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In order to gain access to U.S. soil, foreigners must have a non-immigrant visa. This can be issued for a number of reasons. Some of the most common are for tourism, temporary work, and needing medical treatment. Any U.S. non-immigration visa lawyer in Los Angeles can assist foreign citizens in obtaining non-immigrant visas.

The Various Types of Non-Immigrant Visas

There are multiple different types of visas that are available to immigrants who want to enter the United States. Based on your reason for travel, you’ll need to file for a visa for that type of situation. Visas can be applied for at your local country Consul or U.S. Embassy. Here are a few different categories of visas that foreign persons may apply for:

• Media Journalists
• Nannies/Au Pairs
• Athletes
• Business Visitors
• Tourists
• Religious Workers
• Students

It’s important to note that not all of these applications are the same. For example, if you apply for a non-immigrant visa for temporary work, it must be approved by the Department of Labor. Each type of non-immigrant visa has its own set of requirements that you’ll need to follow.

What is a Temporary Visa?

Non-immigrant visas, also known as temporary visas are obtained by those who wish to visit the United States for a short period of time. This could be from a couple of days to a couple of years. It’s important to understand that a temporary visa is not a green card. It’s only good for a specified amount of time.

You Can Now Enter The U.S.

Your passport will have a temporary visa either stapled or glued onto it. This gives you the authorization you need to enter the United States for a specified period of time. This specified time period is referred to as the visa validity period by the U.S. Government.

During this validity period, you can enter and exit the U.S. as many times as you would like to. The best way to describe this is a season ticket to your favorite amusement park. You simply present your temporary visa, found adhered to your passport, to the United States Border Patrol Officers. However, it’s important to note that it’s up to the officers to determine if you’re still eligible for the temporary visa status.

I-94 Period Of Admission

Upon entry to the United States, you’ll be given a date which you’ll need to leave by. This is called the I-94 Period of Admission. This is filed with the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. You can extend your stay period if you apply to do so. It’s best to enlist the help of a visa lawyer for non-immigrants to pursue this route.

How to Extend Your Period of Admission

If you would like to stay inside of the country for longer than your period of admission, then you’ll need to follow a two-step process. First, you’ll need to identify whether or not you’re eligible for an extension. This eligibility is going to be dependent on the type of visa that you currently have.

Once you’ve determined that you’re eligible for an extension, then you’ll need to have your criminal records and prior immigration history reviewed. This will ensure that you’re admissible to stay inside of the United States. You can find more information regarding an extension of your visa at the U.S. Department of State website or by talking with a lawyer well-versed in visa-related cases.

A Closer Look at Common Non-Immigrant Visas

As you learned above, there are many different non-immigrant visas you can apply for. Understanding the eligibility requirements of each is imperative to pick the right one for your situation. Here is a quick look at some of the most commonly awarded temporary visas.

B-1 / B-2: This is one of the most common types of non-immigrant visas issued by the government. It’s for persons who are tourists or are visitors to businesses within the United States. This type of visa taps out at a maximum of six full months.

E-1 Treaty Trader/E-2 Treaty Investor: Business is the second most common reason for non-immigrant visas apart from tourism. With these types of visas, business owners or employees can gain access to the United States to conduct trade of goods and services. This can also be used to manage or create established investments in the U.S. This type of non-immigrant visa is good for a maximum of 5 years.

H-1B/H-2B: This type of visa is reserved for specialty workers. These can be full-time employees or seasonal workers. There are many restrictions applied to this category such as having to advertise the job before hiring a foreign individual for it. If you need assistance figuring out this type of visa, be sure to enlist the help of an immigration lawyer in Los Angeles for H visa specialty workers.

H-2B Visa For Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers: Who Qualifies?

The H-2B Visa allows employers to hire non-immigrants to work temporarily in the United States. The lengthy and hectic application process should be filled out accurately. You may find it useful to seek legal counsel for assistance with the process. To qualify, applicants must be from an eligible country, which include: Andorra, Australia, Barbados, Kenya, Brazil, Canada and Croatia. This article details groups who qualify for the visa program, such as:

• Food Manufacturers
• Expatriates
• Truck Drivers
• Restaurant Workers
• Mall Workers
• Entertainers
• Casual Laborers

E-2 Visa For Treaty Investors In The U.S.: Who Qualifies?

The E-2 treaty investor visa is only a temporary non-immigration visa that is obtained through the Law Offices of Immigration. The government has established a process that allows business people to work with select countries (nationals of countries) that have an investment treaty with the U.S. If you are obtaining through investment, the E-2 visa has no minimum dollar amount. Whereas a green card investment should be at least $500,000. To qualify, you must invest in a bona fide enterprise. If not, your petition will not count. Evidence can include:

• Tax returns
• Business licenses
• Bank statements
• Lease agreements

Read on for more insight into eligibility requirements and how to successfully apply, and get involved in the right investment.

Application Process For A B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa

If you are interested in applying for a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa, you should visit the U.S. Embassy in their resident country. You must complete Form DS-160 in an online visa application portal for non-immigrants. Once filled, you will be able to begin an official visa application process. The following will be needed for DS-160:

• The passport expiration date must be six months later than the date of the intended stay.
• Two by two inches of passport-sized photographs of you.
• Letter of Employment – It should describe your job’s nature, what you intend to do as you visit the US, the activities you will be attending, your departure date, and the mandatory date of return.
• Travel itinerary, proof of hotel booking, departure plane tickets, bus tickets.
• The dates of your last five trips to the US and strong evidence proving that you will return to your country of residence.
• Your Resume.
• Proof of financial stability.

This article will guide you through the application process of filing B-1 and B-2 forms. While the process seems simple enough or straightforward, it’s advisable to seek legal counsel. Our trusted lawyers at Grey Immigration can provide you with the best legal advice and guidance.