Examining the Various Types of United States Work Visas Available
Every single year there are millions of citizens from foreign countries that come to the United States to find work. When they come to this country, they arrive here with either an immigrant or a non-immigrant visa. Work visas are quite common across the country, and as a foreign citizen, it’s important to understand the different options available to you. Our team of attorney Jacksonville professionals understands the various types of U.S. work visas and which would make the most sense for your individual situation.
H-1B Specialty Work Visa
One of the first types of work visas available is an H-1B visa. These visas are distributed to citizens of foreign countries who are coming to the country with a specialized skill. Our legal experts can help you determine if this is the right visa for you. Any position that requires a minimum of a U.S. earned bachelor's degree or the foreign equivalent may be eligible for an H-1B visa. The H-1B visa is something that an employer can use to help bring you to this country as a temporary worker. There are only a specified number of these visas issued annually. The duration of stay on an H-1B visa is three years and is extendable to six years.
NAFTA Work Visa
If you are a citizen of either Mexico or Canada and you want to come to the United States to work, this visa may pose a unique opportunity for you. It is similar to the H1-B visa in that it’s for qualified professionals with unique, higher education skill sets. Under the North American Free Trade Act Professional non-immigrant status, you can come to work as long as you have an offer from an employer to do so.
R-1 Religious Work Visa
When you’re a foreign citizen and want to come to the United States to work in a religious occupation such as a priest or minister, this is a great option to consider. This specific work visa is classified as temporary. To qualify, you must be employed by a non-profit religious organization within the United States.
L-1 Work Visa
The L-1 work visa is known as the “intra-company transfer” work visa. When you’re an employee of an international company, you could encounter opportunities where you’re offered a job that requires you to move to the United States. That company may have a branch in the U.S. where they want you to come work. When you are in a managerial position in one of these companies or have unique skills for the business, you can use this visa to come from the foreign country here to work.
O-1 Extraordinary Work Visa
The O-1 visa is for foreign citizens who have an ability that’s considered “extraordinary.” As the name entails, you must have a talent that’s unique enough for you to qualify. The talent can be in the areas of education, business, athletics, entertainment, science, etc. You must have received recognition at the national and international level for your unique traits to be considered extraordinary so you can apply. Our attorney Jacksonville professionals fully understand the various types of work visas inside and out. We look forward to exploring your unique situation and help you determine which work visa will afford you the best chance at success while working in the United States.