NON-IMMIGRANT CATEGORIES

Unlike some countries, the United States government does not issue work visas for casual employment. In general, work visas are based on a specific offer of employment from a U.S. employer.

The most common categories of nonimmigrant work visas are listed below:

• Temporary Work Visa (H) - This visa category is for prearranged professional or highly skilled employment for a temporary period, or to fill a temporary position for which there is a shortage of U.S. workers, or receive training from an employer. The employment or training must be approved in advance by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States on the basis of an application filed by the prospective employer. Read more...

• Intra-company Transferee Visa (L-1) - The intracompany transferee classification allows a multinational business having offices in several countries to transfer managerial and executive personnel to the United States. The employer must first receive an approval from USCIS in the United States for the transfer of the employee before a visa application can be submitted. Read more...

• Treaty Trader/Investor Visas (E -1 and E-2) - required by a national of a country with which the United States maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation who wishes to go to the United States: to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, principally between the United States and the treaty country; or to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the national has invested; or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital, may qualify for a nonimmigrant Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor visa. Read more...