For most people moving from China, the hardest part of working in the United States is not finding a job but getting the right status. The US has no general “come first, find work later” work visa: nearly all PRC citizens need an employer sponsor, usually through the H-1B specialty occupation visa, the L-1 intracompany transfer, or OPT after studying in the US. Working for a US employer on a B tourist or business visa is unauthorised employment and can lead to refusal or a bar on entry.
The good news is that the labour market is steady: unemployment was 4.2% in September 2026 and median weekly earnings for full-time employees were US$1,251 in Q2 2026, roughly RMB 8,400 a week at the current rate. This guide covers work visas (including the H-1B rules still changing in 2026), salary levels by sector, the basics of US labour law and where to look for jobs, with comparisons to pay at home.
The US job market at a glance
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), released in October 2026, unemployment was 4.2% in September and has moved in a narrow 4.1%–4.3% range since March 2026, with about 7.1 million people unemployed. The rate for Asian workers was 2.9%, the lowest of the major groups. Note that October 2025 data were not collected because of the federal government shutdown.
Median weekly earnings for full-time employees were $1,251 in Q2 2026, up 4.6% year on year against 3.9% inflation; for Asian full-time workers the median was $1,713. Sectors that hire many foreign professionals include tech, healthcare, finance, accounting, university research and engineering. In cities with large Chinese communities such as New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Seattle and Houston, Mandarin speakers also find roles in cross-border e-commerce, Chinese-owned companies, banks’ Chinese-client teams, medical interpreting and community services.
Main work visas
US work visas are almost always employer-petitioned; you cannot apply for one on your own. Work out which category fits you first, then look for an employer willing to sponsor it. For entry documents and the consular interview, see our US visa guide.
| Category | Who it suits | Key points (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B specialty occupation | Bachelor’s degree or higher, professional role | Annual cap of 65,000 plus 20,000 for US master’s or higher; lottery; usually 3 years initially, generally up to 6 years |
| L-1 intracompany transfer | Staff of an overseas company related to a US company | At least 1 continuous year with the related company abroad in the past 3 years; L-1A for managers/executives, L-1B for specialised knowledge; no lottery |
| O-1 extraordinary ability | Outstanding achievement in science, arts, education, business or athletics | No cap or lottery, but a high evidence bar (awards, publications, press) |
| F-1 student OPT | International students who completed a US degree | Generally up to 12 months, plus a 24-month STEM extension; requires an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) |
| Employment-based green card (EB) | Employer-sponsored or self-petitioning top talent | Long backlogs for people born in mainland China, see below |
Some dependants can also work, for example L-2 spouses and eligible H-4 spouses (usually once the principal’s I-140 has been approved), who may apply for work authorisation. Working for and being paid by a US employer on a B-1/B-2 visa is not allowed, however short the job.
H-1B: the new lottery and the status of the $100,000 fee
The H-1B is the main work visa for Chinese graduates and professionals, and its rules changed a lot in 2025–2026. Here is what we could confirm as of 21 October 2026:
- Wage-weighted lottery: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule took effect on 27 February 2026 and was used for the first time in the FY 2027 lottery. The higher the prevailing wage level of the offered salary, the better the odds: Level IV gets 4 entries, Level III 3, Level II 2 and Level I 1. The registration fee is $215 per registration.
- The $100,000 fee: a presidential proclamation of 19 September 2025 required an extra $100,000 for new H-1B workers entering from abroad. On 8 June 2026 a federal district court in Massachusetts vacated the agency guidance implementing it; after the First Circuit refused to stay that ruling on 24 July 2026, the fee has not been collected in practice. A new proclamation of 18 September 2026 extended the restriction to 21 September 2027; on 30 September the federal district court for the Northern District of California (Global Nurse Force v. Trump) vacated the agency policies implementing both proclamations and barred enforcement until notice-and-comment rulemaking is completed. The government has appealed that ruling, and a separate Washington DC case that upheld the fee is still on appeal. In short: not being collected now, but the litigation is not over.
- Another proposed fee: in August 2026 DHS proposed a $103,265 fee on all cap-subject H-1B petitions; as of our check it is still only a proposal. The Department of Labor also proposed higher prevailing wage levels for H-1B and green card cases in March 2026.
- March registrationEmployer registers online, $215 each
- Results by end of MarchWeighted selection, winners notified
- Labor Condition ApplicationEmployer files an LCA with the DOL, committing to at least the prevailing wage
- File 1 April–30 JuneEmployer files Form I-129
- Consular interviewApplicants in China attend a US embassy or consulate
- Start from 1 OctoberEarliest start date in the new fiscal year
If you study in the US, a common route is to enter the H-1B lottery while on OPT (up to 3 years in total for STEM graduates), giving you more than one chance. OPT itself may change: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a proposed rule with a new fee of $70,000 for a first OPT recommendation and $30,000 for each later one. It is a proposal only, and who ultimately bears the fee depends on the final rule.
Green card backlogs: patience needed if born in mainland China
Employment-based green cards queue by country of birth. The US Department of State’s October 2026 Visa Bulletin lists these dates for people born in mainland China (the “final action date” is when a green card can be approved):
| Category | Final action date | Date for filing |
|---|---|---|
| EB-1 extraordinary ability / multinational managers | 1 July 2023 | 1 July 2024 |
| EB-2 advanced degree / exceptional ability | 1 October 2021 | 1 January 2023 |
| EB-3 professionals and skilled workers | 8 January 2022 | 1 April 2024 |
| EB-5 investors (unreserved) | 1 December 2016 | 1 March 2021 |
By comparison, the EB-2 final action date for all other countries (excluding China, India and a few others) is 1 January 2025, more than three years ahead of mainland China. Check the latest dates each month in the State Department Visa Bulletin.
US salary levels compared with China
The chart shows annual mean wages from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey for May 2025. The gap between professional and service jobs is wide, and pay varies a lot by state, with California, New York and Washington generally higher.
At the PBOC central parity of 6.7192 RMB per US dollar on 21 October 2026 (we use about 6.72 below): software developers average $148,100, about RMB 995,000; registered nurses $101,420, about RMB 682,000; all occupations $69,770, about RMB 469,000. China’s National Bureau of Statistics reports that in 2025 the average annual wage was RMB 129,441 in urban non-private units and RMB 71,590 in private units.
Do not compare the headline numbers alone: US salaries are gross, before federal income tax, state tax (some states have none) and Social Security and Medicare taxes, see our US tax guide; rent and healthcare also cost far more than at home, see our US renting guide.
Labour law basics
- Minimum wage: the federal minimum is $7.25 an hour (about RMB 48.7); states may set higher rates. According to the Department of Labor state minimum wage table (updated 1 July 2026): Washington $17.13, New York City, Long Island and Westchester $17.00 (rest of New York State $16.00), California $16.90, while Texas remains at $7.25.
- Overtime: under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees generally earn 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 a week; California and some other states also have daily overtime rules. Executive, administrative and professional staff paid at least $684 a week ($35,568 a year) who meet the duties tests can be exempt.
- At-will employment: apart from a few exceptions such as Montana, most US jobs can be ended by either side at any time, with no statutory severance like China’s economic compensation, but dismissal may not be discriminatory on grounds such as race, national origin, sex or age.
- I-9 and E-Verify: every new hire completes Form I-9, and the employer must examine identity and work authorisation documents within 3 business days of the start date; some employers also check online through E-Verify.
- Social Security number (SSN): foreigners with work authorisation can apply to the Social Security Administration for an SSN, used for payroll and taxes and often needed to open a bank account, see our US banking guide.
Pros
- Professional salaries are far above Chinese levels
- Clear rules on working hours and overtime
- Established route from OPT to H-1B to green card
Challenges
- H-1B lottery, with fees and rules still changing in 2026
- Long green card backlogs for people born in mainland China
- At-will employment, little protection in layoffs; health insurance tied to the employer
Because health insurance usually comes through the employer, check our US insurance guide before changing jobs or if you are laid off.
Job search channels and preparation
Federal government jobs are posted on USAJOBS, but most federal positions require US citizenship; every state labour department runs a job bank, which you can find through the DOL-sponsored CareerOneStop. For private-sector roles the most used channels are general platforms such as LinkedIn and Indeed, company career pages and university career centres. Mandarin speakers can also watch the job sections of Chinese-language media in cities with large Chinese communities, but screen offers carefully.
Prepare an English CV (US résumés normally leave out photo, age and marital status) and your degree certificates with English translations; some employers and immigration filings require a credential evaluation, and for authenticating Chinese degrees see degree authentication. Nurses, doctors, lawyers and accountants also need the relevant US licence.
Watch out for fake job offers and H-1B scams: the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that jobs that ask you to pay first for equipment, training or a “guaranteed H-1B slot” are almost always scams. Legitimate H-1B registration and petition fees are paid by the employer, and nobody can guarantee selection. Entering on a B visa or ESTA to “work first and change status later” is illegal and can lead to removal and future visa refusals.
If you are still comparing destinations, see working in Canada, working in the UK and working in Australia; for more on life in America see our United States country guide.
FAQ
Do I still have to pay $100,000 for an H-1B?
As of 21 October 2026 the $100,000 fee is not being collected because of rulings by federal courts in Massachusetts and California, but the government has appealed, and DHS has separately proposed a fee of about $103,000. Ask the employer’s attorney to confirm the current position before filing.
Can I apply for an H-1B without a US degree?
Yes. A Chinese bachelor’s degree or higher (or equivalent experience) qualifies for the 65,000 regular cap lottery, but not for the 20,000 places reserved for US master’s graduates.
Can I attend interviews on a tourist visa?
Entering on a B visa to attend interviews or business meetings is generally permitted, but you may not start work or be paid by a US employer.
How long does it take to find a job in the US?
There is no official figure for foreign job seekers. Roles that need visa sponsorship usually take longer, so start at least six months ahead and plan around the H-1B registration window each March.
Sources
- BLS – Unemployment rate little changed at 4.2 percent in September 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- BLS – Usual Weekly Earnings of Wage and Salary Workers, Second Quarter 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- BLS – Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025 (OEWS news release) (accessed October 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor – State Minimum Wage Laws (updated 1 July 2026) (accessed October 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor – FLSA salary levels for the EAP exemption (accessed October 2026)
- USCIS – H-1B Specialty Occupations (accessed October 2026)
- USCIS – DHS Changes Process for Awarding H-1B Work Visas (weighted selection) (accessed October 2026)
- USCIS – L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager (accessed October 2026)
- USCIS – Form I-9: Completing Section 2 (accessed October 2026)
- U.S. Department of State – Visa Bulletin for October 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- Forbes (media, backup) – Judge Strikes Down Latest Version Of $100,000 H-1B Immigration Fee, 1 Oct 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- University of Colorado Boulder ISSS (university advisory) – $100,000 H-1B fee: current status, 7 Oct 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- Ogletree (law firm, backup) – USCIS Completes FY 2027 H-1B Lottery (accessed October 2026)
- BAL (law firm, backup) – FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period (accessed October 2026)
- Boston University ISSO (university advisory) – DHS proposes new OPT fees, 8 Oct 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- Duane Morris (law firm, backup) – DOL proposes increases to prevailing wage levels, Mar 2026 (accessed October 2026)
- FTC – Job Scams (accessed October 2026)
- 国家统计局 – 2025年城镇单位就业人员工资平稳增长（2026年5月15日） (accessed October 2026)
- 中国新闻网 – 10月21日人民币对美元中间价报6.7192 (accessed October 2026)
