Visas and Nationality
The following are some of the main
visas required to migrate to the States.
B-1/B-2 VISA.
The B-1 and B-2 visas are temporary
visas that last for an initial duration of six months.
The B-1 visa allows entry into the states for business
purposes such as the attendance of business meetings
although the beneficiary is not entitled to receive
remuneration from a United States source and the B-2
visa allows the beneficiary to enter the US as a tourist.The
visa holder is not permitted to work nor incidentally
receive payment for work performed.
H-1B VISA
This is a temporary visa that lasts
for an initial duration of three years. It allows a
person with the requisite credentials to enter the United
States to work. A United States employer is required
to make an offer of employment to the potential recipient
of this visa and put in a petition to the Immigration
and Naturalisation Service in the states on the future
beneficiaries' behalf. If the petition is successful,
the H-1B visa may then be sought on application to the
US embassy.
E-1/E-2 VISA
The E-1 visa is known as the treaty
trader visa and benefits nationals of a treaty partner
country of the United States who are engaged in a substantial
volume of trade with the United States. The E-2 visa
on the other hand, is referred to as the treaty investor
visa and is issued to a foreign national of a treaty
country who is entering the States to develop and manage
a business enterprise and who is committed to investing
a non-marginal substantial amount of capital into the
enterprise.
L-1 VISA
This is a temporary visa that lasts
for a total duration of seven years in most cases, for
persons being transferred from a foreign place of employment
to an affiliated US company/firm. The personal criteria
for the transferee employee are that they are employed
in an executive or managerial position within the foreign
company/firm or have specialised knowledge. They are
then required to perform the same or similar duties
within the affiliate US Company.
J-1 VISA
This visa would be useful to a person
seeking to acquire on-the -job practical training in
the States. The duration of stay is limited to the time
required to complete the particular programme for which
the person was admitted. Eligibility for entering the
States on the strength of this visa is based on the
U.S employer determining whether or not a sponsor has
been designated by the United States Information Agency
as an exchange-visitor program sponsor.
K-1 VISA
This visa is attainable by the fiancé/ee
of a USA citizen. The visa is granted (amongst other
considerations) on condition that the couple marry within
90 days of entry into the states. Although this is a
temporary visa, the visa holder is expected to adjust
his/her status to that of permanent resident whilst
within the USA.
K-3 VISA
This benefits the foreign spouse of
a U.S citizen as a temporary measure to entering the
United States before attaining a permanent/immigrant
visa. It is aimed at allowing for a more expeditious
entry into the States than would be the case if the
foreign spouse was totally reliant on awaiting the approval
of an immigrant visa.
F-1 VISA
This visa is commonly referred to
as the student visa and may be utilised by a person
seeking to engage in a full time academic course in
the USA. The visa is valid for the entire duration of
the program.
O-1 VISA
This category of visa is specifically
for persons of extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences,
education, business or athletics. Extraordinary ability
refers to skills of an exceptional standard in the field
of endeavour and qualification for this visa is dependant
on evidentiary documentation submitted to the pertinent
immigration authority demonstrative of such ability.
P-1 VISA
This visa is utilised by entertainers
who perform as part of an internationally recognised
group and athletes who compete individually or as part
of a team at an internationally recognised level of
performance.
GREEN CARD
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