Accountant visa routes in United States of America
Thinking about United States of America as a place to work? Below are the 2 United States of America visa routes that most commonly fit accountants, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: chartered accountant, CA, CPA, finance professional.
What this means for accountants
Of the 2 United States of America routes that commonly fit accountants, 2 need a sponsoring employer and 0 do not, and 0 can lead to permanent residence. Accountants are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into United States of America overall is the H-1B Specialty Occupation, which also fits many accountants — it is included below.
Typical figures — H-1B Specialty Occupation
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Salary you must earn
US$62,000/yr
H-1B — Level 1 prevailing wage (median across SOC codes)
Verified 1 July 2024 · DOL — Foreign Labor Certification wage search →
Government cost
US$3,595
Initial H-1B, standard employer (>25 FTE, not H-1B-dependent), no premium
H-4 dependants pay a $470 I-539 filing fee (each) plus $85 biometrics. Consular DS-160 fee is $205 each where applicable.
Verified 1 June 2026 · USCIS — Fee Schedule (Form G-1055) →
How long it takes
2 months – 8 months
H-1B I-129 petitions commonly take 2–8 months at USCIS service centers; Premium Processing ($2,965) resolves within 15 business days.
Verified 1 June 2026 · USCIS — Case Processing Times →
Routes that fit accountants
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Initial 3 years; extendable to 6 years (longer with approved I-140).
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)
Non-immigrant work visa under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Up to 3 years; renewable indefinitely while activity continues.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| H-1B Specialty Occupation | US$62,000/yr | 2 months – 8 months | No |
| TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico) | — | 1 days – 4 weeks | No |
Recent policy changes affecting this route
What changed most recently on this route — each linked to its primary government source.
- 12 January 2026In force 1 March 2026
US: premium processing rises to $2,965 and H-1B moves to wage-weighted selection
Two USCIS changes land for the FY2027 H-1B season: the Form I-907 premium-processing fee rises with inflation, and cap-subject H-1B selection switches from a random lottery to a wage-weighted process.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services → - 1 April 2024In force 1 April 2024
USCIS final fee rule takes effect
USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services →
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit accountants moving to United States of America?+
United States of America has 2 routes that commonly fit accountants: H-1B Specialty Occupation, TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do accountants need a job offer to move to United States of America?+
For the routes that fit accountants here, yes — all 2 require a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. Securing that offer is usually the first and slowest step, so it is worth starting there.
Can accountants settle permanently in United States of America?+
None of the routes that most closely fit accountants here are flagged as leading directly to permanent residence — they are temporary or transitional. You may still be able to switch to a settlement route later; see all United States of America routes for the options.
What salary do accountants need for the H-1B Specialty Occupation in United States of America?+
The H-1B — Level 1 prevailing wage (median across SOC codes) floor is US$62,000/yr, effective 1 July 2024 (DOL — Foreign Labor Certification wage search). Your occupation's published going rate may bind higher — whichever is greater applies.
How much does the H-1B Specialty Occupation cost in government fees?+
For the worked example (Initial H-1B, standard employer (>25 FTE, not H-1B-dependent), no premium), government fees total about US$3,595 (USCIS — Fee Schedule (Form G-1055), verified 1 June 2026). Treat as indicative and confirm the current schedule on the official source.
How long does the H-1B Specialty Occupation take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 2 months – 8 months (USCIS — Case Processing Times, verified 1 June 2026).