Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Workers
If you are interested in coming to the United States lawfully as a nonimmigrant to work temporarily in the United States, your prospective employer must generally file a nonimmigrant petition on your behalf with USCIS.
Spouses and Children Seeking Dependent Nonimmigrant Classification
Spouses and children who qualify for dependant nonimmigrant classification of a temporary worker and who are outside of the United States should apply directly at a U.S. consulate for a visa.
Spouses and children requesting a change of status or extension of stay in a dependent nonimmigrant classification must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
There are many visas that a person can apply for to come to the United States to live and work. The main nonimmigrant temporary worker classifications are listed below:
H1B Specialty Occupation
The H-1B Speciality Occupation visa is for people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
H1B1Free Trade Agreement Visa for Singapore and Chile
The H-1B1 visa (and associated H-1B1 status) is a variant of the H-1B visa in the United States for nationals of Singapore and Chile. The version for Singapore is called the H-1B1-Singapore and the version for Chile is called the H-1B1-Chile. These categories were introduced with the Singapore–United States Free Trade Agreement and Chile–United States Free Trade Agreement respectively, both of which were ratified in 2003 by the 108th United States Congress (and signed into law by George W. Bush, the President of the United States at the time) and became active on January 1, 2004.
L-1A Manager or Executive Visa
The L-1 visa is for the temporary transfer of foreign worker in the managerial, executive or specialized knowledge category to the U.S. to continue employment with an office of the same employer, its parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
L-1B Specialist Visa
The L1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to foreign employees with specialized knowledge being transferred to their companys US offices.
O1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
The O1 visa is a non-resident US visa for people who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field, whether that be the arts, sport, business, education, or the sciences.
P-1B Member of Internationally Recognized Group
The P-1B classification applies to you if you are coming to the United States temporarily to perform as a member of an entertainment group that has been recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.
P-2 Individual Performer or Part of a Group Entering to Perform Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program
The P-2 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country.
P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
The P-3 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
Q Cultural Exchange Visa
The Q nonimmigrant visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by USCIS. For more information on Exchange Visitors, see the Department of State: Exchange Visitor (J) Visas page.
Immigration law can be convoluted and complex. At the Law Offices of Marcus Yi, we are devoted to guiding you through US immigration law so contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Spouses and Children Seeking Dependent Nonimmigrant Classification
Spouses and children who qualify for dependant nonimmigrant classification of a temporary worker and who are outside of the United States should apply directly at a U.S. consulate for a visa.
Spouses and children requesting a change of status or extension of stay in a dependent nonimmigrant classification must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status.
There are many visas that a person can apply for to come to the United States to live and work. The main nonimmigrant temporary worker classifications are listed below:
H1B Specialty Occupation
The H-1B Speciality Occupation visa is for people who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability.
H1B1Free Trade Agreement Visa for Singapore and Chile
The H-1B1 visa (and associated H-1B1 status) is a variant of the H-1B visa in the United States for nationals of Singapore and Chile. The version for Singapore is called the H-1B1-Singapore and the version for Chile is called the H-1B1-Chile. These categories were introduced with the Singapore–United States Free Trade Agreement and Chile–United States Free Trade Agreement respectively, both of which were ratified in 2003 by the 108th United States Congress (and signed into law by George W. Bush, the President of the United States at the time) and became active on January 1, 2004.
L-1A Manager or Executive Visa
The L-1 visa is for the temporary transfer of foreign worker in the managerial, executive or specialized knowledge category to the U.S. to continue employment with an office of the same employer, its parent, branch, subsidiary or affiliate.
L-1B Specialist Visa
The L1B visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued to foreign employees with specialized knowledge being transferred to their companys US offices.
O1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
The O1 visa is a non-resident US visa for people who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in their field, whether that be the arts, sport, business, education, or the sciences.
P-1B Member of Internationally Recognized Group
The P-1B classification applies to you if you are coming to the United States temporarily to perform as a member of an entertainment group that has been recognized internationally as outstanding in the discipline for a sustained and substantial period of time.
P-2 Individual Performer or Part of a Group Entering to Perform Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program
The P-2 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform as an artist or entertainer, individually or as part of a group, who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program between an organization in the United States and an organization in another country.
P-3 Artist or Entertainer Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
The P-3 classification applies to you if you are coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique.
Q Cultural Exchange Visa
The Q nonimmigrant visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by USCIS. For more information on Exchange Visitors, see the Department of State: Exchange Visitor (J) Visas page.
Immigration law can be convoluted and complex. At the Law Offices of Marcus Yi, we are devoted to guiding you through US immigration law so contact us today to schedule a consultation.