What are the Different Types of Employment Visas in the U.S.?

Of all the different ways foreign nationals enter the United States, employment-based immigration is one of the most common. The U.S. has the largest economy in the world and this is sustained largely by immigrants. For foreign nationals who wish to work in the U.S., there are a number of options. Below, our Atlanta employment based immigration lawyer outlines some of the most common.

Temporary Non-Immigrant Visas 

Temporary non-immigrant visas are for individuals who wish to work in the U.S. for a specific period of time. In most cases, employers in the country petition a foreign worker through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the employee must apply for a visa before entering the country. There are many different types of temporary non-immigrant visas, including:

• H visas: H-1B visas are for workers in skilled specialty occupations, H-2 visas are for temporary agricultural workers, and H-3 visas are for individuals receiving training that is unavailable in their home country.
• I visas: I-visas are available to eligible members of the foreign press including film crews, reporters, and similar occupations that represent foreign media such as film, print, and radio.
• L visas: L visas are for executives and managers who work for a company in a foreign country and wish to transfer to the U.S. Typically, these individuals must hold an executive or managerial position.
• O visas: O visas are available for individuals with exceptional and extraordinary achievements or abilities.
• P visas: P visas are usually event-based and they are for individuals who excel in athletic, performance, or artistic endeavors.

Permanent Worker Visas

Individuals with appropriate job skills can apply for the approximately 140,000 employment-based green cards that are available every year. First, they must obtain an employment-based visa, which may include:

• First preference EB-1: These visas are available for workers with extraordinary ability, such as athletes, scientists, academics, researchers, business professionals, and those in the arts.
• Second preference EB-2: EB-2 visas are for individuals who hold an advanced degree or foreign equivalent, or those who have at least ten years of experience in a certain field.
• Third preference EB-3: These visas are available for individuals who have earned a bachelor’s degree or a foreign equivalent, and skilled and unskilled workers who have a permanent offer of employment from an employer within the U.S.
• Fourth preference EB-4: EB-4 visas are available to retired employees of international organizations, certain religious workers, and others in specialty occupations.
• Fifth preference EB-5: These visas are part of the Immigrant Investor Program and are available to people who make large investments in a new US-based business.

Our Employment Based Immigration Lawyer in Atlanta Can Explain Your Options Further

There are many different types of employment-based visas in the U.S. and the above are just a few of the most common. They also all have their own eligibility requirements and processes to follow. Our Atlanta employment based immigration lawyer can explain what these are and help you determine which one is right for you. For a consultation to discuss your needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. today at 404-523-3611. Serving clients in Atlanta, Moultrie, and Dalton, GA and Chattanooga, TN.

Source:

uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states