Non-immigrant Visas

The U.S. provides temporary visas to persons who, for a variety of reasons, do not intend to make the U.S. their permanent home. Such persons include students, trainees, persons who are on a temporary assignment for an employer in the U.S. professionals, labor workers, entrepreneurs, investors, and other persons who wish to work or remain in the U.S. for a limited period of time.

Foreign nationals who are residing in the U.S. for a temporary period of time are referred to as non-immigrants. Unlike immigrant visas, most non-immigrant visas are not limited to a numerical restriction – that is, with most non-immigrant visas there is no cap on the number of visas that will be awarded each year.

Also, certain non-immigrant visas allow foreign nationals to work in the U.S. while their green card application is pending.

Employment Visas for Professionals

H-1B – For persons in a specialty occupation (eg. professionals)
TN – For professionals who are citizens of Canada or Mexico
E-3 – For Australian professionals
J-1 – For those participating in an internship, training program, or exchange program in the U.S.
O-1 – For persons with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, athletics, or education.

Employment Visas for Managers, Investors and Entrepreneurs

L-1 – For Intracompany transferees
E-1 – For managers/executives of companies that conduct most of their business with the U.S.
E-2 – For managers/executives of companies that invest a substantial amount of capital in the U.S.

Employment Visas for Members of the Media, Actors/Actresses, and Athletes

I-1 – For representatives of the foreign media
P-1 – For athletes and entertainers
O-1 – For persons with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, athletics, or education