TEMPORARY VISAS

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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 detailing 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.

The page is divided into the following subtopics:(1) Chat Transcripts; (2) General Information; (3) Categories of Temporary Visas; (4) Applying for a Temporary Visa in Canada or Mexico; (5 ) Revalidation and Other Issues Regarding Temporary Visas; and (6) INS Regulations Restricting Visitors and Students.

Temporary Visas to Visit, Study or Work in the U.S. (Audio - 2:53.9 minutes)

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CHAT TRANSCRIPTS: TEMPORARY VISAS

GENERAL INFORMATION

DOS Cable Instructs Posts on Using PIMS (H,L,O,P and Q visas)
How Do I Get An Extension of Stay in the U.S.?
How Do I Get Permission To Change To a New Temporary Status?

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CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY VISAS

Visitors for Business or Pleasure ("B-1/B-2") - (USCIS)

Visitor Visas to the U.S. (State Department)

Visa Waiver Program (State Department)

DHS Signs VISA Waiver Program Agreement with South Korea (4-18-08)

DHS Signs VISA Waiver Program Agreements with Estonia and Latvia (3-12-08)

DHS Signs Visa Waiver Program Agreements with Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania (3-17-08)

Duration of Mexican Border Crossing Cards Extended to 30 Days
Crewmen ("D-1")
Treaty Traders ("E-1")
Treaty Investors ("E-2")

FAQ - Law Re: Employment For Spouses Of Persons In E/L Status

INS Memorandum Re: E/L Law (February 22, 2002)
Australian Professionals ("E-3") (U.S. Embassy, Canberra, Australia)

E-3 Regulations (State Department) - September 2, 2005

USCIS Guidance on E-3 classification - January 6, 2006
Students ("F-1")
Temporary Professional Workers ("H-1B")
Temporary Agricultural Workers ("H-2A")

DHS Proposes Changes to Improve H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program - February 6, 2008
Temporary Skilled and Unskilled Workers ("H-2B")
Trainees ("H-3")
Foreign Journalists ("I")
Exchange Visitors ("J-1")

How Do I Obtain a Waiver of the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement?
Fiancees of U.S. Citizens ("K-1")
Spouses of U.S. Citizens ("K-3")
Intracompany Transferees ("L-1")
Vocational Students ("M-1")
Persons of Extraordinary Ability ("O")

Regulations: Petitioning Requirements for the O and P Nonimmigrant Classifications (4-16-07)
Athletes and Entertainers ("P")

COMPETE Act of 2006
International Cultural Exchange Visitors ("Q")
Religious Workers ("R")
Witnesses and Informants ("S")
Victims of Human Trafficking ("T")
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (T and U Visas)
Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA ("TN")

Proposed 3-year TN Rule (5-09-08)
HOW TO OBTAIN U INTERIM RELIEF: A Brief Manual for Advocates Assisting Immigrant Victims of Crime ("U") - (June 2007)

Interim U Regulations (September 17, 2007)
Certain Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents ("V")

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APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY VISA
IN CANADA OR MEXICO

Online Visa Appointment Reservation System (Canada)
Visa Information Services (Mexico)
INS Ends Visa Waiver for Certain Permanent Residents of Canada and Bermuda (3-17-03)
State Department Ends Visa Waiver for Certain Permanent Residents of Canada and Bermuda (3-17-03)
State Department Regulation Restricting Automatic Revalidation (Effective 4-1-02)

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OTHER ISSUES REGARDING TEMPORARY VISAS

Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase On January 1, 2008
Press Release: USCIS Announces Flexible Response Times for Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence (4-12-07)
Fact Sheet: USCIS Announces Flexible Response Times for Notices of Intent to Deny and Requests for Evidence (4-12-07)
State Department Announces End of Revalidation of Visas in the U.S. (6-23-04)
Visa Revalidation
Waivers and Classes of Aliens Ineligible to Receive Visas
"Dual Intent" Doctrine
Visa Denials

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