The O-1 Visa is for persons of extraordinary ability. The Visa enables people with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, motion picture or television industry to enter the U.S. for temporary periods of time.
To be considered a person of extraordinary ability, you should be considered to be at the top of your field, and can only work in the US in that area of expertise.
O-1 status can be granted initially for up to three years, depending on the length of the employment. O-1 Visas can be extended however they are usually approved in one-year periods.
Your spouse and children under the age of 21 may join you in the US via O-3 status. Although they may not work while in the U.S., family members are allowed to attend school.
O-2 VISA
O-2 Visas are offered to support personnel of O-1 Visa holders in the fields of athletics, entertainment, motion picture and television production. This status is not applicable to personnel in the sciences, business or education.
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are permitted to accompany you to the US, under O-3 status. The petitioner should file a petition on their behalf. Your dependents must prove immediate relation to you. Though they are not allowed to work while in the U.S., dependants may attend school or college.
P-1 VISA
P-1 Visas are issued to particular entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who wish to work temporarily in the U.S.
P-1 Visas can also be processed to core support personnel of P-1 athletes and entertainment groups
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are permitted to accompany you to the United States, under P-4 status. P-4 Visa holders are not allowed to work, but may attend schools or colleges. Servants of a P-1 Visa holder may receive a B-1 Visa with work authorization.
P-2 VISA
P-2 Visas are issued to artists or entertainers, individually or as a group entering the U.S. as a part of a reciprocal exchange program. There should be two organizations involved in this exchange program: one in the U.S. and one Internationally. Essential support personnel of P-2 artists or entertainers can also obtain P-2 Visas.
Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are permitted to accompany you to the United States, under P-4 status. P-4 Visa holders are not allowed to work without being granted permission.
P-3 VISA
P-3 classification can be given to artists or entertainers who are coming to the U.S. individually or as a group to develop, interpret, coach or teach a unique or traditional ethnic, folk, cultural, musical, theatrical or artistic performance or presentation. The person must be coming to the U.S. to participate in a cultural event that will enhance their skills.
Essential personnel of P-3 artists and entertainers can also obtain P-3 Visas. Your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 are permitted to accompany you to the United States under a P-4 status. P-4 Visa holders are not allowed to work, but may attend schools or colleges
B-1 VISA
The B-1 Visa is for temporary business visitors. This Visa allows for a variety of business and economic activities in the U.S. Individuals eligible for this Visa range from board members and athletes to musicians, entertainers and servants of non-immigrant. PLEASE NOTE: the B-1 Visa is offered to business visitors but you are not allowed work in the U.S.
You may attend meetings, conventions, conferences or negotiations on behalf of a foreign employer as long as you are not being paid for this service.
You may also be asked to provide the following documents:
B-2 VISA
The B-2 Visa is issued to tourists as well as spouses, children and parents of B-1 Visa holders.
Activities allowed on a B-2 are any legitimate activities of a recreational character, including tourism, amusement, visits to friends and/or relatives, rest, medical treatment and activities of a social or service nature.
Change of Status
To change your Visa to a different Visa you must already be on the following Visas:
- Diplomatic and other government officials, and their families and employees on an A Visa
- Temporary visitors for business or pleasure on B Visa category
- Academic students on F-1 Visa and their immediate family members on F-2 Visa
- Representatives to international organizations and their families and employees on G Visa
- Exchange visitors on J-1 Visa and their immediate family members on J-2 Visa
- Vocational students on M-1 Visa and their immediate family members on M-2 Visa
- Parents and children of the people who have been granted special immigrant status because their parents were employed by an international organization in the United States
- Temporary workers and their immediate family members on H, L, O, P, Q or R Visa
Extension of Stay
To apply for an extension on your current Visa you must be on the following Visa:
- A-1, A-2, A-3: Diplomatic and foreign government officials, their immediate family members and employees
- B-1, B-2: Temporary visitors for business or pleasure
- F-1, F-2: Academic students and their immediate family members
- G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5: Representatives to international organizations and their families and employees
- I Visa: Representatives of foreign media and their immediate family members
- J-1, J-2: Exchange visitors and their immediate family members
- M-1, M-2: Vocational students and their immediate family members
- N-8, N-9: Parents and children special immigrants
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is how most travelers enter the US. You can enter for reason of pleasure. You are not allowed to obtain a job or attend job interviews. You cannot stay longer than 90 days nor are you allowed to extend or change your Visa during your trip to the U.S.
GREEN CARD - PERM Labor Certification
A Green Card or Permanent Resident Card shows proof of a person's permanent residence in the US. A person with a Green Card has the right to live and work permanently in the United States. In order to remain in compliance with federal regulations, Green Card holders have to follow immigration law and be properly registered with the United States government. Green Card holders are entitled to depart the United States on vacation or for work purposes. there are limitations on how long a prson can stay outside the United States without losing their permanent resident status / Green Card.
J-1 VISA
The J-1 exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Applicants include:
- Students at all academic levels
- People seeking practical training with US companies
- Teachers of primary, secondary and specialized schools
- Professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning
- Research scholars
- Professional trainees in the medical and associated areas
- International visitors coming to U.S. to tour, examine, enquire, carry out research, get training, have specialized knowledge or skills, or take part in an organized people-to-people program
Benefits of the J-1 Visa
You can enter the U.S. as an exchange visitor
Your family can stay with you as long as you are within your J-1 status. They can also attend school while on the J-2 dependent Visa
You do not pay Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax withholdings
Your family can apply for a work permit to work in the U.S., however they cannot get a work permit if the money they earn is to support the person on a J-1 Visa
What is SEVIS and SEVP? What should you know about it?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M Visa), exchange visitors (J Visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.
