The H-3 visa allows foreign nationals to come to the U.S. for training (other than graduate medical training) not available in their home country. It also covers Special Education Exchange Visitors. The H-3 is designed for genuine training programs — not productive employment — and is widely used by multinational companies training foreign personnel for overseas operations.
The training program must be: (1) not available in the beneficiary's home country; (2) primarily for the benefit of the beneficiary, not the U.S. employer; (3) involve no productive employment except as incidental to training; (4) prepare the beneficiary for a career outside the United States; and (5) include a structured curriculum with classroom instruction or supervised on-the- job training.
Employer files Form I-129 with detailed training plan including: program description, schedule of training activities, type of training in each phase, hours of classroom vs. on-the-job training, supervisor qualifications, why training is unavailable abroad, why beneficiary needs U.S. training, and how training will benefit beneficiary's career outside U.S.
Required: detailed structured training program; curriculum and schedule; explanation of why training is unavailable in home country; demonstration that productive work is incidental; proof beneficiary will leave U.S. after training; and offer letter outlining training compensation (if any).
I-129 base fee; Asylum Program Fee; Premium processing optional.
Initial admission up to two years (24 months); Special Education Exchange Visitor up to 18 months. Cannot be extended beyond original training period. After completing H-3, beneficiary cannot return in H or L status until residing abroad for six months.
We help multinational corporations design compliant H-3 training programs, including detailed training schedules, curriculum development, and audit-ready documentation. RFEs are common — our experience helps craft training plans that withstand USCIS scrutiny.
If your organization needs to bring trainees from foreign affiliates, we can structure H-3 programs that meet USCIS standards while serving your business objectives.
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