The E visa is for investors (E-2), traders (E-1), and qualified employees of non-US-owned companies. An E-1 Trader Visa or E-2 Investor Visa applicant must be a national of a country that has a commercial treaty with the US establishing E visa eligibility. An E visa applicant must also be a principal investor or key employee with the qualifying company. Alternatively, a firm majority-owned by nationals of an E treaty country may bring qualified executives, managers or essential employees with the same nationality as the E company to work in the US. more »

The E-3 Visa is a temporary visa for Australian professionals who wish to work in the US. One of the E-3’s major advantages is the ability to obtain an E-3 visa directly from a US consulate without first obtaining an approval from USCIS. This can make the E-3 a much quicker, less expensive option for qualified Australians. A disadvantage is that an E-3 holder must have the intent to leave the US at the conclusion of their authorized stay in the US. more »

The H1B Visa classification is available for full or part-time employment in the US. An employer seeking to employ a foreign worker on an H1B Visa must demonstrate that the offered position qualifies as a “specialty occupation,” and that the H1B worker has the qualifications necessary to establish eligibility. more »

The I Media Visa is a temporary visa for representatives of the information media. This includes members of the press, radio, film or print media industries. It is usually valid for one year. The I Media Visa is renewable indefinitely. Working media cannot enter the US on a B Visitor Visa or on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). They must first obtain an I Visa from a US Consulate if they will be working in the US. more »

The L-1 Visa is for Executives or Managers (L-1A), or individuals with Specialized Knowledge (L-1B), who transfer to a US company from a related company overseas. L-1 candidates must establish one year or more of continuous full-time employment for a qualifying company outside of the US. more »

The O-1 Visa is for individuals who can show Extraordinary Ability in their field of expertise. Three standards exist for the O-1, depending on the area of endeavor. The most difficult is “extraordinary ability” for Sciences, Education, Business or Athletics. “Extraordinary Achievement” in Film or Television has an intermediate degree of difficulty. The least challenging O-1 visa standard is “Distinction” in the Arts. more »

The P Visa may be a viable option for some artists, entertainers or athletes who are not eligible for the O-1 Visa. Generally, the P Visa requires a showing of international distinction unless the P Visa holder’s activities are “culturally unique.” more »

The Physician H1B Visa allows a Physician H1B Visa holder to work temporarily at a sponsoring US employer. The H1B Visa may be preferable to the J-1 Visa because it carries no 2 year J-1 Home Residence Requirement (HRR). Generally, the HRR requires certain J-1 holders to return to their home country for 2 years after their J-1 program before returning to the US. The J-1 Home Residence Requirement attaches to J-1 Visa Physicians who provide direct patient care, and it can be very difficult to waive. more »

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) authorizes the TN USMCA classification for Canadian and Mexican professionals. Eligible workers may enter the US in this category to perform certain professional services in the US. In addition, the classification allows qualified individuals to enter the US temporarily to perform professional services listed in the USMCA.

more »

The US-Singapore and US-Chile Free Trade Agreements, effective January 1, 2004, created a new class of temporary work visa for Singaporean and Chilean citizens, the H1B1 Visa. The H1B1 requires a US job offer in a “specialty occupation.” Qualified beneficiaries may obtain the H1B1 directly from a US consulate in Singapore or Chile without first making an application to USCIS. more »