Visas for foreign nationals who do not intend to reside permanently in the United States are referred to as nonimmigrant visas. There are many different types of nonimmigrant visas available depending on the reason for the foreign national’s stay in the United States.

The Allott Immigration Law Firm helps clients to determine which nonimmigrant visa is best suited for their needs. Our attorneys not only assist with the initial application process, including consular processing, but once the visa is granted we continuously monitor for any necessary extensions. 

 

H Visa

An H visa is a temporary work visa and is divided into multiple categories.

H-1B visa: The H-1B visa program allows businesses in the United States to temporarily employ foreign workers with specialized or technical expertise in a particular field or specialty occupation that requires theoretical or technical expertise. Examples include scientists, engineers or computer programmers.

 

H-2B visa: For skilled and unskilled workers performing temporary or seasonal work. Either an H-1B visa or H-2B visa may be sought after the labor certification process has established that no United States workers are available for the position.

On April 5, 2013 USCIS announced the H-1B Fiscal Year 2014 Cap was reached.

 

Fiscal Year 2013 H-2B Visa Cap Count

Cap Type	Cap Bene-ficiaries	Beneficiaries Approved	Bene-ficiaries Pending	Target Bene-ficiaries (1)	Total	Date of Last Count
H-2B:  1st Half FY 2013	33,000	43,089	174	44,000	43,263	3/31/2013
H-2B:  2nd Half FY 2013	33,000(2)	20,712	1,860	0	22,572	5/17/2013

(1) Refers to the estimated number of beneficiaries needed to be included on petitions filed with USCIS to reach the H-2B cap, with an allowance for withdrawals, denials and revocations.  This number will always be higher than the actual cap.

(2) As noted, if the cap is not reached for the 1st half of the fiscal year, those numbers will be made available for use during the 2nd half of the fiscal year.  In some fiscal years, therefore, depending on demand for H-2B workers, more than 33,000 cap-subject persons may be granted H-2B status during the 2nd half of the fiscal year.

J Visa

A J visa is reserved for foreign nationals on an exchange visitor program. This can include trainees, certain students, teachers, scholars, and au pairs. The exchange program must be a program that has been designated by the department of state.

L Visa

An L visa is available to foreign nationals who have worked for a company outside the United States for at least one year and whom the company wishes to bring to the United States temporarily to work in a managerial capacity or to provide specialized knowledge. Such foreign nationals are often referred to as intracompany transferees.

 

P Visa

A P visa is suited to entertainers and athletes who are internationally recognized and who wish to come temporarily to the United States to perform.