In order to be legally eligible to work in the United States, you will need to obtain one of two kinds of visa: either a J-1 student exchange visa, or an H-2B temporary work visa.

The two types of visa are similar, though they do have distinctions that should help you choose which one is right for you.

J-1 visa applicants must be attending post-secondary education and may be tested on their level of proficiency in English (depending on their job), while H-2B visa applicants are not typically students.

Both visas require proof of binding ties to your home country, a passport that will be valid for at least six months after the end of your stay and an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country as part of the visa application process.

For details on the process and the required documents for each type of visa, click on either the J-1 exchange visa or the H-2B visa link.