Can H-3 trainees receive compensation during training?

Yes. H-3 trainees may receive compensation from the petitioning employer. However, the critical requirement is that the primary purpose of the training must not be productive employment — compensation must be incidental to the training program, not payment for productive labor performed for the company. USCIS will scrutinize whether the proportion of productive employment in the training plan is reasonable.

What is the difference between H-3 and J-1 training visas?

H-3 is sponsored directly by the U.S. employer through an I-129 petition to USCIS, with the training plan designed by the employer. J-1 training requires sponsorship through a DOS-designated exchange visitor program sponsor (DS-2019) and has a stronger cultural exchange component. J-1 is generally broader in scope and simpler to apply for, but H-3 is not subject to the J-1 two-year home country physical presence requirement.

What is the annual cap for H-3 special education exchange visitors?

There is an annual cap of only 50 H-3 special education exchange visitor visas per fiscal year. Due to the very limited number, competition for this category is significant. The regular H-3 trainee category has no annual numerical cap.

Can H-3 status be extended?

H-3 trainee status, including extensions, may not exceed a total of 2 years. H-3 special education exchange visitor status may not exceed 18 months total. No further extensions are available once the maximum is reached. The beneficiary must remain outside the United States for at least 6 months before becoming eligible for a new H-3 admission (subject to H/L recapture rules).

The Peng Law

H-3培训生/特殊教育签证

H-3 Trainee / Special Education

H-3签证适用于两类来美国接受培训的外籍人士：(1) H-3培训生——来美国在任何领域（研究生医学培训除外）接受雇主提供的培训，且该培训在其本国无法获得；(2)…

2-4 weeks培训计划制定

3-5 monthsUSCIS常规审批

1-3 weeks签证面签

2 years培训生最长居留

Overview

概述

H-3签证适用于两类来美国接受培训的外籍人士：(1) H-3培训生——来美国在任何领域（研究生医学培训除外）接受雇主提供的培训，且该培训在其本国无法获得；(2) H-3特殊教育交流访问者——来美国参与残疾儿童教育领域的实践培训项目。H-3培训生的最长居留期为2年，特殊教育交流访问者的最长居留期为18个月。特殊教育交流访问者每年有50个名额限制。H-3签证不以"生产性劳动"为目的，培训中的实际工作必须是培训的附属部分。

Eligibility

申请条件

【培训生】申请人所需的培训在其本国无法获得

【培训生】培训不能是研究生医学教育或培训

【培训生】雇主必须提供结构化的培训计划，包括课堂教学和实际操作的具体比例

【培训生】培训不能以让受益人进行"生产性劳动"为主要目的

【培训生】培训必须能使受益人回国后发展其职业生涯

【特殊教育】申请人须接近完成或已完成特殊教育专业的学士学位，或具有丰富的残疾儿童教育经验

【特殊教育】接收机构须有专业员工和结构化的残疾儿童教育项目

Application Process

申请流程