Let’s answer the question you typed into search. You’ve heard about Canada’s Express Entry—that points-based, fast-track system for skilled workers. It seems logical, efficient. So you’re wondering: does the United States have something similar? A clean, direct portal where you submit your profile, get a score, and receive an invitation to become a resident?
The short, direct answer is no.
The United States does not have a federal program called “Express Entry” or anything that operates just like it. There’s no central website where you upload your resume, get a Comprehensive Ranking System score, and wait for an invitation from the government to apply. If that’s what you were hoping for, the news can feel like a door closing.
But here’s the crucial thing: a different door is open. It’s just more complex, with multiple handles. The U.S. system isn’t one streamlined highway; it’s a network of interconnected roads, each with its own map, tolls, and traffic conditions. Saying “there’s no Express Entry” isn’t saying “you can’t immigrate.” It’s saying you need a different game plan.
So, let’s talk about your real pathway options. These are the actual, legal routes a skilled professional can take to build a life and career in America.
The Heart of the Matter: Employer Sponsorship
For about 90% of skilled immigrants, the journey revolves around a simple, powerful concept: a U.S. employer who wants you enough to sponsor you.
Unlike Canada’s system where you are the primary applicant driving your own destiny, the U.S. system often makes your employer the primary petitioner. They are the ones who, in most cases, must initiate and pay for the key steps. Your path is less about an individual score and more about forming a valuable partnership.
This is the fundamental shift in mindset you need. You’re not just proving your worth to a government algorithm; you’re proving your indispensable value to a specific American company.
The Stepping Stone: Temporary Work Visas
Most people start here. These visas get you in the door to work and live, but they are not permanent. Think of them as bridges.
The H-1B Visa: The Famous Lottery
This is the one you’ve heard of. For “specialty occupations” (jobs typically requiring a bachelor’s degree), like engineers, IT specialists, and analysts.
- The Catch: There’s an annual cap of 85,000 new visas, and applications far exceed that. It’s a literal lottery held every April. Getting an H-1B is often the first huge hurdle, and it’s pure chance.
- The Reality: Even with a perfect job offer, your entry rests on a random computer draw. Many talented people try for years.
The L-1 Visa: The Corporate Transfer
If you’ve worked for a multinational company (like an IT firm, bank, or manufacturer) outside the U.S. for at least one year, you might transfer to its U.S. office.
- The Advantage: No annual lottery. The process is more predictable.
- The Requirement: You must be a manager or have “specialized knowledge.” The company must have a qualifying relationship between its foreign and U.S. offices.
The O-1 Visa: For Extraordinary Ability
This is for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim in fields like science, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- The Bar: It’s set very high. You need extensive evidence—major awards, published material, high salary, judging the work of others. It’s not for typical professionals, but for the top of their field.
The TN Visa: For Canadians and Mexicans
Under the USMCA trade agreement, citizens of Canada and Mexico in certain professional fields (like architects, scientists, management consultants) can get this visa.
- The Advantage: No lottery, no annual cap. It’s often processed at the border or airport in minutes with the right paperwork.
- The Limitation: It’s for temporary intent, though it can be renewed indefinitely.
The Destination: Employment-Based Green Cards
This is the goal—permanent residency. The most common categories for skilled workers are EB-2 and EB-3.
The EB-3 Visa: For “Professionals” (jobs requiring a U.S. bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and “Skilled Workers” (jobs requiring at least 2 years of training/experience).
The EB-2 Visa: For “Professionals with Advanced Degrees” (Master’s or higher) or persons with “Exceptional Ability.”
Here lies the most important, and often most frustrating, part of the process: PERM Labor Certification.
Before an employer can even file for your EB-2 or EB-3 green card, they must go through PERM. This is a months-long process where the U.S. Department of Labor requires your employer to prove they couldn’t find a qualified, willing, and available U.S. worker for your job. They must advertise the role, conduct interviews, and document the entire recruitment effort. Only after this exhaustive (and expensive) process is approved can they move forward with your green card petition.
The National Interest Waiver (NIW): A Special EB-2 Path
This is the closest the U.S. gets to a points-like, self-driven option. With an NIW, you can petition for yourself without a permanent job offer or PERM. You must prove:
- Your proposed work has both substantial merit and national importance.
- You are well-positioned to advance that work.
- It would benefit the U.S. to waive the job offer and PERM requirements.
It’s complex and evidence-heavy, but it’s a powerful path for researchers, entrepreneurs, and highly accomplished professionals.
So, What’s Your Real Game Plan?
Given this landscape, your strategy changes.
- Focus on the Job Offer, Not the Portal: Your energy should go into becoming an irresistible candidate. Network strategically on LinkedIn, target U.S. companies known for sponsorship, and perfect your resume for the American market.
- Ask the Right Questions: In interviews, don’t just ask, “Do you sponsor visas?” Be specific: “Are you open to sponsoring an H-1B and, in time, a green card through the PERM process?” This shows you understand the commitment.
- Explore All Your Avenues: Are you Canadian? The TN is your golden ticket. Have you worked for a global firm for a year? Explore the L-1. Do you have a stellar portfolio of publications and awards? The O-1 or EB-2 NIW might be your path.
- Embrace the Long Game: Mentally and financially prepare for a multi-year journey. The process is measured in years, not months. Patience is not a virtue here; it’s a requirement.
While America may not have a one-click “Express Entry,” its door is still open to talent. The path is just more rugged, more partnership-dependent, and demands a deeper well of patience and strategy. Your American dream isn’t accessed through a government login page—it’s built through a combination of your unique skills, a willing employer, and a meticulous legal process. Start by mapping your skills to the pathway that fits them best.
Your American Path: Built, Not Found
So, here’s the takeaway. You won’t find an “Express Entry” login page for the United States. What you will find is something arguably more powerful: a system that responds directly to proven value and strategic partnerships. The American pathway isn’t about waiting for an algorithm to pick you. It’s about making yourself so clearly valuable that a U.S. company is willing to navigate a long, expensive legal maze for you.
This changes everything about how you approach your dream. Stop looking for a single government application and start looking for the right human connection. Your application isn’t a form you fill out in isolation; it’s your resume, your interview performance, your professional network, and the compelling case you build with a future employer. Your “points” are measured in the salary they’re willing to pay, the title they create for you, and the legal fees they agree to spend.
Frequently Asked Questions: The U.S. Pathway for Skilled Workers
Here are clear answers to the practical questions you’re really asking.
If there’s no Express Entry, what’s the fastest way to get a U.S. work visa?
For eligible candidates, the absolute fastest is the TN visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens. Applications can be processed in minutes at a port of entry with the correct paperwork. For others, the L-1 intra-company transfer is often the quickest route if you’ve worked for a qualifying multinational firm for over a year, typically processing in a few months. The O-1 visa for extraordinary ability is also cap-exempt and can be relatively swift but requires extensive evidence gathering.
Can I apply for a green card directly, without a work visa first?
Yes, but it’s uncommon for most. The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) allows certain professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability to “self-petition” for a green card without a permanent job offer or employer sponsor. It’s a direct but highly evidence-intensive route. For the standard EB-2/EB-3 green cards, you almost always need an employer to start the process, which usually begins while you are working for them on a visa like the H-1B.
How important are my university degrees in this process?
Extremely important, but in a specific way. For an H-1B visa, the job must require a bachelor’s degree, and you must hold one that is equivalent to a U.S. degree. For the EB-2 green card category, you generally need a master’s degree or higher (or a bachelor’s degree plus 5 years of progressive experience). An official credential evaluation from an agency like WES is a mandatory step to prove this equivalence. Your degree is a foundational requirement, not just a point-scoring factor.
What happens if I lose my job while on an H-1B?
You have a 60-day grace period to find a new employer who will transfer your H-1B visa. If you don’t find one, you must leave the United States. The clock starts ticking the day your employment officially ends. This is one of the biggest stresses of the H-1B life, as your legal status is tied directly to that specific employer.
What is a “prevailing wage” and why does it matter?
For both the H-1B visa and the PERM green card process, your employer must pay you at least the “prevailing wage” for your job title in the specific geographic area of employment. This wage is determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. It matters because if the offered salary is below this government-set threshold, the application will be denied. It’s designed to protect U.S. workers and ensure immigrant workers are not underpaid.
Is the Green Card Lottery a real option I should consider?
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery is a real, free program that awards about 50,000 green cards annually to people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates. If you’re eligible, you should absolutely enter—it’s free and conducted online. However, treat it as a true lottery. The odds of winning are very low (often less than 1%), and it should never be your primary immigration plan. It’s a “why not?” backup, not a strategy.
Do I need a lawyer, or can I do this myself?
For anything beyond a simple TN visa application, you need a qualified U.S. immigration attorney. The processes for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and especially employment-based green cards are complex legal procedures with high stakes. A single form error or missed deadline can lead to denial or years of delay. Your employer’s legal team will usually handle the company’s side, but having your own counsel ensures your personal interests are fully protected throughout the multi-year journey.