Non-immigrant visas enable temporary works and visitors to enter the U.S. for a specific period,
for the purpose related to their non-immigrant classifications.
Please find below the list of few most common types of non-immigrant classifications, here provided only high level general information. please
contact your attorney for more details on your eligibility and other details.
- B-1: Enables travelers to enter the U.S. for business activities not including employment,
such as meetings, conferences, or trainings. The initial period of stay is 1 to 6 months.
- E-3: Enables citizens of Australia to work in the U.S. in a specialty occupation position with a U.S. employer,
meaning the role requires the U.S. equivalent of a bachelor’s degree at a minimum.
E-3 applications may be applied for directly at a consulate abroad with an approved Labor
Condition Application. Workers may stay for an initial period of 2 years with indefinite extension.
- H-1B: The most common temporary employment visa, the H-1B allows workers to fill specialty occupation
positions for a maximum period of 6 years. Positions must meet wage requirements outlined in a
Labor Condition Application,
The number of new H-1B workers is restricted to 85,000 (20,000 for U.S. Masters; 65,000 for bachelors) per year.
If the amount of applicants exceeds 85,000, requiring a random selection during the first week of April each year.
- H-1B1: This category has qualification criteria similar to the H-1B, however this category
is limited to applicants from Singapore or Chile. 6,800 visas within the 65,000 H-1B numerical limit are
reserved for H-1B1 applicants, and unused spots are rolled over to the following year.
Applicants may apply directly for a visa at a consulate or apply through USCIS, and may apply at any time,
not just during the first week of April. H-1B1 workers are authorized to work for indefinite 1 year periods,
but are not allowed to possess the intent to seek permanent residency.
- L-1: The L-1 visa enables organizations to transfer employees from a foreign officer to a U.S.
office to work in an executive or managerial role (L-1A) for up to 7 years,
or a role which requires specialized or advanced knowledge (L-1B) for up to 5 years.
Employees must have worked abroad for a foreign parent, subsidiary, affiliate or
branch office for at least one year. Individual cases are filed with USCIS, but employers
with three or more foreign and domestic offices, a substantial workforce, or annual U.S. sales
of at least $25 million may request a blanket approval from USCIS, allowing employees to apply for
an L-1 visa directly with a consulate.
- O-1: Enables individuals who possess extraordinary ability in science, education, business, or athletics (O-1A)
or the arts, motion picture, or television industries (O-1B) enter to enter the U.S. for an initial period of
3 years, with 1 year of extensions as deemed necessary to accomplish the initial event or activity.
The O-1 requires an advisory opinion for a peer group or labor organization, if one exists. The O-1
requires an offer of employment, or in the case of sponsorship by an agent, an itinerary evidence of
events and activities for the requested period.
- TN: Enables citizens of Canada or Mexico to enter the U.S. for temporary employment in a
specific occupation. Citizens of Canada may apply directly at a port of entry and do not require a
visa stamp. Citizens of Mexico must obtain a visa stamp before entering the U.S.
Initial periods of stay are granted up to 3 years, and indefinite extensions are allowed.
The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for
professional advice. Before making any decision, consult with the appropriate professionals. Please refer our
Disclaimer for details.