VICTORIA BARR
Immigration Lawyer
- Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Visas
- Visa Waiver: Citizens of certain countries may enter the U.S. as visitors without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). No Visa Waiver visitor can perform local productive employment or receive a salary from a U.S. source. As a general rule, no extensions or changes to another visa category are allowed in the U.S. Nationals of the following countries do not need visas to visit the U.S. for ninety (90) days or less for limited business or tourist purposes:
Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Liechtenstein
Luxembourg
Monaco
Netherlands
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom - B-1 Business Visitor Visa: The B-1 visa is designed for temporary business activities which promote international trade, commerce or investment. Examples: the B-1 visa holder can train, consult with business associates, take orders, participate in meetings, negotiate contracts, or look for sites for investments. B-1 visas are generally issued for a year or more (sometimes up to ten years). Entries are generally limited to six months. A B-1 visitor can apply to CIS to extend his/her stay beyond six months. However, the visitor must continue to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent. A B-1 visa holder may change to another status. However, if an application for change is made within 30 days of entry, CIS presumes that the B entry was fraudulent, and was made with the intent to stay in some other status allowing work authorization
- B-2 Tourist Visa: This is similar to a B-1, but allows entry strictly for tourist purposes. No business activities are allowed.
- H-1B Visas: Using an H-1B visa, U.S. employers are permitted to hire foreign professional employees (for example, professors, researchers or technical personnel) who have at least a four (4) year college degree, if they will work in a position requiring a college degree.
- Visa Waiver: Citizens of certain countries may enter the U.S. as visitors without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). No Visa Waiver visitor can perform local productive employment or receive a salary from a U.S. source. As a general rule, no extensions or changes to another visa category are allowed in the U.S. Nationals of the following countries do not need visas to visit the U.S. for ninety (90) days or less for limited business or tourist purposes: