Plan B : Autres voies d'accès à l'emploi aux États-Unis pour les étudiants étrangers F-1 si la sélection pour le plafond H-1B n'est pas atteinte

Flavia Santos • April 11, 2024

Click here to read this article in English

Cet article date de l'année 2023. 

      Les étudiants internationaux titulaires d'un visa F-1 qui n'ont pas été sélectionnés dans le cadre de la loterie H-1B sont confrontés à une situation difficile, mais il existe encore d'autres options d'immigration. Ces options peuvent nécessiter plus d'efforts et de planification, mais elles peuvent en fin de compte aboutir au même objectif, à savoir l'obtention d'un visa de travail aux États-Unis.

Évaluer le temps restant

Il est impératif que les personnes qui participent actuellement au programme OPT (Optional Practical Training) évaluent le temps qu'il leur reste avant son expiration. La date d'expiration de l'OPT peut affecter de manière significative l'éligibilité d'une personne à continuer à résider aux États-Unis, en particulier si elle a l'intention de s'inscrire à la loterie des visas H-1B en 2024. Par exemple, en cas de sélection à la loterie et d'expiration de l'OPT le 1er avril 2024 ou après cette date, la personne aurait droit à l'extension H-1B Cap-Gap, ce qui lui permettrait de conserver son statut OPT jusqu'à ce que le visa H-1B devienne effectif. Toutefois, si la période de validité de l'OPT expire avant le 1er avril 2024, la personne devra quitter les États-Unis dans les 60 jours suivant la date d'expiration de l'OPT. Le tableau ci-dessous illustre ce scénario. 

Préparer la rentrée scolaire

Pour les étudiants à la recherche d'un emploi aux États-Unis, s'inscrire à un programme universitaire qui propose une formation pratique au jour 1 (CPT) est une autre option viable. Les étudiants peuvent ainsi commencer à travailler immédiatement, tout en poursuivant leurs études. En outre, les étudiants qui ont déjà obtenu une offre d'emploi peuvent être en mesure de travailler dans le cadre d'un CPT en attendant le résultat de leur pétition H-1B dans le cadre du plafond annuel. Pour profiter pleinement de cette période prolongée, il serait judicieux de s'inscrire à la loterie du plafond H-1B avant l'expiration de la période OPT.


Envisagez le visa L-1 si vous travaillez pour une multinationale

En tant qu'option viable pour les professionnels à la recherche d'un emploi à long terme aux États-Unis, travailler pour une multinationale à l'étranger pendant un an, puis être transféré à l'intérieur de l'entreprise au moyen d'un visa L-1, peut offrir de nombreux avantages stratégiques. Le visa L-1, conçu spécifiquement pour ce type de transfert, permet aux employés de sociétés multinationales de rejoindre une filiale, une société affiliée ou une société mère aux États-Unis. Le visa L-1 est un visa à double intention qui permet de rechercher des opportunités de travail et d'études temporaires dans le pays, ainsi qu'une résidence à long terme. Sa durée de validité est de 5 à 7 ans. Bien que cette voie exige que l'individu travaille à l'étranger pendant un an, elle peut s'avérer une solution à long terme intéressante pour travailler aux États-Unis.


Visa TN pour les ressortissants canadiens et mexicains 

Le visa TN est une catégorie de visa non immigrant qui permet aux citoyens canadiens et mexicains de travailler temporairement aux États-Unis dans certaines professions libérales, conformément à l'accord États-Unis-Mexique-Canada (USMCA). Les conditions d'obtention d'un visa TN comprennent une offre d'emploi d'un employeur américain, un emploi préétabli à temps plein ou à temps partiel dans l'une des professions éligibles, un diplôme de licence ou son équivalent, ainsi qu'une preuve des qualifications professionnelles. La durée de validité d'un visa TN varie en fonction de la durée de l'offre d'emploi, mais il peut être délivré pour une durée maximale de trois ans et peut être renouvelé indéfiniment.


Entrepreneurs et investisseurs

Pour ceux qui ont l'esprit d'entreprise, les visas E-1 et E-2 sont conçus pour les personnes engagées dans le commerce international avec les États-Unis. Ces visas permettent à leur détenteur de travailler aux États-Unis tout en menant des activités commerciales importantes entre les États-Unis et leur pays d'origine. Chacun de ces visas offre des possibilités et des conditions uniques, et il est important de consulter un avocat spécialisé dans les questions d'immigration pour déterminer celui qui convient le mieux à votre situation personnelle.


Demander un permis de travail pour personne à charge

Pour les personnes mariées, les options de visa de conjoint peuvent également être une alternative possible. Le document d'autorisation de travail (EAD) H-4 permet aux conjoints éligibles de titulaires de visas H-1B d'obtenir l'autorisation de travailler aux États-Unis, à condition que le conjoint principal dispose d'un I-140 approuvé. Les visas L-2 et E-2 pour les personnes à charge sont des options pour les conjoints des détenteurs de visas L-1 et E-2 respectivement. Contrairement au visa H-4, qui exige que le conjoint principal titulaire d'un visa H-1B dispose d'un document I-140D approuvé, les conjoints titulaires des visas L-2 et E-2 sont considérés comme des personnes autorisées à travailler en vertu de leur statut et n'ont pas besoin de demander un document d'autorisation d'emploi. Ces visas de conjoint peuvent constituer une source importante de revenus et de soutien pour la famille pendant que le titulaire du visa principal s'établit aux États-Unis. 


Conclusion


Il est important que les étudiants considèrent toutes leurs options et travaillent avec un avocat expérimenté en matière d'immigration afin de déterminer la meilleure marche à suivre. Bien que le plafond H-1B puisse être un processus frustrant et difficile, il existe toujours des voies de réussite pour les étudiants étrangers. Avec une planification minutieuse et de la persévérance, les étudiants peuvent atteindre leurs objectifs et construire une carrière réussie aux États-Unis.


Ce blog n'est pas destiné à fournir des conseils juridiques et rien ici ne doit être interprété comme établissant une relation avocat-client. Veuillez prendre rendez-vous avec un avocat spécialisé en droit de l'immigration avant d'agir sur la base de toute information lue ici.

Flavia Lloyd


By Angelica Rice April 17, 2025
On March 31, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) implemented a policy update that limits gender marker selections on all immigration forms and systems to two biological sexes: male and female. This change eliminates the option for applicants to select a non-binary or “X” gender marker—an option that had previously been permitted on some forms. While USCIS emphasizes that this update does not change who qualifies for immigration benefits, it may significantly impact how certain applications—particularly asylum claims based on gender identity-related persecution—are understood and evaluated. What Has Changed? Under the revised policy, applicants may now only choose “Male” or “Female” when completing USCIS forms. The ability to select a non-binary or third-gender option is no longer available. Applicants may still request to change their gender marker with USCIS, but only within the male/female binary. Supporting documentation, such as medical or legal records, is not required to make the change. This means that transgender individuals can still align their gender marker with their identity—if it falls within the two binary categories—but non-binary individuals are no longer represented. The change follows guidance issued by the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB), which called for greater consistency in the collection of sex and gender data across federal agencies. Impact on Asylum Applicants This policy update is especially important for individuals applying for asylum based on persecution related to their gender identity. Under U.S. immigration law, asylum is available to people who have suffered persecution—or fear future persecution—based on their membership in a “particular social group.” This includes people targeted for being transgender, gender non-conforming, or otherwise not aligning with socially expected gender roles in their home country. Although the legal standard for asylum remains unchanged, the removal of the non-binary gender marker could make it harder for some applicants to clearly present and document their identity. In asylum cases, credibility and clarity are crucial. The ability to accurately reflect one’s gender identity on official forms can play an important role in establishing the foundation of a persecution claim. Now, applicants who identify as non-binary or outside the traditional male/female categories may be forced to select a gender that does not align with their lived experience. This could lead to confusion in their case file or require additional explanation during interviews or hearings. This policy could weaken the strength of some asylum claims—not because the underlying facts have changed, but because the official forms now fail to reflect the applicant’s true identity. For example: A non-binary person applying for asylum after being targeted in their home country may now have to select “Male” or “Female” on their asylum application, despite not identifying as either. This mismatch may lead adjudicators to question the applicant’s identity, possibly weakening the strength of the claim or requiring added clarification and documentation. In defensive asylum cases—where applicants are in removal proceedings—such inconsistencies could create unnecessary hurdles and complicate the evidentiary presentation. What Can Applicants Do? Despite the change, individuals can still pursue asylum based on gender identity. The underlying eligibility criteria remain the same. However, applicants should be prepared to clearly explain any differences between their stated identity and the gender marker required on USCIS forms. Applicants are encouraged to: Include a personal declaration explaining their gender identity in detail and how it relates to their fear of persecution. Provide evidence such as affidavits, country condition reports, or expert testimony that supports the claim. Work with an experienced immigration attorney who can help present the claim effectively and prepare for any questions that might arise from the new form limitations. The new USCIS policy on gender markers may seem like a technical update, but for asylum seekers fleeing gender-based persecution, it has real implications. While individuals are still legally eligible to seek protection, the limitation to binary gender options could make it more difficult to fully and clearly present their case.  If you or someone you know is facing immigration challenges related to gender identity—or is concerned about how this policy may impact an asylum claim—please contact Santos Lloyd Law Firm to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration attorneys. We’re here to help ensure your voice is heard and your case is handled with the care and expertise it deserves.
By Santos Lloyd Law Team April 10, 2025
In 2025, the immigration landscape continues to shift under the weight of national security concerns, ushered in by Executive Order “ Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. ” This directive tasks federal agencies—including the U.S. Department of State—with implementing enhanced screening and vetting protocols for all foreign nationals seeking visas or other immigration benefits. The result? A dramatically intensified vetting process, along with mounting concerns from immigrants, attorneys, and civil liberties advocates alike. Traditionally, airport security focused on verifying travel documents and screening for prohibited items, while consular officers assessed the legitimacy of visa petitions and the admissibility of applicants. Extreme vetting, however, represents a significant shift toward a far more invasive and comprehensive investigative process. It now includes detailed background checks, biometric verification, digital forensics, and expansive scrutiny of an applicant’s online presence and criminal or financial records. Since President Trump’s second term began in January 2025, the implementation of extreme vetting has expanded rapidly. Today, border screenings go far beyond routine document checks, encompassing a full-scale evaluation of a traveler’s digital life. This pivot reflects the administration’s intensified focus on national security, but it has also triggered urgent discussions about privacy, due process, and the fairness of modern immigration enforcement. At U.S. ports of entry—especially airports—noncitizens are now subject to rigorous and invasive procedures, including: Inspection of cell phones, laptops, and other devices (including deleted content) Review of social media activity on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) Biometric scanning, including fingerprinting and facial recognition These measures are no longer confined to travelers from high-risk countries. In practice, extreme vetting applies broadly across all nationalities, and increasingly affects lawful permanent residents as well. For noncitizens, this new landscape introduces a heightened level of uncertainty and vulnerability. Delays at U.S. consulates for visa issuance or renewal are becoming routine. Travelers must now be acutely aware of these changes, and those attending consular interviews or seeking visa renewals should be prepared to provide additional documentation verifying their maintenance of status, compliance with visa conditions, and the bona fide nature of their visa applications. It is critical to organize supporting materials in advance and be ready to answer questions about employment, education, travel history, and online activity. As the U.S. government continues to expand its use of data-driven risk assessment tools, travelers must adapt to a new normal, one where preparation is essential to navigating the immigration system without disruption.
By Shirin Navabi April 3, 2025
For international business owners and entrepreneurs engaged in cross-border trade with the United States , the opportunity to expand operations and establish a physical presence in the U.S. may be more accessible than expected. The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa is specifically designed to facilitate this type of business activity and offers a strategic pathway for qualifying individuals to live and work in the United States while managing or developing trade relationships. While 2025 has brought a trend of changes in immigration policy, the E-1 visa continues to stand out as a viable and welcoming option . Despite increased scrutiny across various immigration categories, this visa remains suitable for those involved in consistent, qualifying trade with the U.S. Its structure and purpose align well with current business realities, making it a stable choice even amid policy shifts. The E-1 visa is available to nationals of countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States . To qualify, applicants must demonstrate that they are engaged in substantial trade—defined as a continuous flow of sizable international transactions—primarily between their home country and the U.S. Unlike investment-based visas, the E-1 visa does not require a fixed monetary threshold. Instead, it emphasizes active commercial exchange, such as the regular transfer of goods, services, or technology. This visa is applicable across a wide range of industries , including but not limited to manufacturing, logistics, professional services, consulting, finance, tourism, and technology. If more than 50% of your international trade is with the United States, and the business activity is consistent and well-documented, the E-1 visa may be a strong fit for your current business model. In addition to its flexibility, the E-1 visa is renewable as long as the trade activity continues. It also extends benefits to eligible family members: spouses and unmarried children under 21 may accompany the principal visa holder, and spouses are eligible to apply for U.S. work authorization, offering added support and financial opportunity for the family. This visa category is particularly well-suited for business professionals who are already operating in international markets and looking to formalize or expand their presence in the U.S. It rewards active engagement, proven commercial performance, and long-term trade partnerships. If you are currently engaged in trade with the United States and are considering expanding your business operations, the E-1 Treaty Trader Visa may provide a clear and effective route forward. Our attorneys at Santos Lloyd Law Firm are here to help you assess your qualifications and guide you through each stage of the process with clarity, strategy, and confidence.
Show More