Visas for
Temporary work
TEMPORARY WORK VISAS IN THE U.S.
THERE ARE MANY VISA OPTIONS TO WORK IN AMERICA
The United States provides several types of nonimmigrant visas for those who wish to work temporarily in the country. Each of these visas have its own rules and criteria for approval, elaborated based on the specific purpose of the work that a person intends to perform in America.
Click HERE to access the official U.S. government website on all types of temporary work visas.
All U.S. temporary work visas require a petition previously approved and signed by interested parties: the contracting company in the United States and the applicant himself. After receiving the petition approved by the U.S. authorities, the next step is to schedule an appearance at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for an interview with an American consular officer (consul), where the application for the work visa will be evaluated.
It is important to note that temporary work visas may be renewed, but none of them grant the right to immigration or permanent residence in the U.S., and their bearer is subject to the time allotted for stay in the country and the rules imposed by the U.S. authorities.
Among the most common professional modalities that house temporary work visas are: specialized work, agricultural work, company transfer, media coverage, artistic exhibition, sports performance, religious work and even training programs or cultural exchange for foreign workers.
GET TO KNOW THE MOST FREQUENT TEMPORARY WORK VISAS
H-1B
(SKILLED WORKERS)
The visa is intended for skilled workers. In addition to needing a specialized qualification in his/her professional area, the applicant will need a “sponsor” in the United States who will act as a visa petitioner. The H-1B process begins in the United States, through an I-129 petition that explains to the U.S. government the reasons why that specific vacancy should be filled temporarily by the foreign worker and not by a local worker.
H-2B
(SEASONAL WORKERS IN DEMMANDING AREAS)
This visa allows american employers that meet specific regulatory criteria to hire foreign nationals to perform work of a temporary or seasonal nature for which there is a shortage of labor among US citizens and legal residents. Before submitting the petition (form 129H) to USCIS, the employer is required to obtain from the Labor Department a certificate confirming that there are no American workers qualified for the functions on which the petition is based.
H-3B
(STAFF IN TRAINING)
The H-3 Visa is intended for professionals who will travel to the United States to receive training from his or her employer in any area other than undergraduate or academic training. The training cannot be used to provide productive employment (unless such employment is incidental and necessary to the training) and cannot be available in the applicant’s country of origin. The employer must submit a petition (form I-129) with USCIS to obtain approval for the training.
I
(MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES)
I visas are intended for press or media professionals. To be considered for these visas, professionals must have an employment contract or similar document issued by a company justifying the need for their assignments during travel to the United States. In general, this visa is used by reporters and other media professionals to cover events by foreign media.
L-1
(INTERNATIONAL TRANSFER OF MANAGERS AND EXECUTIVES)
The L-1 visa is a temporary work visa for managers and executives on international company transfers. This visa is divided into L-1A (Managers) and L-1B (Executives). In general, this transfer happens between affiliated companies or subsidiaries. It is necessary to prove the relationship between the two companies in addition to proof of the commercial capacity of the company in the U.S. to bring and maintain the foreign worker to the country for the specified period of time.
O
(INDIVIDUALS WITH EXCEPTIONAL SKILLS IN TEMPORARY TRAVEL)
O visas are aimed at individuals with exceptional skills in the fields of science, education, sports, arts, business, among others, considered “top of the field” in their professional segment, and who intend to travel to the U.S. for a certain period of time. This visa requires a petitioner in the U.S. who must provide an employment contract detailing the terms of employment or event itinerary.
P
(PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES OR ARTISTS)
P visas are intended for athletes with the purpose of being part of a professional team in the United States to engage in professional competitions. Coaches of these athletes are also eligible for this classification. The P visa can also be used by artists who intend to travel to the U.S. for artistic performances, music recordings or other types of records of their art. A P visa must be requested by a U.S. petitioner or an agent, who must detail the terms of work or event itinerary.
R-1
(RELIGIOUS WORKERS)
The R-1 is a visa for religious workers who wish to work temporarily in the United States for various religious organizations in different religious occupations. This organizations must be non-profit or tax exempt.
HAVE YOU IDENTIFIED YOURSELF WITH ANY OF THE PROFILES FOR THE ABOVE VISAS AND HAVE AN INTEREST IN WORKING TEMPORARILY IN THE U.S.?
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