| - Types of Visas - |
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For information specific to each visa type, click on the links below. |
Work Visas
Visa Type | Description |
H1A | Registered nurses for temporary employment |
H1B | Persons in specialty occupations that require a college or advanced degree; artists, entertainers, athletes and fashion models of distinguished merit and ability (may include persons assisting in their performances) |
H2A | Temporary or seasonal agricultural workers |
H2B | Persons filling temporary jobs that cannot be filled by US citizens or residents |
H3 | Professional job trainees in an American company or in the US office of a foreign company |
I | Representatives of foreign information media, representatives of a foreign tourist bureau, or film crew members holding professional journalism credentials and intending to work on news or non-commercial documentaries |
L | Managers or executives of multinational corporations, transferred to the company's US office, that have a minimum of one years experience with the company |
O | Persons of sustained national or international acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, coming to the US to work or perform in their field of achievement |
P | Entertainers and athletes coming for specific competitions or performances, or who are participating in a reciprocal exchange program between the US and their country. This also includes those performing in culturally unique programs |
Q | Participants in an international cultural exchange program for the purpose of explaining or sharing their country's culture |
What Do I Need to Qualify for a Work Visa?
Each of the work visa categories above has different requirements; however, all of the categories require a valid job offer from an employer based in the United States. For more information regarding different work visas, your prospective employer in the United States should contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
What Forms and Procedures Are Required?
Before you can apply for a visa, your employer in the US must first file Form I-129 (Petition for Non-Immigrant Worker) with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Once approved, the employer is sent Form I-797, as no work visa can be issued without this approved petition form. When you apply for your work visa, you must present the ORIGINAL Form I-797 to the consular officer, in addition to the documents required of every visa applicant (DS-156, DS-157, photos, passport, etc.). If your I-797 form was approved more than two months ago, please submit a current letter from your employer confirming your continued employment. The approval of a petition does not guarantee visa issuance to an applicant found ineligible under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Can I Bring My Family?
Spouses and children (under 21 years old) of H, L, O and P (not Q) visa holders are eligible to accompany the principal applicant as long as he/she demonstrates the means to support his/her family while in the US. Couples must be legally married to qualify for such visas.
When the spouse of a work visa holder does not apply for his/her visa at the same time as the principal applicant, he/she will need to submit the original I-197 form and proof of marriage in addition to the basic documents required for all visas (DS-156, DS-157, photos, passport, etc.).
There is no information on finding work in the US available at the Visa Section. |