Types of Work Visas
- H-1B Visa: Peron in Specialty Occupation. The H-1B visa requires a college degree or equivalent and expertise in a...
- H-1B1 Visa: Free Trade Agreement Professional. H-1B1 visas are only for citizens of Chile and Singapore. They have...
- H-2A Visa: Temporary Agricultural Worker. This allows a person to work as a temporary or seasonal agricultural worker.
Full Answer
What are the most common U.S. work visa types?
Common Types of Work Visas for the United States Temporary Worker Visas. If you are entering into the United States to work for a set period of time and do not plan to stay in the U.S. ... Exchange Visitor Visa. Another type of work visa available for a citizen of a foreign country who wants to work in the United States is the Exchange Visitor Visa. Media Visa. ... NAFTA Professional Worker Visa. ...
What are the types of working visa?
Work Visas and Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. Work Visas Requirements. ...
- U.S. Green Cards. ...
- Green Card Lottery Programs. ...
- Exchange Visitor Visas. ...
- Temporary Work Visas (Non-Agricultural) U.S. ...
- Temporary Worker Visas (Skilled Workers) U.S. ...
- Seasonal Agricultural Worker Visas. ...
- Eligibility to Work in the United States. ...
What are different visas to work in US?
- H1B . This is one of the popular ones. ...
- L1 visa. This category is for employees who are transferred from their overseas offices to US offices. ...
- There are few more which may be of interest to you. EAD for spouses of L1 visa holders. ...
- EAD for spouses of H1B visa holders. ...
- EAD (OPT) under FI visa. ...
Is a work permit and a visa different from each other?
The difference between visa and work permit is that visa is a document acquired by an individual to enter a specific country whereas work permit is an employment letter issued by an employer to the employee needed for entering the country.
How many types of work visas are there in the US?
The employment based category is divided into five sections: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. If you are interested in working in the US, you may be eligible to obtain a Green Card under one of these categories.
What are the 5 categories for the permanent work visas?
There are five key types of employment-based visas:First Preference EB-1. EB-1 covers those with “extraordinary ability” such as business professionals, academics and researchers, scientists, the arts, or athletics. ... Second Preference EB-2. ... Third Preference EB-3. ... Fourth Preference EB-4. ... Fifth Preference EB-5.
What is the most common work visa?
H-1B specialty occupation visaAmong the various work visa types in the U.S., the H-1B specialty occupation visa is the most popular. The temporary work visa is available to foreign nationals who work in specialty occupations, such as engineering and computer science.
What are the 4 types of visa?
Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
How long can you stay in America with a work visa?
six yearsUnder U.S. law, a foreign worker with an H-1B visa can stay in the U.S. for a maximum of six years (plus extensions in certain circumstances, discussed below). The H-1B visa and status is initially valid for three years and can then be extended for another three years.
Which visa allows you to work in USA?
Visa Classifications That Allow You To Work In The United StatesVisa ClassificationDefinitionF-1Foreign academic student, when certain conditions are metH-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3Temporary workerIForeign information media representativeJ-1Exchange visitor, when certain conditions are met10 more rows
Is it hard to get a work visa?
Don't be intimidated by a long visa process—it'll pay off (sometimes literally). The work visa application process varies depending on your nationality and destination, but usually you'll need to first secure a job offer and sponsorship. Depending on your destination, you may also need to prove residency.
How much does a US work visa cost?
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.
How long does it take to get a work visa?
about two to seven monthsHow Long Does It Take to Get a Work Visa? In general, it takes about two to seven months for the USCIS to process a work permit application. The time your work visa processes will highly depend on the type of visa you applied for. However, with extensive backlogs, there are longer wait times for obtaining work visas.
Which visa is easy to get?
Singapore A beautiful concrete jungle, Singapore is amongst the most expensive cities in the world, yet the easiest to travel to for Indians. With well-connected flights and a quick and straightforward E- visa application process, Singapore should be on the top of your travel list. Singapore has a lot to offer.
What is j1 and F1 visa?
The F-1 visa is the most common visa used by international students at Princeton. Most students are eligible for an F-1 visa as long as they have been admitted to Princeton. 2. J-1 status. The J-1 status is often used for students who are in a specific educational exchange program such as Fulbright.
What is H1B visa?
What is the H-1B Visa Category? The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
What are visa classifications?
Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories....Nonimmigrant Visa Categories.Purpose of TravelVisa CategoryRequired: Before applying for visa*Performing athlete, artist, entertainerPUSCISPhysicianJ , H-1BSEVISProfessor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor)JSEVISReligious workerRUSCIS31 more rows
What are the EAD categories?
USCIS issues the following types of EADs:Initial EAD: This document proves you are allowed to work in the United States.Renewal EAD: This document renews your initial EAD. ... Replacement EAD: This document replaces a lost, stolen, or mutilated EAD.
What is V 1 V 2 or V 3 nonimmigrant?
A V visa allows a spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 of a Lawful Permanent Resident to access, live and work in the United States as non-immigrants until they become lawful permanent residents. The spouse receives a V-1 visa and the children are given a V-2 or V-3 visa.
What type of visa is a permanent resident card?
Green cards are technically a type of visa that allows for permanent residence. Green cards are issued after arrival in the United States. To qualify for a green card, the applicant must have an immigrant visa already, and applications are made to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What is a work visa?
What's a U.S. work visa and why do you need one? A visa is a document that provides authorization for travel to and admittance to the United States. Before visiting, working, or immigrating to the U.S., generally a citizen of a foreign country must first obtain a U.S. visa. 1 .
What is a visa for employment?
The visa provides entry to the U.S. and , depending on the type of visa obtained, may provide authorization for employment in the U.S.
Can you review employment authorization documents?
You can review information on Employment Authorization Documents and how to acquire, renew, or replace them.
What are some examples of TN visas?
employer, and that your position qualifies for the TN visa under NAFTA. Examples include accountants, engineers, lawyers, pharmacists, scientists, and teachers.
What is an O-1 visa?
The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is for aliens of extraordinary ability who are coming to the U.S. to work in their field of expertise. To obtain an O-1 visa, you must have an offer of employment from a U.S. employer and prove that you are extraordinary in your field.
What is an L-1 nonimmigrant visa?
The L-1 nonimmigrant visa is for employees who work for a foreign company that is an affiliate of a U.S. company. L-1 employees are transferred from the foreign company branch to the U.S. company branch. Or, the L-1 employee can be transferred by the foreign company to the U.S. in order to establish a U.S. office.
What is an extraordinary ability visa?
The extraordinary ability visa is included in the employment-based 1st preference immigrant category (EB-1). Few foreign nationals qualify for extraordinary ability visas, because you have to demonstrate that you are in the top of your profession and that you have sustained international or national acclaim in your field.
How many years of progressive experience do you need to get an EB-2?
Alternatively, if you do not have a master's, you might qualify for EB-2 if you have a bachelor's degree and five years of progressive experience.
How long do you have to work for a foreign affiliate to be eligible for L-1 status?
In either scenario, the L-1 employee must have worked for the foreign affiliate for one continuous year within the past three years immediately preceding entry into the United States. If, for example, you want to enter the U.S. in L-1 status in 2022, you must have worked for the foreign affiliate for at least one year during the time period of 2020 through 2022.
Do foreigners qualify for extraordinary ability visas?
Few foreign nationals qualify for extraordinary ability visas, because you have to demonstrate that you are in the top of your profession and that you have sustained international or national acclaim in your field. To do so, you must demonstrate that you meet three of ten prongs showing extraordinary ability.
What Is a Work Visa?
A United States work visa is an employment-based visa that allows foreign nationals to enter and stay in the United States while working legally. These visas are not permanent, and the duration a person is allowed to remain in the United States depends on the type of visa they are issued.
How a Work Visa Works
Work visas are for people who want to legally enter the United States for temporary employment. The duration of employment will be determined by the employer and the type of visa that is issued.
How To Get a Work Visa – Step-by-Step
Obtaining a work visa can be a complicated process, and several steps must be completed before, during, and after the visa process.
Types of Work Visas
There are several types of work visas in various categories. The type and purpose of work of the foreign national will determine what visa is appropriate.
How Long Do Work Visas Last?
A non-immigrant work visa duration depends on which visa is granted and the employer's hiring contract. H-1B visas, for example, can be valid for up to six years . The duration of an H-2A or an H-2B visa may vary depending on the labor certification but initially cannot be longer than one year.
Get Help with A Work Visa
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Meet some of our Work Visa Lawyers
Sammy Naji focuses his practice on assisting startups and small businesses in their transactional and litigation needs. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Sammy worked on Middle East diplomacy at the United Nations.
What is a work visa?
A work visa or work permit is a generic term for a legal authorization giving permission to work in a country where one does not hold citizenship. Typically, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either for temporary or permanent residence.
How many types of visas are there for non-US citizens?
It is very common to not be certain about what you need to do, or what type of visa to apply for, when bringing a non-US national to work for you because there are almost 60 different types of temporary visas .
How to get a work visa after paying fees?
Generally, after paying the fees and submitting your application you will need to sign-up for an interview and get the necessary documents ready for this. Information from this point forward will vary on the type of work visa and application you choose, but those are some of the basics and more information can be found on the USCIS’s website.
Why is it important to adhere to the terms of your employment application?
Additionally, it is important that you adhere to the terms of your application because any violation can result in removal or denial of re-entry into the United States. After figuring out the length of the stay of the employee, both the employer and the employee will have specific steps to take.
What is a green card?
Green Card - Permanent Residence to live and work in the U.S.
Specialty Workers (H-1B)
The H-1B categories apply to foreign nationals coming temporarily to perform services in a specialty occupation, or as a fashion model of distinguished merit and ability.
Registered Nurses (H-1Cs)
The H-1C category applies to a foreign national coming temporarily to perform services as a registered nurse in a health professional shortage area as determined by the United States DOL. Unfortunately, only 500 nurses can be granted H-1C status in a fiscal year nationally and therefore, it is not a widely used visa.
Very Temporary Foreign Labor (H-2B)
United States employers may petition for skilled or unskilled foreign workers to meet temporary or seasonal needs in positions for which qualified United States workers are not available. There is currently an annual cap of 66,000 visas for H-2B, non-agricultural workers.
Foreign National Trainees (H-3)
The H-3 classification applies to foreign nationals coming temporarily to the United States to participate in a training program. There are general H-3s, and those coming for special education training. There is currently no annual cap on H-3 admissions to the United States.
Intracompany Transferees (L-1)
The L-1 category applies to foreign nationals who work for a company with a parent, subsidiary, branch, or affiliate in the United States.
Foreign Nationals with Extraordinary Ability (Os)
The O category is reserved for foreign nationals of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (O-1), the artist’s or athlete’s support staff (O-2), and the O-1′s spouse and/or child (ren) (O-3).
Athletes, Entertainment Groups, Artists (Ps)
P-1 Athlete – The P-1 classification applies to a foreign national coming to the United States temporarily to perform at a specific athletic competition as an athlete individually, or as part of a group or team, at an internationally recognized level of performance.
What are the different types of non-immigrant visas?
There are many different types of non-immigrant visas, including those for business/tourists, students, exchange programs, transit employees, religious workers, domestic help, financial investors, victims of sex trade, spousal sponsorship and media, to name a few. There is even a visa for non-citizens working in the U.S. who are victims of crimes.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
This can be a helpful place to start. Any citizen of a foreign country wanting to enter the United States must secure a visa in most cases. Immigrant visas are for permanent residence, and non-immigrant visas are for a temporary stay as defined by immigration law.
Who must file a petition for an immigrant visa?
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. The petition is filed by either a qualified relative or a potential employer. Here are a few examples: Purpose of Travel. Example.
Is it important to get a visa lawyer?
Applying for a visa is not something you want to try on your own, and that’s why it’s important to choose a skilled and experienced visa lawyer to help you through the process .
H-1B Specialty Occupation
O-1 Visa
- This nonimmigrant visa is for people who have extraordinary skills within their field. To demonstrate that they are extraordinary at their job, they need to be able to show that they're at the top of their field and known nationally or internationally for their achievements.
E-1 Visa
- This type of visa allows people from certain countries to visit the U.S. to carry on trade activities. People can obtain this type of work visa as a Treaty Investor or Treaty Trader. If you want to come to the U.S. as an investor, you need to invest a large amount of money into a U.S> business and be able to show you're coming to develop your investment.
TN Visa
- The TN work visa was created by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It's specifically intended for Mexican or Canadian citizens who want to come to the U.S. to work for an employer. In order to qualify, you have to prove that you're a citizen of one of those countries, have a job offer from a U.S. employer and show that you have a position that qualifies you unde…
Australian Professional Specialty Visa
- This visa applies only to foreign nationals from Australia, their spouses and any children who are under the age of 21. The applicant must be going to the U.S. to work within a specialty occupation. There are a limited number of these visas issued each year, although the spouse and children of the applicant do not count toward that number. Applicants must have a bachelor's de…
Seasonal Agricultural Work Visas
- Seasonal agricultural worker visas (H2-A) are available for foreign workers who want to come to the U.S. to work on a temporary or seasonal basis, as long as there is a shortage of domestic employees. These temporary visas are limited to just three years and to qualify the worker must come from an approved country. Related: Common Overseas Jobs for Americans