas

E-2 vs EB-5 Investor Side-by-side comparison with approval rates EB-5 vs EB-2 NIW Side-by-side comparison with approval rates

Student & Visitor

F-1 vs J-1 Side-by-side comparison with approval rates B-1 Business vs TN Side-by-side comparison with approval rates

Dependent Visas

L-2 vs H-4 Dependent Side-by-side comparison with approval rates H-4 EAD vs H-1B EAD Side-by-side comparison with approval rates

Get a personalized visa recommendation

Our free Visa Finder quiz analyzes your profile and ranks all eligible visa types

Start Free Visa Finder →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between H-1B and O-1?
H-1B requires employer sponsorship, a specialty occupation, and a Bachelor's degree. It's subject to an annual 85,000 cap lottery. O-1 requires demonstrated extraordinary ability or achievement, has no cap, and does not require a specific degree. H-1B is more common; O-1 is harder to qualify for but more flexible.
Should I choose EB-2 NIW or EB-1A for a green card?
EB-1A (Extraordinary Ability) has a higher evidentiary bar but may have shorter backlogs for some nationalities. EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) has a lower bar — requiring an advanced degree and a showing of national importance — making it more accessible for researchers and academics. Both allow self-petition.
H-1B vs L-1 — which is better?
H-1B is for specialty occupation workers hired in the US. L-1 is for intracompany transferees who worked at a foreign affiliate for at least 1 year. If you're being transferred from a company's overseas office, L-1 may be faster and avoids the lottery. H-1B is for external hires.
Can I compare more than two visas at once?
Our comparison tool shows two visas side by side with detailed criteria. To compare multiple options, use our free Visa Finder Quiz which ranks all eligible visa types based on your profile.