Work authorization in IT requirements: reading USC, GC, H1B, EAD and C2C

Almost every US IT requirement lists who can be considered: “USC/GC only”, “H1B transfer OK”, “no OPT”. Getting this wrong is the fastest way to waste a submission. This glossary covers the terms as they are commonly used in staffing. It is not legal advice; immigration rules change, and employers remain responsible for verifying eligibility.

Common work authorization terms

• USC: United States citizen.
• GC: lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
• GC EAD: a work permit issued while a green card application is pending.
• H1B: a temporary specialty-occupation work visa tied to a sponsoring employer. “H1B transfer” means a new employer would take over sponsorship.
• H4 EAD: work authorization for certain spouses of H1B holders.
• L2 EAD: work authorization for spouses of intracompany transferees (L1 visa holders).
• OPT and STEM OPT: temporary work authorization for F1 students after their studies.
• TN: a work status for qualifying Canadian and Mexican professionals.

Contract terms that travel with them

• W2: the consultant is an employee of the staffing firm, which runs payroll and taxes.
• 1099: the consultant is an independent contractor paid directly.
• C2C (corp-to-corp): the client or vendor pays the consultant’s own company or employer, which handles payroll.

A requirement that accepts “USC/GC, W2 only” and a consultant on H1B through their employer’s corporation are not a fit, however good the skills match. That is why work authorization and contract type belong in the first screen, not the third call.

How Zignaltalent handles it

When you paste a requirement, the accepted work authorizations are read from the text and shown for you to confirm. If the text does not say, the post records that it was not stated rather than assuming. In every match, work authorization is one of the screening checks, and an unknown is flagged as something to ask.