2016 (c) DYER HARRIS LLP - Focusing on immigration solutions for artists, scholars, investors and professionals.
KEY VISA CLASIFICATIONS
• E-2 TREATY INVESTOR VISA
The E-2 Visa is for a foreign national of a country that has a bilateral investment treaty with the U.S. and invests a minimum of $100,000 in a U.S. business.
• E-3 VISA (AUSTRALIA ONLY SEE H-1B)
• H-1B SPECIALTY OCCUPATION VISA
The H-1B visa is primarily for individuals with a 4 year college degree who are coming to work in the U.S. in a job that requires the use of a complex body of knowledge. The E-3 is a similar visa for Australians which is not subject to the numerical limits of H-1B.
• H-3 TRAINEE VISA
The H-3 Visa is for individuals who come to the U.S. to receive training which is unavailable in the person’s home country.
• I JOURNALIST VISA
The I visa is for foreign press, radio, film or other foreign media.
• J 1 CULTURAL EXCHANGE
VISITOR VISA
The J-1 is for individuals coming to the U.S. in specially sponsored cultural exchange, au pair or job training programs.
• L-1 INTRA-GROUP TRANSFERS
L-1 visas are used to transfer aliens within a multinational corporate group.
The alien must have worked abroad in the foreign affiliate for more than a year as an executive (L-1A) or a specialized knowledge employee (L-1B). The L-1A is a major vehicle for executives to come to the U.S.
• O-1/O-2 EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY
The O-1 is for aliens of extraordinary ability in the visual arts, performing arts, sciences and commerce to come to the U.S. temporarily. The O-2 category is for assistants who provide crucial services to the O-1 alien. Substantial documentation is required for O-1 and O-2 applications.
• P 3 VISA ENTERTAINERS
The P-3 is for culturally unique entertainment groups. This visa is particularly useful for foreign musical groups that seek to tour the U.S.
• R VISA RELIGIOUS WORKERS
The R visa is for bona fide religious workers of legitimate religious denominations.
• TN NAFTA VISA
The NAFTA visa is for Canadian and Mexican professionals in certain narrowly defined occupational areas. TN NAFTA visas are for a maximum of three years with unlimited renewals.
GREEN CARDS
• GREEN CARDS BASED ON EMPLOYMENT
Consult with us for procedures related to employment-based green card applications.
• GREEN CARDS BASED ON MARRIAGE TO A U.S. CITIZEN
Consult with us on procedures. In New York, processing times have been reduced to one year.