The Pathways Hub
Your journey doesn't have just one path.
Whether you're a student, researcher, founder, engineer, artist, or entrepreneur - explore each route, understand the requirements, and discover where you may fit.
Pathways by country
Choose where you want to build your future.
United States
Seven routes beyond the H-1B lottery
- O-1A / O-1B Visa
- EB-2 NIW
- Cap-Exempt H-1B
- L-1A / L-1B Visa
United Kingdom
Points-based, no lottery, sponsor-led
- Skilled Worker Visa
- Global Talent Visa
- Graduate Route
- High Potential Individual (HPI)
Germany
EU Blue Card, fast permanent residence, no lottery
- EU Blue Card
- Skilled Worker Visa (§18a / §18b)
- Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
- Job Seeker Visa (§20)
Every path is real and worth exploring.
Immigration Isn't One Straight Line
Everyone's journey looks different.
Some students continue into research. Some become founders. Others pursue higher education, entrepreneurship, or employer-sponsored opportunities. Your background shapes your possibilities.
Explore Every Pathway
Seven doors. Yours to open.
O-1 Visa
A merit-based nonimmigrant visa recognizing sustained achievement across sciences, business, education, athletics, arts, film, or television - no annual cap, no lottery.
Employer
Sponsor or Agent
Lottery
No
Green Card
Yes (bridge to EB-1A)
Difficulty
Moderate
Best For
EB-2 National Interest Waiver
A green card category that lets qualified professionals self-petition - no employer, no job offer, no PERM labor certification - when their work benefits the United States.
Employer
No - self-petition
Lottery
No
Green Card
Yes (direct I-140)
Difficulty
Moderate–High
Best For
L-1 Visa
For executives, managers, and specialized-knowledge employees transferring from a foreign office to a related U.S. office - or opening a brand-new U.S. office.
Employer
Yes - related entities
Lottery
No
Green Card
Yes (L-1A → EB-1C)
Difficulty
Moderate
Best For
Cap-Exempt H-1B
The H-1B, without the March lottery - available through universities, university-affiliated nonprofits, and government or nonprofit research organizations, year-round.
Employer
Yes - qualifying institution
Lottery
No
Green Card
Yes
Difficulty
Low–Moderate
Best For
STEM OPT
A 24-month extension of post-completion OPT for graduates of DHS-designated STEM programs - giving you up to 3 years of work authorization and up to 3 shots at the H-1B lottery.
Employer
Yes - E-Verify employer
Lottery
No (STEM OPT itself)
Green Card
Indirect
Difficulty
Low
Best For
Day 1 CPT
Curricular Practical Training authorized from day one of a qualifying graduate program - a bridge when OPT runs out or the H-1B lottery doesn't hit. Legitimate, but scrutinized.
Employer
Yes - job in your field
Lottery
No
Green Card
Indirect
Difficulty
Low, but scrutinized
Best For
Founder Pathways
A portfolio of visas - O-1A, International Entrepreneur Parole, E-2, and L-1A - that support founders at every stage, from pre-seed to Series B.
Employer
Your own company
Lottery
No
Green Card
Yes (O-1A → EB-1A / EB-2 NIW; L-1A → EB-1C)
Difficulty
Moderate–High
Best For
Compare Your Options
Every pathway has different advantages.
| Visa | Lottery | Employer | Self-Petition | Green Card | Processing | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cap-Exempt H-1B | No | Yes - qualifying institution | No | Yes | 15 business days (premium) | Academics, Researchers |
| Day 1 CPT | No | Yes - job in your field | No | Indirect | Immediate (via DSO) | Working professionals bridging status, OPT-exhausted grads |
| EB-2 National Interest Waiver | No | No - self-petition | Yes | Yes (direct I-140) | 45 business days (premium) | Researchers, Engineers |
| Founder Pathways | No | Your own company | No | Yes (O-1A → EB-1A / EB-2 NIW; L-1A → EB-1C) | 1–6 months | Startup founders, Solo builders |
| L-1 Visa | No | Yes - related entities | No | Yes (L-1A → EB-1C) | 15 business days (premium) | Executives, Managers |
| O-1 Visa | No | Sponsor or Agent | No | Yes (bridge to EB-1A) | 15 business days (premium) | Researchers, Engineers |
| STEM OPT | No (STEM OPT itself) | Yes - E-Verify employer | No | Indirect | 3–5 months (no premium) | Recent STEM grads, Early-career engineers |
Which One Fits You?
Not sure where to begin?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll surface pathways worth exploring.
Degree
Industry
Years of Experience
0+ years
Live Recommendations
A merit-based nonimmigrant visa recognizing sustained achievement across sciences, business, education, athletics, arts, film, or television - no annual cap, no lottery.
ExploreA green card category that lets qualified professionals self-petition - no employer, no job offer, no PERM labor certification - when their work benefits the United States.
ExploreFor executives, managers, and specialized-knowledge employees transferring from a foreign office to a related U.S. office - or opening a brand-new U.S. office.
ExploreHow Careers Open Doors
Your career can unlock more than you think.
O-1 Visa
A merit-based nonimmigrant visa recognizing sustained achievement across sciences, business, education, athletics, arts, film, or television - no annual cap, no lottery.
Immigration Timeline
Timing matters.
Student
Internship
OPT
STEM Extension
Alternative Pathways
Green Card
OPT
12 months of practical training.
Success Stories
Every journey is different.
Researcher
NIW"Self-petitioned based on climate-modeling publications."
Engineer
O-1"Built an award-winning open source tool used by 40k engineers."
Founder
L-1"Transferred from her Berlin office to open the U.S. entity."
Student
Cap-Exempt"Joined a university research lab instead of the lottery."
Learn Before You Decide
Read, then choose.
FAQs
Questions, answered.
Let's find the right path together.
The best immigration strategy isn't about following the crowd - it's about understanding the opportunities that fit your unique experience, ambitions, and goals.