Employment Based Nonimmigrant Visas

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The non-immigrant visa classification covers a broad range of visas used to enter the United States for work, pleasure or study. You can apply for employment visa USA through an employment Immigration Attorney. Some visas are considered ‘dual status’; you may attempt to obtain permanent residency (a green card) while under that classification. Most non-immigrant visas, however, require you establish non-immigrant intent. This means you should demonstrate that you have a permanent residence in your home country that you have no intention of abandoning. The duration of time you may spend in the U.S. can range from a few days to several years, depending on the visa. In most situations, your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany you on a derivative visa.

Business Visa

Three Kinds of Business Visa:

  • B-1 Visa Temporary Business Visitor.
  • WB Visa Temporary Business Visitor under Business Waiver Program.
  • GB Visa Temporary Visitor to Guam.
  • To obtain this visa there should be a legitimate commercial or professional activity
  • Not local employment or labor for hire
  • It can be to consult with business associates/engage in commercial transactions not involving gainful employment/participate in scientific, educational, professional, religious or business conventions/short term training/negotiate contract/settle estate/transiting/professional athletes (no salary/only tournament money)/ commercial truck drivers engaged only in international trade/ attending an executive seminar etc. to name a few.
  • Should have sufficient funds for the expenses.
  • Clear intent to continue foreign residence
  • Visit for limited period of time.
  • To further international commerce or business.
  • Service in U.S.A. must be incidental to foreign trade commerce.
  • Profit must go to employee and profit must accrue abroad.
  • Payment to B1 should be abroad.
  • Service performed not inherently part of the U.S. labor market.
  • While in USA, may be eligible to change to B-1 status from another valid non immigrant visa.
  • Initial period of stay is six months.
  • Maximum extension on any one trip is generally one year.
  • No dependent visa allowed.

Temporary Business Visitor under Business Waiver Program

  • Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for nationals from 35 countries allows for stays of 90 days or less for business or pleasure without a visa.
  • The visitors are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel.
  • Visitors screened at port of entry and enrolled in US-VISIT program.
  • Starting November 2009, an alien may be admitted into Guam if entering and staying solely in Guam for not more than 15 days.
  • Has round trip non refundable/non transferable ticket with departure date not exceeding 15 days from date of admission to Guam.
  • Possesses a completed and signed Guam Visa Waiver Information Form
  • Waives any right to review/appeal regarding admissibility into Guam
  • Waives any right to contest (except on basis of asylum) anyaction for deportation.

H-2B Visa

H-1B Employers And Increasing Site Inspections

The USCIS’s Office of Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) recently reviewed the H-1B program. FDNS may conduct unannounced physical site inspections of residences and places of employment and hold interviews. The visits may occur at the principal place of business and/or at the H-1B non immigrant work location as indicated on the 1-29 petition. USCIS may use a variety of ways to verify namely- review public records and information by written correspondence, Internet, facsimile or other electronic transmission, or telephone. Although most H-1B site visits have occurred post adjudication, a USCIS adjudications officer may refer an H1-B petition to the FDNS for a site visit prior to the completion of an adjudication. This may be especially true with H1-B extensions with the same H-1B employer. The USCIS Vermont Service Center has transferred approximately 20,000 cases to FDNS as part of the H-1B assessment program USCIS California Service Center has also forwarded a sizable number of cases for review. Hence the visits by the FDNS officers may increase.

Employers should request the name, title and contact information for the site investigator, as there are multiple agencies that may audit H-1B program.

The employer may request the presence of the attorney. If the attorney is not immediately available the site inspection must be terminated.

The employers should not speak with the government agents or contractors without a witness.

Employers should retain complete records of public access file. It should be reviewed prior to meeting with the FDNS officer.

If the beneficiary has been placed at a client site not controlled by the employer, the employer should notify the end user about the current H-1B assessment program and the possibility of a site visit.

The end user should be made aware of the identity of the H-1B employer and review the terms of the agreement.

Generally the employer/or the end user should comply with the reasonable requests of the FDNS officer.However, if the FDNS officer requests to access secure areas, an employer may suggest less sensitive areas to conduct interviews with the beneficiary.The employer should explain if it has strict policies against tours and photographs of the sensitive areas.

The employer should not guess about any information and should indicate to the FDNS officer that he will follow up to provide accurate information.

The record should be kept of any documentation provided to the FDNS officer during the site visit.

Compliance Issues for H-1B Employers in a Bad Economy

Disclaimer: This is just for education and information and is not meant to be any form of legal advise. Please call up your Immigration attorney or Ms. Sunita Kapoor for more information.

With the Downturn of IT due to the economy turmoil and critical H-1B investigations and immigration raids around the country, it is suggested that it is worth spending some of the slow time in self auditing your files for compliance and reviewing the current workforce to adapt to the needs.

If you are facing reduction in work and the bench period is being extended, you must take appropriate measures. If the change in business is temporary and you expect your business to pick up in few months, it is not good to lay off your employees. One of the options to retain your good employees without hurting their immigration status and also to reduce your burden of payroll is to amend the previously approved H-1B for part time or flexible hours H-1B. This creates benefits for both employer and the employee. The employee is able to maintain his status and able to look for another part or full time job if needed. Or he uses his time to wind up his affairs in U.S. such as dependents’ education, job, selling cars or other property. On the other hand the employer is able to retain his workforce until the economy improves.

Must pay your H-1B workers for Bench time.
Must have approved LCA for each location the H-1B worker is placed at and must satisfy the posting requirements.
Must have written documentation that your H-1B worker's actual employment location (Client site) did not displace U.S. workers (if had layoffs), or had strike or lockout.
Must pay H-1B employee for return transportation to his country if his employment is terminated.
Must amend H-1B petition if there are material changes in employment terms and conditions such as decrease in hours, salary and benefits, change in job duties or employment location.
Must notify USCIS to revoke the petition if H-1B employment is terminated/laid off.

Feel free to contact Ms. Sunita Kapoor (website) to consult on any of the issues regarding compliance or amendment of H-1Bs.

Student Visa

Hundreds of thousands of people come to the United States from around the world to study and improve their skills. Students interested in studying in the United States must be admitted to a U.S. school or university before starting the visa process. However, students should also remember that acceptance by a U.S. educational institution does not guarantee issuance of a student visa.

There are three types of student visas. For visa application instructions, forms, and more, select below.

– Academic Studies (F visa): For people who have been accepted into a program to study or conduct research at an accredited U.S. college or university.
– Non-Academic or Vocational Studies (M Visa) : For people who have been accepted into a program to study or train at a non-academic institution in the U.S.
– Academic Studies as an Exchange Visitor (J Visas) : For people who have been accepted into a program through a designated sponsoring organization to participate in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The “J” visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs.

Information and Tools for Employers

This section provides information and tools that can be very useful for employers of foreign workers.

More topics coming soon

– Compliance issues in case of company spin off

Some Important Faqs Related To Employment Visa USA

An employment visa in the USA is a type of visa that allows foreign nationals to legally work in the United States. There are several different types of employment visas available depending on the nature of the work and the qualifications of the employee. Examples include H-1B visas for specialty workers, L-1 visas for intra-company transferees, and E visas for investors and traders.

Eligibility for a US work visa depends on the type of visa and the individual's qualifications and circumstances. Generally, individuals who have a job offer from a US employer, possess specialized skills or education, or have exceptional abilities may be eligible for a work visa. It is recommended to consult with a qualified immigration attorney for specific information and guidance on obtaining a US work visa.

To obtain an employment visa in the United States, you must first have a job offer from a U.S. employer who is willing to sponsor you. The employer will then need to file a petition on your behalf with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the petition is approved, you can then apply for a visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. The type of visa you will apply for depends on the nature of the job and your qualifications. It's important to note that the process can be complex and time-consuming, so it's recommended to consult with an immigration attorney for guidance.

The processing time for a US employment visa varies depending on the type of visa and other factors. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months or even longer. It's best to check with the US embassy or consulate in your country for specific information on processing times.

The length of time you can stay in America with a work visa varies depending on the type of visa you have. Some visas allow you to stay for a few months, while others may allow you to stay for several years. It's best to consult with an immigration lawyer or check the specific details of your visa to determine how long you can stay.