Temporary Visas
How can you obtain a temporary visa to visit, study or work in the United States?
If you want to travel to the U.S., chances are that you do not need to hire an immigration attorney in order to do so. However, if you want to work in the U.S., scheduling a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney is highly recommended.
Our law firm specializes in obtaining work visas and changes of status for professionals and investors. We have successfully obtained temporary visas for thousands of 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.
We represent over 100 employers and thousands of computer professionals, physicians, accountants, engineers, scientists, health care professionals including registered nurses across the U.S.
This page contains a number of articles and links explaining the various types of temporary visas. It explains the difference between a “visa” and a “status”. We explain the procedure for obtaining a visa abroad as well as the process of applying for an extension of stay or a change of status in the U.S. We link to the online visa appointment system for U.S. Consulates in Canada and Mexico.
We explain the most common temporary or “non-immigrant” visa categories, in alphabetical order from “A” to “U”.
“I endorse this lawyer’s work. Carl is a leader in the field of immigration law who serves as a mentor and role model to other immigration lawyers around the United States. I consider his monthly newsletter to be required reading. His firm is capable of handling all types of U.S. immigration cases, and he treats his clients with respect, warmth and humility.” (More attorney endorsements…)
- Scott Pollock, Immigration Attorney, Chicago, IL
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
- I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
SUCCESS STORIES
- Proving Specialized Knowledge for an L-1B (May 2012)
- Getting an H-1B Approved for a Remote Worker (March 2012)
- Avoiding the H-1B Cap with a Little Help from the USCIS (August 2009)
- 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)
- Nonimmigrant Temporary Admissions Statistics for 2011 (DHS)
- Nonimmigrant Admissions to the US for 2011 (DHS)
CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY VISAS
- Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials (“A”) (State Department)
- Visitor Visas to the U.S. (“B-1/B-2″)
- 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)
- Professional Workers (“H-1B”)
- Agricultural Workers (“H-2A”) (Labor Department)
- Skilled and Unskilled Workers (“H-2B”)
- Trainees (“H-3″)
- Foreign Journalists (“I”)
- Exchange Visitors (“J-1″) and Waivers
- Fiances of U.S. Citizens (“K-1″)
- Spouses and Dependents of US Citizens (“K-3/K-4″) (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”)
- Victims of Trafficking (“T”) (USCIS)
- Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA (“TN”)
- Visas for Crime Victims (“U”) (ILRC)
APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY VISA
IN CANADA OR MEXICO
HUMANITARIAN PAROLE
- Humanitarian Parole (USCIS)
- Fact Sheet: Humanitarian Parole (USCIS)
- Humanitarian Parole Q&A (USCIS)
- Cuban Haitian Entrant Program (CHEP)
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record
- CBP I-94 Demonstration Video
- CBP to Rollout New Arrival/Departure Record Process for Foreign Visitors (4-2-13)
- CBP I-94 Automation Fact Sheet (March 2013)
- Travel Update: Form I-94 Information for Foreign Visitors (9-17-12)