For many international professionals, hands-on training in the United States can be a powerful step in building a future career. But not everyone is looking for a permanent placement—sometimes the goal is to learn and return. The H-3 visa provides a path for foreign nationals to receive just that.
This lesser-known nonimmigrant visa is designed for specialized training, and it allows you to develop new skills and access training that may not be available in your home country across fields like agriculture, finance, commerce, and technology. We at Remitly understand that processes like these can seem overwhelming, which is why we’ve created this guide. We’ll break down eligibility, how to apply, and how to make sure you get a chance to develop your career through this visa.
What is the H-3 visa?
The H-3 visa is a temporary visa for individuals who want to participate in a training program in the US. These programs are meant to teach you skills that aren’t available in your home country and help you use that knowledge to grow professionally when you return to wherever you call home.
Training under the H-3 visa can take place in a range of industries. While you can’t use this visa to become a doctor (graduate medical education is not covered), most other sectors are open—including agriculture, business, communications, and transportation. The key requirement is that the training must be both structured and educational; it is not a work visa.
H-3 visa eligibility requirements
To qualify for an H-3 visa, you must be invited by a US organization to take part in a formal training program. The training must be unavailable in your home country, and it must be designed to prepare you for a career outside of the United States.
It is not intended to provide applicants with jobs. Your sponsor, whether an individual or organization, will need to prove a few things:
- The proposed training is not available in your home country
- It will not displace a US worker
- Your tasks will not be part of the company’s normal business operations unless they are essential to the training
- The training will help the trainee pursue a career outside the US
If you’re accepted, you can receive training in almost anything; opportunities from agriculture to aviation await.
Required training program structure
To be considered eligible under the H-3 visa, the sponsoring organization must submit a detailed plan of what the training will involve. This includes explaining how much time will be spent in a classroom versus in the field, what supervision will be provided, and how the program will help prepare you for a job outside the US.
The sponsor also needs to clarify why the training must happen in the US and what benefits—if any—they receive from offering it. Just as importantly, the applicant must show that they intend to return home once the training is complete. This could mean providing documentation of family ties, a job offer, or ownership of a business or property back home.
How to apply for an H-3 visa
The H-3 application process involves two main steps: the sponsor’s petition and the applicant’s visa application. This requires accurate documentation from both parties. You’ll need to follow all the steps closely to make sure that your application is approved.
Step 1: Petition from the US sponsor
Your US sponsor will need to file Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker) with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This form must be submitted by mail, and it comes with a filing fee of $2,805 USD.
Along with the form, the sponsor must include the training program details, evidence that similar training isn’t available in your home country, and an explanation of how the training fits into your long-term career plans. They will also need to describe how you will support yourself during your stay, and confirm that the training will not involve productive employment.
Step 2: Visa application by the trainee
Once the I-129 petition is approved, you (the trainee) will need to complete and submit Form DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application). This step is similar to applying for most other US nonimmigrant visas.
To complete this form, you will need:
- A valid passport
- A recent digital photo that meets US passport standards
- Proof of funds to support your stay
- Evidence of ties to your home country (bank accounts, job offer, family ties, etc.)
You will be asked about your family, work history, and other details, so make sure you have everything organized and written down. After submitting the DS-160, pay the $185 visa fee and save your confirmation page.
Step 3: Visa interview
After submitting your DS-160 form, you’ll schedule an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. Bring all relevant documentation, including your passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, proof of your ties to your home country, and a copy of the approved Form I-129 or the I-797 approval notice (which your sponsor should provide).
How long does the process take?
If the interview goes well, you’ll be issued with your H-3 visa. It typically takes USCIS about four to six weeks to process Form I-129, and scheduling an interview through your local embassy can take an additional one to three months. Because of these timelines, your sponsor should submit the petition at least six months before the training program is set to begin.
Common challenges with H-3 visa applications
The H-3 visa isn’t as well-known as other visa types, and because it is quite specific, applicants sometimes face some challenges along the way.
Training vs. employment
One of the most common issues is when the training program appears to be regular employment. The H-3 visa is not a work visa, so any suggestion that you’ll be doing a job instead of learning could lead to visa denial.
To avoid this, sponsors should provide a detailed description, emphasizing the educational nature of the training they will be giving and how much time is spent on instruction versus hands-on tasks.
Proving you’ll return home
Because this is a nonimmigrant visa, you must show strong reasons to return home after your training. This can be a tricky thing to prove, especially if you’re early in your career or don’t yet have long-term ties. However, evidence like family responsibilities, job offers, owning a business, or business documents can help support your case.
Lack of comparable training abroad
Another challenge is showing that similar training isn’t available in your home country. If you’ve researched other training programs or contacted universities and employers with no success, include that evidence in your application. Your sponsor should also explain what makes their training program unique.
H-3 visa validity, renewal, and benefits
The H-3 visa can be granted for up to two years, depending on the length of the training program. However, extensions are uncommon. Once the training is complete, you’re expected to return home.
If you wish to stay in the US longer, you would need to apply for a different type of visa. There is no guarantee that another visa will be approved, especially since the H-3 is designed for temporary stays and intended for you to take your training back to your home country.
Specific benefits
For those who qualify, the H-3 visa offers a lot of value.
- Gain specialized skills that give you a professional edge and increase your value.
- Build connections with industry leaders and like-minded thinkers in a global industry.
- Learn in a US-based environment, using technologies, tools, and methods that may not yet be available in your country.
- Experience a new culture and new way of life, with immersive learning opportunities.
- Improve your employment prospects in your home country.
- Leave and reenter the United States as many times as you wish during the validity period.
It’s also important to note that it is possible to bring your family with you while you complete your training. Your spouse and dependent children under 21 can apply for an H-4 visa to accompany you while you are in the US. They will not be able to work, but they will be able to experience living in the US during your training period.
Is the H-3 visa right for you?
The H-3 visa is not for everyone—it requires a clear training plan, a US-based sponsor, and a strong commitment to returning home afterward. But for professionals who meet the criteria, it offers a unique way to boost your career, gain rare experience, and build long-term value in your home country.
Whether you’re just beginning your training journey or helping sponsor something through the process, being informed is the best first step. Talk to your prospective sponsor, review your eligibility, and start preparing the necessary documents early.
If you’re serious about building a globally relevant skill set, the H-3 visa might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
FAQs
What types of programs qualify for the H-3 Visa?
Specialized training that qualifies for the H-3 visa is available in most industries. The one exception is in medical training. Programs that lead to an H-3 visa need to be very detailed.
Can H-3 visa holders work in the US during their training program?
No, the H-3 visa is only for training, not work. You may need to show proof of income or savings to demonstrate that you can support yourself in the US while you receive your training.
How long does it take to process an H-3 visa application?
Currently, USCIS takes four to six weeks to process your sponsor’s application. Processing your required Form DS-160 and attending an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country could take one to three months. Your sponsor should start the process at least six months before your training is set to begin.
Are any family members eligible to accompany H-3 visa holders to the US?
Immediate family members (spouses and dependent unmarried children under 21) can apply for an H-4 visa to accompany an H-3 visa holder during their time in the US. The H-4 visa is dependent on the H-3 visa, and it does not give your family the right to work in the US.
What happens if the training program ends earlier than planned?
Once your training is over, you are expected to return to your home country. Failure to do so may harm your ability to get other US visas in the future.