L Visa
The L-1A and L-1B visas are 2 types of work visas that are available for temporary intracompany transferees who work in managerial positions or have specialized knowledge.
- The L-1A visa is for intracompany transferees who work in managerial or executive positions in a company that is located outside the United States.
- To qualify for the L-1A visa, the applicant must have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within three years prior to their admission to the United States.
- The applicant must work in an executive or managerial role for the same employer or for one of its qualifying organizations.
- The L-1B visa is for intracompany transferees who work in positions that require specialized knowledge.
- To qualify for the L-1B visa, the applicant must have worked for a qualifying organization abroad for one continuous year within three years prior to their admission to the United States.
- The applicant must provide services in a specialized knowledge for the same employer or one of its qualifying organizations. For additional information on what qualifies as specialized knowledge, visit the USCIS website.
O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Talent
The O-1 visa is reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, business, or athletics. In order to qualify for an O-1 visa, an applicant must prove their extraordinary ability through a record of national and international acclaim. The applicant may either provide evidence of an internationally recognized award or provide evidence of at least three of the following:
- Receipt of nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards for excellence in the field of endeavor
- Membership in associations in the field for which classification is sought which require outstanding achievements, as judged by recognized national or international experts in the field
- Published material in professional or major trade publications, newspapers, or other major media about the beneficiary and the beneficiary’s work in the field for which classification is sought
- Original scientific, scholarly, or business-related contributions of major significance in the field
- Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or other major media in the field for which classification is sought
- A high salary or other remuneration for services as evidenced by contracts or other reliable evidence
- Participation on a panel, or individually, as a judge of the work of others in the same or in a field of specialization allied to that field for which classification is sought
- Employment in a critical or essential capacity for organizations and establishments that have a distinguished reputation
E Visa
The E visa category includes treaty traders and investors who come to the United States under a treaty of commerce and navigation between the United States and the country of which the treaty trader or investor is a citizen or national.
- Treaty traders (E-1) carry on substantial trade in goods, including but not limited to services and technology, principally between the United States and the foreign country of which they are citizens or nationals.
- Treaty investors (E-2) direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested, or are actively investing, a substantial amount of money.
P Visa
The P-1 visa is reserved for athletes who are coming temporarily to the U.S. to compete individually or as part of a team at an internationally recognized event.
The P-2 visa is reserved for entertainers and artists who are coming to the U.S. as part of a reciprocal exchange program between a U.S. organization and a foreign organization.
Q Visa
The Q visa is for individuals seeking to participate in an international cultural exchange program. USCIS determines qualifying cultural exchange programs. These programs allow Q visa holders to share the culture, history and traditions of their home country.
B1/B2 Visa
B1 visas are restricted to individuals who are temporarily visiting the United States to perform business activities. These activities are limited and include: negotiating contracts, attending conferences, and training co-workers. The B2 visa is reserved for tourists who are present for purely personal pleasure. The spouse and children of B1 visa holders who are accompanying the B1 visa holder must apply for individual B2 visas.
