HOW TO OBTAIN A TEMPORARY VISA

This page explains how you can obtain a temporary visa to visit, study or work in the United States. It contains a number of articles and links explaining the various types of temporary visas. It explains the difference between a “visa” and a “status”. It provides you with the procedure for obtaining a visa abroad as well as explaining the process of obtaining an extension of stay and a change of status in the U.S. It links to the online visa appointment system for U.S. Consulates in Canada and Mexico.

Our attorneys specialize in obtaining visas and changes of status from visitors and students to E-1 treaty traders, E-2 treaty investors, H-1B professionals, J-1 trainees, L-1 intracompany managers and executives, O-1 persons of extraordinary ability, P-1 athletes and entertainers and R-1 religious workers.

This page explains the most common temporary or “non-immigrant” visa categories, in alphabetical order.

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How to Obtain a Temporary Visa is divided into the following subtopics:

• Success Stories
• General Information
• Categories of Temporary Visas
• Applying for a Temporary Visa in Canada or Mexico
• Humanitarian Parole

SUCCESS STORIES

• H-3 Trainee Visas and Special Education (March 2008)
• Winning an Appeal Before the AAO (May 2007)

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Visa FAQ (State Department)
• Attending a Non-Immigrant Visa Interview (State Department)
• A New Way to Apply For Your Visa: The DS-160 (State Department)
• Entering the United States – The CBP Inspection Process (CBP)
• How Do I Get An Extension of Stay in the U.S.? (USCIS)
• Who May Apply to Change to a New Nonimmigrant Status (USCIS)
• Policy Memo Regarding Extensions of Status for Cohabitating Partners of Nonimmigrants
• Fees and Reciprocity Tables (State Department)
• Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas (State Department)
• How Do I Apply for a Nonimmigrant Waiver? (CBP)
• Frequently Asked Questions for the Online DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (State Department)
• “Dual Intent” Doctrine
• How Do I Report a Change of Address to the USCIS? (USCIS)

CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY VISAS

• Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials (“A”) (State Department)
• Visitor Visas to the U.S. (“B-1/B-2″)
Domestic Partners Of Nonimmigrants (State Department)
Visitor Visas to the U.S. (State Department)
Visa Waiver Program (State Department)
Travel on the Visa Waiver Program – Information for New Member Countries (State Department)
Visa Waiver Program (CBP)
Visa Waiver Program Report (Congressional Research Service)
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
ESTA Authorization Required for All Visa Waiver Program Travelers
Transit Visas (“C”) (State Department)
Crewmen (“D-1″)
Treaty Traders (“E-1″)
Treaty Investors (“E-2″)
Australian Professionals (E-3) (State Department)
Students (“F-1″)
Employees of Designated International Agencies and NATO (“G” and “NATO”) (State Department)
Temporary Professional Workers (“H-1B”)
General Information Regarding H-1B Visas
Temporary Agricultural Workers (“H-2A”)
H-2A Regulation – U.S. Department of Labor (2-12-10)
Labor Department Fact Sheet on H-2A Regulation
Temporary Workers H-2B Status
Temporary Skilled and Unskilled Workers (“H-2B”)
Trainees (“H-3″)
Foreign Journalists (“I”)
Exchange Visitors (“J-1″) and Waivers
Exchange Visitors (State Department)
Fiancees of U.S. Citizens (“K-1″)
K-3/K-4 Nonimmigrant Visas (USCIS)
Intracompany Transferees (“L-1″)
Vocational Students (“M-1″)
Persons of Extraordinary Ability (“O”)
Athletes and Entertainers (“P”)
International Cultural Exchange Visitors (“Q”)
Religious Workers (“R”)
Witnesses and Informants (“S”)
USCIS Regulation: Adjustment of Status to Lawful Permanent Resident for Aliens in T or U Nonimmigrant Status (December 12, 2008)
Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA (“TN”)
3-year TN Rule (10-14-08)
Applying for a TN Visa at the U.S. Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico
Applying for a TN Visa at the U.S. Consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico
Visas for Crime Victims (“U”)

APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY VISA
IN CANADA OR MEXICO

• Online Visa Appointment Reservation System (Canada)
• Visa Information Services (Mexico)

HUMANITARIAN PAROLE

• Humanitarian Parole (USCIS)
• Fact Sheet: Humanitarian Parole (USCIS)
• Humanitarian Parole Q&A (USCIS)
• Cuban Haitian Entrant Program (CHEP)