NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
B-1/B-2 Visitor's Visas
Available for visits to the U.S. for business or
pleasure. B-1 business visitor visas are for a short
duration and must not involve local employment.
Nationals of certain countries may be eligible to visit
the U.S. for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
E-1/E-2
Treaty Trader and Investor Visas
Investors and traders and their employees may
receive visas to carry on their businesses in the U.S.
if their home country has a commercial treaty with the
U.S. conferring visa eligibility.
H-1B
Specialty Occupation (Professional) Visas
Professional workers with at least a bachelor's
degree (or its equivalent in work experience) may be
eligible for a non-immigrant visa if their employers can
demonstrate that they are to be paid at least the
prevailing wage for the position.
K-1
Fianceé Visas
A fianceé of a U.S. citizen is eligible for a
non-immigrant visa conditioned on the conclusion of the
marriage within 90 days of entry into the U.S.
K-3
Spouse Visas
A spouse of a U.S. citizen is eligible to apply for a
non-immigrant visa in order to enter the U.S. during the
pendency of a permanent residence petition.
L-1
Intracompany Transfer Visas
L-1 visas are available to executives, managers and
specialized knowledge employees transferring to their
employer's U.S. affiliate. Executives and managers
holding L-1 visas may be eligible for permanent
residency without the need for a labor certification.
R-1
Religious Worker Visas
Religious workers may be eligible for an R-1 visa.
TN
Status Under the North American Free Trade
Agreement
A special category has been set up for nationals of
Canada and Mexico under the provisions of the North
American Free Trade Agreement.
IMMIGRANT VISAS / GREEN CARDS
Family
Sponsored Immigration
U.S. citizens may petition for permanent resident
status for spouses, parents, children and siblings.
Permanent residents may also petition for spouses and
children.
B-3
Skilled Workers and Professionals
Visa holders in this category normally must have a
job offer and the potential employer must complete the
labor certification process.
EB-4
Special Immigrant Visas for Religious Workers
Ministers of religion are eligible for permanent
residency.
EB-5
Investor/Employment Creation Visas
Under the 1990 Immigration Act, Congress has set
aside up to 10,000 visas per year for foreign investors
in new commercial enterprises who create employment for
at least 10 individuals. There are two groups of
investors under the program - those who invest at least
$500,000 in "targeted employment areas" (rural
areas or areas experiencing high unemployment of at
least 150% of the national average rate) and those who
invest $1,000,000 anywhere else. No fewer than 3,000 of
the annual allotment of visas must go to targeted
employment areas.
