Plan B: Vías alternativas de empleo en EE.UU. para estudiantes internacionales F-1 que no consiguen visa en lotería del H-1B
Flavia Santos • September 28, 2023
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Los estudiantes internacionales con visados F-1 que no han sido seleccionados en la lotería del H-1B se enfrentan a una situación difícil, pero todavía hay opciones alternativas de inmigración disponibles. Estas opciones pueden requerir más esfuerzo y planificación, pero en última instancia pueden conducir a la misma meta de obtener una visa de trabajo en los Estados Unidos.
Evalúe el tiempo que le queda
Es imperativo que las personas que actualmente participan en el programa de Formación Práctica Opcional (OPT) evalúen el tiempo restante antes de su vencimiento. La fecha de expiración del OPT puede afectar significativamente la elegibilidad de uno para continuar residiendo en los Estados Unidos, particularmente si tienen la intención de registrarse para la lotería de visas H-1B en 2024. Por ejemplo, en caso de ser seleccionado en la lotería y de que el OPT expire el 1 de abril de 2024 o después, la persona tendría derecho a la prórroga H-1B Cap-Gap, lo que le permitiría continuar con su estatus OPT hasta que el visado H-1B se haga efectivo. Sin embargo, si el periodo de validez del OPT expira antes del 1 de abril de 2024, la persona deberá abandonar los EE.UU. en un plazo de 60 días tras la fecha de expiración del OPT. La siguiente tabla ilustra este escenario.
Prepárese para la temporada de regreso a clases
Para los estudiantes que buscan oportunidades de empleo en Estados Unidos, matricularse en un programa académico que ofrezca Formación Práctica Curricular (CPT) de primer día es otra opción viable. Esto permitiría a los estudiantes empezar a trabajar inmediatamente, incluso mientras continúan sus estudios. Además, los estudiantes que ya han conseguido una oferta de trabajo pueden trabajar en CPT mientras esperan el resultado de su petición H-1B en el límite anual. Para aprovechar al máximo este período ampliado, sería prudente inscribirse en la lotería del tope H-1B antes de que expire el período OPT.
Considere el visado L-1 si trabaja para una multinacional
Como opción viable para los profesionales que buscan un empleo a largo plazo en Estados Unidos, trabajar para una multinacional en el extranjero durante un año seguido de un traslado dentro de la empresa mediante un visado L-1 puede ofrecer numerosas ventajas estratégicas. El visado L-1, diseñado específicamente para este tipo de traslados, permite a los empleados de empresas multinacionales trasladarse a una filial, subsidiaria o matriz estadounidense. El visado L-1 se caracteriza por ser un visado de doble propósito que permite la flexibilidad de buscar tanto oportunidades de trabajo y estudio temporales en el país, como la residencia a largo plazo. También tiene un periodo de validez de 5 a 7 años. Aunque esta vía requiere que la persona trabaje en el extranjero durante un año, puede resultar una valiosa solución a largo plazo para trabajar en Estados Unidos.
Visado TN para ciudadanos canadienses y mexicanos
El visado TN es una categoría de visado de no inmigrante que permite a los ciudadanos canadienses y mexicanos trabajar temporalmente en Estados Unidos en determinadas ocupaciones profesionales, enumeradas en el Acuerdo Estados Unidos-México-Canadá (USMCA). Los requisitos para obtener un visado TN incluyen una oferta de trabajo de un empleador estadounidense, un trabajo preestablecido a tiempo completo o parcial en una de las profesiones elegibles, una licenciatura o su equivalente y una prueba de cualificación profesional. El periodo de validez de un visado TN varía en función de la duración de la oferta de trabajo, pero puede expedirse por un máximo de tres años y renovarse indefinidamente.
Empresarios e inversores
Para quienes son más emprendedores, los visados E-1 y E-2, por su parte, están diseñados para personas dedicadas al comercio internacional con EE.UU. Estos visados permiten a su titular trabajar en EE.UU. al tiempo que realiza un comercio sustancial entre EE.UU. y su país de origen. Cada uno de estos visados ofrece oportunidades y requisitos únicos, y es importante consultar con un abogado de inmigración para determinar cuál es el que mejor se adapta a sus circunstancias individuales.
Solicitar un permiso de trabajo para dependientes
Para las personas casadas, las opciones de visado para cónyuges también pueden ser una alternativa viable. El Documento de Autorización de Empleo (EAD) H-4 permite a los cónyuges elegibles de titulares de visados H-1B obtener permiso para trabajar en EE.UU. siempre que el cónyuge principal tenga un I-140 aprobado. Por su parte, los visados dependientes L-2 y E-2 son opciones para los cónyuges de titulares de visados L-1 y E-2, respectivamente. A diferencia del H-4, que requiere que el cónyuge principal H-1B tenga un I-140D aprobado, los cónyuges L-2 y E-2 se consideran autorizados para trabajar y no necesitan solicitar un documento de autorización de empleo. Estos visados para cónyuges pueden suponer una importante fuente de ingresos y apoyo para la familia mientras el titular principal del visado se establece en EE.UU.
Conclusión
Es importante que los estudiantes consideren todas sus opciones y trabajen con un abogado de inmigración con experiencia para determinar el mejor curso de acción. Si bien el límite H-1B puede ser un proceso frustrante y difícil, todavía hay caminos hacia el éxito para los estudiantes internacionales. Con una planificación cuidadosa y perseverancia, los estudiantes pueden lograr sus objetivos y construir una carrera exitosa en los Estados Unidos.
Descargo de responsabilidad: Este artículo tiene únicamente fines informativos y no debe considerarse asesoramiento jurídico. Se recomienda encarecidamente buscar el asesoramiento de un abogado de inmigración antes de tomar cualquier decisión.
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A Brazilian artist seeking an O-1, a Colombian executive seeking an L-1, or a Lebanese professional seeking an H-1B can generally continue to apply. The policy is being challenged in court. Plaintiffs in CLINIC v. State Department argue that the freeze violates INA § 1152's prohibition on nationality-based discrimination in immigrant visa issuance, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Fifth Amendment. The outcome is not predictable, and applicants should not delay strategic planning while awaiting a ruling. Who Is Exempt or Otherwise Unaffected Several categories of individuals are not covered by Proclamation 10998, even where their country of nationality appears on the list: Lawful permanent residents of the United States. Green card holders may continue to travel and re-enter, though re-entry can still involve closer secondary inspection. Individuals physically present in the United States on January 1, 2026. The proclamation applies only to those who were outside the U.S. and without a valid visa as of the effective date. Holders of valid visas issued before January 1, 2026. No visa issued before the effective date has been or will be revoked under the proclamation. These visas may continue to be used for travel. Dual nationals who can apply on the passport of a country not subject to the suspension. A, G, and NATO visa holders , certain Special Immigrant Visa applicants, and limited national interest exceptions, including for specific adoption-related cases. It is worth emphasizing that exemption from the entry ban is not the same as exemption from related USCIS processing holds. Some lawful permanent residents from affected countries have nonetheless experienced delays on naturalization (N-400) and family petition (I-130) processing under separate administrative directives. What Applicants Should Do Now Given how rapidly the rules are changing and how case-specific the consequences are, we are advising clients to take the following steps: Identify which list (or lists) applies to you. A national of Iran or Syria faces fundamentally different exposure than a national of Brazil or Colombia, even though both may have heard "visa freeze" in the news. Look at categories, not just countries. For Tier 2 countries and the 75-country pause, employment-based nonimmigrant categories remain a viable path. Many of the O-1, P-1, H-1B, L-1, and EB-1A pathways our firm regularly handles are unaffected by the immigrant-visa freeze. Consider where you are physically located. Applicants currently in the United States have planning options that applicants abroad may not. Departing the country at the wrong moment can convert an inconvenience into a years-long problem. Do not assume current valid visas remain a guarantee of admission. While valid visas are not being revoked, port-of-entry scrutiny has increased, and discretionary admission decisions are ultimately made by Customs and Border Protection. Seek counsel before international travel if you are from any affected country, hold any form of conditional or pending status, or have any concerns about prior immigration history. When to Consult an Attorney The combination of the Proclamation 10998 travel ban, the 75-country immigrant visa pause, ongoing litigation, and the additional USCIS holds on certain benefit applications has produced a landscape where the right answer is rarely obvious from the news alone. Speaking with counsel is especially important when: Your country appears on either list, and you have a pending or planned visa application. You are weighing whether to leave the United States for a consular interview. You are an employer with a foreign national workforce and need to understand which categories remain viable. You are a dual national considering which passport to use. You hold a valid visa from before January 1, 2026, and are uncertain whether to travel. At Santos Lloyd Law Firm, we represent clients from across the affected country lists including substantial numbers in entertainment, sports, business, and family immigration and we are actively monitoring both the litigation and the State Department's evolving guidance. If you have questions about how the current restrictions apply to your case or your company, our attorneys are available to help you build a plan.
