If you’re considering working in the United States temporarily, you’ll need to navigate the various types of work visas available. A work visa allows non-U.S. citizens to work in the United States for a fixed period. Temporary work visas are issued for highly skilled professionals, agricultural workers, and other workers.
Understanding the different options for temporary or seasonal work in the United States can take time and effort. It’s essential to consult an experienced immigration attorney to ensure you qualify for a temporary work visa. At the Law Office of William Jang, PLLC, our experienced work visa attorneys help foreign workers and U.S. employers throughout the complex immigration process.
Types of Temporary Work Visas
There are generally two types of work visas: nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas.
Nonimmigrant visas are typically issued to foreign nationals looking to work in the United States temporarily. In contrast, immigrant visas are issued to those seeking to live in the country permanently.
The U.S. offers various temporary nonimmigrant work visas, each tailored to suit different employment situations. It’s important to understand the specific requirements and limitations of each visa type:
- H-1B Visa: Specialty Occupations – The H-1B Visa is granted to professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher in I.T., engineering, mathematics, medicine, and many more.
- H-2A Visa Seasonal Agricultural Workers – The H-2A visa allows foreign nationals to enter the United States to work in agriculture. Foreign nationals cannot self-petition for an H-2A.
- H-2B Visa: Seasonal Non-Agricultural Workers – The H-2B visa allows U.S. employers to hire foreign workers to perform seasonal or intermittent non-agricultural work, such as retail or hospitality. H-2B visas are for foreign non-professionals.
- E3 Visa – Australian Working Visa – The E3 Visa is only for Australians, allowing them to work and live in America for up to two years in a specialty occupation. The E3 visa requires applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or higher in their field.
- H-1B1 Visa – The H-1B1 is a temporary worker visa for workers from Chile and Singapore.
- L-1A Visa: Intracompany Transferees – The L-1A visa applies to transferring a company executive from an overseas office to work in the United States.
- O Visa: Extraordinary Ability or Achievement – The O Visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- P Visa: Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers – The P visa is specifically for athletes, artists, and entertainers coming to the U.S. to perform at a specific event, competition, or performance.
- Q Visa: Cultural Exchange – The Q visa is designed for individuals participating in an international cultural exchange program, allowing them to share their culture, history, and traditions with the United States.
- R-1 Visa: Religious Workers – The R-1 visa is expressly for foreign religious workers to work temporarily in the United States for a religious organization.
- N.Visa: North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) – The TN visa allows Canadian and Mexican citizens to temporarily enter the United States to work in a NAFTA-approved occupation.
Temporary Work Visa Requirements
An attorney can explain the specific requirements of each visa category. Generally, you’ll need a valid passport, a photo of yourself, the confirmation page of your completed online application form, a payment receipt for the visa application fee, and a letter from your sponsoring employer detailing your job offer and the nature of the work you’ll be doing.
Temporary Work Visas Duration and Renewal Process
Temporary work visas are typically valid for a fixed period based on the visa type and allow the holder to work only for the sponsoring employer. For example, the H-1B visa is granted for an initial period of up to three years but can be extended for another three years. Meanwhile, the H-2A and H-2B visas are generally approved for the duration of the labor certificate but may be extended in one-year increments.
Renewing your expiring U.S. work visa is similar to the process for first-time applicants. Careful planning and adherence to the specific requirements of your visa category is crucial. Consulting with an immigration attorney and submitting a complete renewal application will improve your chances of successfully renewing your visa.
Contact Us Today to Discuss Your Options for a Temporary Work Visa
The Law Office of William Jang, PLLC helps temporary workers through the process of acquiring their visas in the United States. If you’re hoping to stay in the U.S. on a temporary basis for work, contact us for a confidential and free consultation. Or call us at (512) 323-2333.
