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NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

Temporary Work Visas

Anyone going to the United States with the intention of working there temporarily must obtain a nonimmigrant work visa. Persons entering the United States on a visitor or business visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program are not permitted to work.

The United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment. Work visas are based on a specific offer of employment from a U.S. employer.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for a temporary work visa.

Common categories of nonimmigrant work visas

TEMPORARY WORK VISA (H)

Required if you are to perform a prearranged professional or highly skilled job for a temporary period, or to fill a temporary position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers, or receive training from an employer. The employment or training must be approved in advance by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. Read more...

TEMPORARY WORK VISA (H-1C)

Required by registered nurses seeking temporary employment in the U.S. Employment is limited to areas designated as "health professional shortage areas" by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Registered nurses practicing under the H-1C visa may be admitted for three years with no extensions. Read more...

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREE VISA (L-1)

Required by an alien who is being transferred by his current employer to a specific executive or technical job with the same firm, or subsidiary thereof, in the United States. The employment must be approved in advance by the USCIS in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. Read more...

TREATY TRADER/INVESTOR VISAS (E -1 AND E-2)

Required by a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country; or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which you have invested; or are in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital, may qualify for a Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor visa. Read more...

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— ADDITIONAL INFO —

For additional information for all Foreign Visitors:
http://travel.state.gov.
Visa wait time information page
Department of Homeland Security
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Customs Service

 



updated: 01/14/09


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