You’ll need a temporary employment visa and an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). These visas are considered non-immigrant visas, which means that the employee will remain in the United States for a certain amount of time, and is not considered a permanent resident.
Some of the most common work visas include:
H-1B/H-1B2: for temporary professionals of specialty occupations. Click here for complete info.
L-1: for foreign workers who are transferring to the US office of an international company. Click here for more info.
O-1: for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, business, education or athletics. To find out more about the eligibility criteria, click here.
TN: for professionals from Canada and Mexico who want to work in the US. Click here for the specifics.
I: for journalists and media professionals.
P: for performing athletes, artists and entertainers.
Most of these visa categories require sponsorship from a company based in the United States (except the L-1). This means that you need a job offer before applying for a visa and the employer will sponsor it.
If you are a student completing your studies in the United States under an F or M visa, you might be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation.
Here is more information about work visa eligibility and a complete list of work visa categories.