Work Visas & Employment-Based Immigration in Tennessee
H-1B, L-1, O-1, PERM labor certification, E-Verify requirements, and professional licensing in Tennessee.
Common work visa categories
| Duration | Key requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| H-1B | 3 years (renewable to 6) §8 U.S.C. 1101 | Specialty occupation requiring bachelor's degree or higher |
| L-1 | 1-3 years (renewable) §8 U.S.C. 1101 | Intracompany transferee in managerial or specialized knowledge role |
| O-1 | 3 years (renewable) §8 U.S.C. 1101 | Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics |
| TN | 3 years (renewable) §8 U.S.C. 1101 | USMCA (formerly NAFTA) professional from Canada or Mexico |
| E-2 | 2 years (renewable) §8 U.S.C. 1101 | Treaty investor from qualifying country |
E-Verify in Tennessee
Required for all private employers with 35 or more full-time equivalent employees under the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act (threshold lowered from 50 to 35 effective Jan 2023). Smaller employers may use E-Verify voluntarily or verify through alternative TLEA-approved document checks. §50-1-703
Professional licensing
Tennessee requires lawful presence for professional licensing. DACA recipients with valid work authorization may be eligible for certain licenses.
PERM labor certification
For permanent employment-based green cards, most employers must complete the PERM labor certification process through the Department of Labor, demonstrating that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position §8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5).
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