text: You need an H1 Visa unless you're from Canada or Mexico.  These are very difficult to get and require you have a job waiting for you and have a degree from a accrediated university in a relevant field (BS Comp Sci, Comp Eng, Math).  IT isn't a great way to get into the states anymore.  The field is flooded with locals that can't find work because all they have is a useless certification from Microsoft.