About moving to United States
The US has no working holiday visa for Australians. Work visas are predominantly employer-sponsored and highly competitive. The Diversity Visa lottery offers a small annual chance at permanent residence.
Skilled worker and residency visas for United States
E-3 Specialty Occupation Visa
Unique to Australians — work in a specialty occupation (degree-level role) with a US employer sponsor.
- Minimum education: Bachelor's degree
- Age limit: 18–65 years
- Key notes: Renewable every 2 years. 10,500 places per year — rarely fills up. Very favourable for Australians.
- Official source: travel.state.gov
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Employer-sponsored visa for specialty occupations. Issued via annual lottery.
- Minimum education: Bachelor's degree
- Age limit: 18–65 years
- Key notes: Over-subscribed lottery — only 65,000 places for 300,000+ applicants. Consider E-3 instead.
- Official source: www.uscis.gov
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field.
- Minimum education: Postgraduate degree
- Age limit: 18–65 years
- Key notes: High bar — requires demonstrated national/international recognition. Requires a US employer or agent.
- Official source: www.uscis.gov
Diversity Visa Lottery (DV)
Annual lottery for 55,000 diversity immigrant visas (green cards). Open to Australians.
- Minimum education: Certificate III/IV or Diploma
- Age limit: 18–65 years
- Key notes: Very low odds (~0.5% of applicants win). Free to enter — register between October and November each year.
- Official source: travel.state.gov
Visa comparison table
| Visa | Type | Age limit | Min education |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-3 Specialty Occupation Visa | skilled | 18+ | Bachelor's |
| H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa | sponsored | 18+ | Bachelor's |
| O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa | skilled | 18+ | Postgraduate |
| Diversity Visa Lottery (DV) | points | 18+ | Certificate |