Considering Tulsa? Let’s Talk About the U.S. Piece, Too

Tulsa Tomorrow welcomes interest from talented professionals around the world. While Tulsa Tomorrow does not provide legal advice or visa sponsorship, we want international applicants to have a helpful starting point for understanding common U.S. work authorization pathways.

The information below is intended as a general resource only. Immigration rules can be complex, and eligibility depends on your citizenship, education, work history, job offer, employer, timing, and long-term goals. For advice specific to your situation, please consult a qualified immigration attorney or official government resources.

Common U.S. Visa and Work Authorization Pathways

The pathways below are some of the more common options international professionals may encounter. They are not the only U.S. visa categories, and not every option will apply to every applicant.

H-1B Visa (Specialty Occupation Work Visa)

The H-1B is one of the most common U.S. work visas for professionals in fields that typically require a degree or specialized expertise, such as tech, engineering, finance, healthcare, and more.

Requires employer sponsorship
Selected through an annual lottery process
Common pathway for long-term professional roles in the U.S.

TN Visa for Canadian and Mexican Citizens

The TN visa is available to eligible citizens of Canada and Mexico under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, also known as USMCA. It allows certain professionals to work temporarily in the United States when their role matches an approved TN profession.

This pathway may be a fit for professionals in fields such as healthcare, engineering, science, teaching, accounting, and other approved occupations. Eligibility depends on the applicant’s citizenship, job offer, profession, qualifications, and any required credentials or licenses.

Helpful TN Visa Resources

For Canadian and Mexican citizens exploring Tulsa, the TN visa can be one of the more straightforward U.S. work visa pathways — but only if your profession, job offer, and qualifications line up with the USMCA requirements.

Here are two helpful starting points:

Official USCIS TN/USMCA Overview
USCIS explains who may qualify for TN nonimmigrant status, including Canadian and Mexican citizens seeking temporary entry to work in certain professional roles in the United States.

View the USCIS TN/USMCA Professionals page

TN Visa Professions & Occupations List
This third-party resource provides a profession-by-profession breakdown of TN categories, including roles in healthcare, science, teaching, engineering, business, and other professional fields. It can be especially helpful if you’re trying to understand whether your background may fit one of the eligible TN categories.

View the TN professions list

Important note: Tulsa Tomorrow is not affiliated with Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law, USCIS, or any law firm or government agency. These links are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney or the appropriate government agency.

A few things to keep in mind:

TN status is only available to citizens of Canada and Mexico.
Your U.S. role generally needs to match one of the approved TN professions.
You usually need a prearranged job offer from a U.S. employer.
Education, licensing, and credential requirements vary by profession.
Canadian and Mexican applicants may have different application steps.

F-1 OPT and CPT for International Students

OPT allows international students who graduate from a U.S. college or university to work in the U.S. for a temporary period after completing their degree.

Available only to graduates of U.S. academic programs
No lottery system
Often used as a first step into long-term employment in the U.S.

O-1 Visa (Extraordinary Ability)

The O-1 visa is for individuals who have demonstrated a high level of achievement or recognition in their field, including business, arts, science, education, or athletics.

Requires a strong professional track record
Must be sponsored by an employer or agent
No lottery process

L-1 Visa for Intracompany Transfers

The L-1 visa supports professionals transferring from an international office to a U.S.-based office of the same company.

Requires employment with a global company
Must have worked abroad with the company for at least one year
Common for companies expanding into the U.S. market

Tulsa Tomorrow’s Role

Tulsa Tomorrow is not an immigration law firm and does not provide legal advice, legal representation, or visa sponsorship. We also do not determine visa eligibility.

Our goal is to help international applicants better understand possible pathways and connect with information that may help them evaluate whether Tulsa could be a fit.

If you are interested in Tulsa Tomorrow and have questions about your ability to work in the United States, we encourage you to speak with a qualified immigration attorney, your employer, your school’s international office, or the appropriate government agency.

We’re here to be a resource!

Final Note

Visa eligibility can vary significantly from person to person. The information on this page is general and may change over time. Always rely on official government resources and qualified legal guidance when making immigration decisions.

That said, many of our strongest candidates didn’t have everything figured out when they started.

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