Louisiana Immigration Law Firm

Ashley Dees LLC is now Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. Please visit www.bal.com for more information.

A Basic Guide to U.S. Work Visas

Applying for a work visa can be a confusing and overwhelming process, especially if you aren’t sure what type of visa to apply for! In this blog, we look at some of the most common types of work visas, as well as who will qualify for each. For guidance with visa applications or any other immigration challenge, contact our skilled Lake Charles immigration attorneys today.

Don’t face complex immigration matters alone – call (337) 214-0670 today for experienced guidance.

H-1B Visas: Specialist Workers

The H-1B visa is one of the most popular types of visas, and is reserved for foreign workers who will be employed in some type of specialty application. The requirements for these visas are fairly restrictive, and only those with a relevant bachelor’s degree or comparable work experience will typically be considered. There is a lot of competition for these visas, as they are limited to just 65,000 per year (although more are available in certain circumstances).

TN Visas: Specialist Workers in North America

Similar to the H-1B visa, TN visas allow specialist workers to gain employment to the United States. These visas are only available to workers coming from Canada and Mexico, and as a result have lower requirements than their H-1B counterparts.

O-1 Visas: Extraordinary Abilities

If you are at the top of your field, you may qualify for an O-1 visa. These visas are restricted to those who have demonstrated “extraordinary ability,” such as a highly respected researcher or a doctor who has been published in major medical journals. Artists who have achieved “distinction” may also be considered for these visas.

P-1 Visas: Entertainers & Athletes

Whenever an internationally-recognized sports team or an individual athlete travels to the United States to compete, they will be required to obtain a P-1 visa. For example, P-1 visas are likely obtained for British Premier League soccer players when they play exhibition games against Major League Soccer teams.

For compassionate and effective counsel, call our Lake Charles immigration lawyers for your initial case evaluation.

Categories: