Annandale Employment Visa Attorneys

A Visas

A visas enable foreign diplomats, officials, government employees, their staff, and their families to travel to and conduct official business in the United States. Work facilitated by A visas must be performed on behalf of the visa recipient’s home country. 

The A-1 visa is specifically for dignitaries and government representatives, including delegates, ambassadors, consuls, heads of state, and other diplomatic officials. Immediate relatives of A-1 recipients are also eligible to travel to the U.S. on this visa.

The A-2 visa applies to all other types of foreign government employees who intend to conduct business on behalf of their home country in the United States. This typically includes people who are employed at embassies, consulates, or military bases. The A-3 visa covers personal employees of A-1 and A-2 visa recipients. 

An A visa can generally only be obtained through the mutual cooperation of the United States and the applicant’s home country. These visas last for up to three years and can sometimes be renewed.

TN Visas

TN visas can be issued to individuals who currently live in Mexico or Canada and plan to move to the U.S. to perform specific services. Eligible applicants must work in professions or possess special skills that meet the professional requirements listed on Schedule 2 of NAFTA. These visas are valid for a maximum of three years but can be extended for additional three-year increments. TN visas may also be used to extend H-1 and L visas.

E-2 Visas

The E-2 visa allows treaty investors can qualify to temporarily live and work in the United States to support a business they have invested in. To be eligible for this visa, an applicant’s home country must maintain a trade treaty with the United States. An applicant must then make a qualifying investment in a U.S.-based enterprise and intend to come to the country to support that investment. 

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 can accompany E-2 visa recipients to the United States. Spouses will also generally qualify for work authorizations while in the country on this visa.

The E-2 visa is in many ways similar to the EB-5 visa but is not a green card and therefore does not confer lawful permanent residency. However, the E-2 visa can facilitate indefinite stays in the U.S., as the visa can be renewed an unlimited number of times so long as certain qualifications are met. Consequently, this visa can be a great choice for people who wish to semi-permanently live in the country but do not wish to become lawful permanent residents or citizens. 

H Visas

Four types of H visas are potentially available to foreign nationals. All employment visa requests must be filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and each visa type has its own application and distinct eligibility requirements. 

The H-1B visa covers temporary workers pursuing what is classified as “specialty occupations.” People who qualify for these visas typically have higher levels of education and specialized training. Only 65,000 H-1B visas are issued each year, and the process for obtaining one can be extremely competitive.

H-2A and H-2B visas apply to workers who take seasonal, temporary jobs in various industries, including agriculture. The H-2A visa is specifically intended for agricultural workers, while the H-2B visa covers all other seasonal and temporary positions.

People pursuing special training in the U.S. – excluding graduate medical education or training – can apply for the H-3 visa. This type of visa must be used to facilitate education or training that is not available in the applicant’s home country.

The H-4 visa can be used by spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of other H visa recipients, particularly those who obtain H-1B visas. H-4 visa recipients face certain work restrictions while present in the United States, but they can convert their status to other types of visas – including those that do allow employment authorizations – if they qualify for those benefits later on in their stay.