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US IMMIGRATION
B-1
B-1 in lieu of H-1B
E-1
E-2
Green Card Through Marriage
H-1B
I
L-1
O-1
P-1
R-1
RESOURCES
news
articles
links
glossary
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US IMMIGRATION - VISA CATEGORIES
If you want to find out if you may be eligible for
US immigration through any of the following visas or categories then
click “qualify” and complete the form. Should you want to find out more about a
particular US Immigration category, click “more info”. If you satisfy the
initial qualification requirements, a member of our staff will contact you to
discuss any circumstances that may affect your eligibility for a visa and
services we may be able to offer that will help you obtain your visa.
As a general rule, nationals of countries participating in the Visa Waiver
Program (VWP) need not obtain a visa to perform regular business activities in
the US. These countries are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium Brunei,
Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan,
Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway,
Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the
United Kingdom. Nationals of other countries will need a visa to perform
business activities in the US, most likely the B-1 visa.
This visa is somewhat unusual as it allows the holder to work in the US, yet
does not require the filing and approval of a petition to the US Citizenship
and Immigration Services like most work visas do. It also does not involve a US
employer. This may in rare circumstances cause problems when the holder enters
the US. Please consult with one of our US immigration specialists for more
information concerning this issue.
There are two types of E visas, E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor. The
basis for the classifications lies in treaties of friendship, commerce and
navigation or Bilateral Investment Treaty or other arrangements between the US
and certain countries that were entered into to enhance or facilitate economic
and commercial interaction between the US and the relevant countries.
There are two types of E visas, E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor. The
basis for the classifications lies in treaties of friendship, commerce and
navigation or Bilateral Investment Treaty or other arrangements between the US
and certain countries that were entered into to enhance or facilitate economic
and commercial interaction between the US and the relevant countries.
A bona fide marriage to a US Citizen may be the safest and sometimes also the
quickest way to a US green card. For immigration purposes, spouses of US
Citizens are considered to be in the so-called Immediate Relative category,
which enjoys some advantages compared to other preference categories. In
particular, there are pronounced procedural benefits where the US Citizen
spouse is residing in the UK.
Generally, the H-1B visa is designed to enable US employers hire foreign
workers in specialty occupations on a temporary basis. A specialty occupation
is one that requires (a) the theoretical and practical application of a body of
highly specialized knowledge and (b) the attainment of a bachelor or higher
degree in the specific specialty (or its equivalent) as a minimum for entry
into the occupation in the US.
Generally, representatives of the non-US media traveling on assignment to the
United States require “I” classification visas. They are not eligible to travel
visa free under the Visa Waiver Program or enter the United States on B-1
business visas. Those who attempt to do so may be denied admission to the
United States by immigration authorities at the port of entry.
This category facilitates transfer of employees between two or more existing or
related companies: One in the US and one overseas. This is also for transfers
of employees between a non-US company and a planned US subsidiary.
The O-1 visa category is meant for individuals having extraordinary ability in
the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics and also for individuals
involved in motion picture or TV production having a demonstrated record of
extraordinary achievement.
Generally, the P-1 visa is suitable for individual or team athletes that are
internationally recognised. The athlete must enter to US to participate in a
competition, event or performance. This includes promotional appearances and
can also include an entire season.
The R-1 visa category is suitable for religious ministers and for persons
working in a religious vocation or occupation. The person must be entering the
US to work in one of these religious capacities.
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ARTICLE SPOTLIGHT
Travelling to the US without a visa when you have been even arrested may prevent you from entering the US....
more info
US NEWS
Student Visas 08 November 2006
Entries for Green Card Lottery Now Accepted 06 October 2005
Update on Fiscal Year 2006 H-1B Numbers 13 June 2005
Update Regarding H-1B Exemptions 25 May 2005
20,000 Additional H-1B Numbers 05 May 2005
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