United
states have big collection of
immigration visas. Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who
wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa,
either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant
visa for permanent residence. Non-immigrant visas, unlike
immigrant visas, allow a person to enter the U.S. for a
temporary period of time and are restricted to the activity
consistent with the visa.
B visa for visitors
The visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to
enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for
pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). A B-1 visa is available to
foreigners visiting the United States to conduct business. A B-2
visa is available for foreign persons visiting the United States
for pleasure. Citizens of certain countries are exempt for 90
days under the Visa Waiver Program.
E visa for traders/investors
E visas are issued pursuant to bilateral treaties of friendship,
commerce, and navigation between the United States and various
countries. The E-1 classification is authorized for a national
of a country with which the United States has a commercial
treaty, who is coming to the U.S. solely to engage in trade of a
substantial nature principally between the U.S. and the
applicant's country of nationality.
The E-2 classification is authorized for a national of a country
with which the United States has a commercial treaty, who is
coming to the United States solely to direct and develop the
operations of an enterprise in which he or she has invested, or
is actively involved in the process of investing a substantial
amount of capital.
F visa for students
The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant
visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United
States. The "F" visa is reserved for non immigrants wishing to
pursue academic studies and/or language training programs, and
the "M" visa is reserved for non immigrants wishing to pursue
nonacademic or vocational studies.
J visas for Exchange Program Participants
A J-1 visa is issued to applicants who have been accepted to
participate in exchange visitor programs designated by the
United States Information Agency ("USIA"). This may include
students, scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, specialists,
foreign medical graduates, international visitors, government
visitors, camp counselors, au pairs, and participants in summer
travel/work programs.
K visas for Fiances
Fiances wishing to visit or live with their respective partners
will need a K-1 visa that enables them to receive the proper
authorization to remain in the United States based on their
social status. K-1 visas are usually straightforward and simple
to obtain provided there is proof of the relationship.
L visas for Transferee Employees
Global multinational corporations are constantly transferring
their staff from abroad to their U.S. workplaces. The L category
allows the transfer of key employees to the U.S. from affiliated
companies abroad for temporary periods. To qualify, the
applicant must be working in a capacity as a manager, executive
(L-1A) or in a position that requires specialized knowledge
(L-1B).
H visas for Professional Employees
The H-1B visa is for workers in specialty occupations. Examples
of specialty occupations are professional positions in the
fields of Architecture, Computers, Engineering, Mathematics,
Physical sciences, Medicine, Education, Business, Accounting,
Law, and the Arts. Generally, the H-1B visa is available for
those workers who have a bachelor's degree in a technical field
who will be working in a technical position that requires an
undergraduate degree. Individuals who do not have an
undergraduate degree may utilize their experience (at least 12
years experience in the specialty field) to compensate for any
years unfinished in their undergraduate education.
TN visas for Canadians and Mexicans
The TN visas are also temporary work visas. The TN status is for
Canadians and Mexican persons engaged in activities at a
professional level. This category is similar to the H-1B except
there is no statutory limitation on stay such as exists for Hs
and Ls, and it generally covers a broader range of occupations.
The applicant must fit within a specific group of professional
occupations listed in NAFTA (e.g. lawyers, biologists,
accountants, interior designers). In almost all cases, a degree
or license is required.
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1994 ICU
Immigration
service center.
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