Employment (Work) Visas
Employment Visas Overview
Business immigration cases represent a large portion of our activities and we understand exactly what is at stake for professionals looking to grow their business across international boundaries.
Through years of legal experience we have helped countless businesses successfully expand into the United States. We have worked with clients of all sizes in varied areas of commercial activity including mining, technology, education, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, and retail and restaurants.
We provide legal guidance for the following business visas:
Some of these visas are non-immigrant visas, and are almost always temporary. We can consult with you regarding the visa that best applies to your situation. If your long-term goal is to establish a more permanent residential visa, or perhaps a Green Card, then we can also counsel you through the steps to take towards hopefully achieving this goal.
B-1 Visas: Are You Visiting the U.S. for Business?
The B-1 Visa is available to those who are coming to the U.S. or attempting to do business with a U.S.-based business on a temporary basis. It is a non-immigrant visa, intended for those who must conduct commercial or professional business in the U.S. This may encompass any conventions, consultations, conferences, and other professional activity. The work does not usually entail physical labor or payment in the form of financial compensation.
What are the requirements?
Anyone who is entering the United States is presumed to be an immigrant. All B-1 Visa applicants must demonstrate their intentions of doing business with U.S. companies. Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate that they intend to do business with U.S.-based companies on a temporary basis only.
This may be done in the following ways:
Here are some examples of the types of activities approved under the B-1 Visa:
J-1 Visas: Exchange Visitor
The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs. The Exchange Visitor Program promotes mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by educational and cultural exchanges. The J-1 classification is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.
In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department of State designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. J-1 non-immigrants are subsequently sponsored by an exchange program managed by the U.S. Department of State. These programs are designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and science.
Most typically, the J-1 Visa is issued to full time students who enter the exchange program indicating they intend to stay in the U.S. only for a limited period of time, have enough funds to cover their expenses, and that there are significant ties binding them to their home country.
Applicants eligible for the J-1 visa are:
Application Process
The U.S. Department of State plays a primary role in administering the J-1 exchange visitor program, so the first step in obtaining a J-1 visa is to submit a Form DS-2019, the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status”. This form will be provided by the sponsoring agency. An official who is authorized to issue Form DS-2019 is known as a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). The RO or ARO will explain to the beneficiary what documents are needed in order to be issued a DS-2019. After it has been obtained, the applicant may then apply for a J-1 visa through the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so submitting the visa application as early as possible is strongly encouraged. An Exchange Visitor may not enter the United States in J-1 status more than 30 days before their program begins.
What are SEVIS and DS-2019?
These two abbreviations are normally associated with the J-1 Visa. SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) is a system for monitoring international exchange students as they participate in their exchange programs. It requires the participants to indicate their addresses, confirm the program dates and supply other information. The DS-2019 form is the document given to program participants after they complete their application and are accepted into the program. It is a necessary prerequisite for obtaining the J-1 Visa, and it proves that the participant has been sponsored by a corresponding international organization for their visa. It is required that the visa and the DS-2019 form be kept together at all times.
What does the J-1 Visa allow a person to do?
Under the J-1 Visa, a person can legally enter the U.S. for a limited period of time and work for 4 months during the summer. The time of stay is limited by the duration of the exchange program the students belong to. After the program finishes, international exchange students have a 30-day grace period during which they can’t work and are only allowed to make arrangements for their departure. If it is a multiple-entry visa, the visa holder can leave and re-enter the U.S. during their time in the States. Some J-1 nonimmigrants enter the United States specifically to work (as a researcher, specialist, etc.) while others do not. Employment is authorized for J-1 nonimmigrants only under the terms of the exchange program.
Family of J-1 Visa Holders
The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of a J-1 holder, regardless of nationality, are entitled to J-2 classification. Spouse and children are also entitled to work authorization although their income may not be used to support the J-1 holder. To apply for work authorization as a J-2 nonimmigrant, the spouse or child would file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
Petitioning for a L-1 Visa in Seattle or Vancouver, BC?
Work with Our Business Immigration Attorneys
Millar & Hayes works with professionals throughout the world to help them with their L-1 intra-company business visas and immigration needs. Our law firm has more than 10 years of experience, during which we have successfully facilitated the transfer of employees between the following entities:
We are experienced in filing L-1A, L-1B, and blanket L petitions. We understand the often urgent need for employees to be at different locations of the business operation. We frequently obtain timely and successful results for the individuals and companies we represent.
If you are interested in learning more about L-1 inter-company transfer visas, contact us or schedule a consultation. If you are serious about retaining legal assistance, a consultation is the best place to start. Spend up to a full hour with an immigration attorney to discuss the details of your case, get answers to your questions, work through complex issues and supporting documents, and plan an immigration strategy for obtaining benefits. The initial period is either 1 year for new offices or 3 years for businesses older than 1 year, with renewals / extensions in 2-year increments.
Spouses and Children
Spouses and unmarried minor children of L-1A visa holders can obtain L-2 status, which allows them to live, study, and work in the U.S. In order to work in the U.S., L-2 visa holders must apply for and obtain an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) and renew it as necessary. Our Seattle immigration lawyers can help you achieve your goals. Call us today.
H-1B Visa Attorneys in Seattle & Vancouver
Visas for Professionals
Choosing a law firm for your business immigration needs is an important decision. Millar & Hayes takes pride in our dedication, success, and experience in the field of business immigration law. If you are looking to obtain a H-1B visa, our Seattle immigration lawyers can work with you to:
What are the eligibility requirements?
Specialty Occupations: Our attorneys have successfully completed cases for a wide array of companies and appropriate professional workers such as:
Labor Condition Application
When it comes to filing an H-1B visa petition, employers must first prepare the Labor Condition Application. We can guide you through the process of filing with the Department of Labor.
H-1B Visa Portability
After obtaining an H-1B visa, the employee is allowed to work only for the sponsoring employer. While it is a complex process, it is however possible for an H-1B visa to be transferred from one employer to another once the employee is present in the United States. Our legal team at Millar & Hayes is skilled and knowledgeable when it comes to these matters and we can successfully guide you through the process.
O and P Visas:
Millar & Hayes Immigration Lawyers works with aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics to help them with their O and P visa immigration needs. Our firm ensure that all documents are filed and completed both quickly and accurately. Our extensive experience can translate to the success of your O or P visa application. We provide immigration law services tailored to meet the specific needs of your situation. Our mission is to provide clients with the highest quality immigration services. These legal services include superlative customer service and expertise, creative solutions, state-of-the-art technology, flexibility and fairness. If you are interested in learning more about O and P visas, contact us or schedule a consultation.
Description
The O-1 visa is designated for aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics. The O-1 visa is very helpful for artists, athletes, entertainers, high-end chefs, and business people lacking professional degrees. There is no prevailing wage requirement, the O-1 visa may be extended indefinitely and there is no numerical limit to the number of O-1 visas issued. The O-1 visa is a good option for J1 visa holders who are subject to INA §212(E) and have not obtained a waiver. The J1 visa holder can apply for an O-1 visa via third country processing.
The P-1 visa is designated for entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who are coming to the U.S. temporarily to perform at a specific competition or event. An athlete who wishes to remain in the U.S. for a longer period of time should apply for an O-1 visa.
Eligibility
Scientists, educators, business persons and athletes who wish to qualify for the O visa must show three of the following:
Artists and Entertainers (except TV or movie stars) who wish to qualify for the O visa must show three of the following:
O-2 and O-3 Visas
The O-2 visa is designated for persons that accompany and assist an O-1 visa holder in a specific athletic or artistic event or in the motion picture or television industry. O-2 visas are not available for those who accompany or assist O-1 visa holders in education, science, or business. Spouses and children of the O-2 visa holder may obtain an O3 visa to enter and remain in the US. The O3 visa holder may attend school but if he or she wishes to work, he or she must change his or her status to obtain a work visa. An O-2 classification applies to an accompanying alien who is coming temporarily to the United States solely to assist in the artistic or athletic performance by an O-1. The O-2 alien must:
P Visas: Entertainers, circus artists, and athletes who wish to qualify for the P visa must show two of the following:
P-2 visas
The P-2 Visa is designated for artists or entertainers individually or as part of a group entering the U.S. temporarily as a part of an exchange program. There should be two organizations involved in this exchange program: one in the U.S. and one abroad. Artists and entertainers who wish to qualify for the visa must show the following:
P-3 visas
The P-3 visa is designated for teachers and coaches coming temporarily to perform, teach or coach as artists or entertainers, individually or as part of a group, under a program that is culturally unique. Teachers and coaches who wish to qualify for the visa must show the following:
R-1 Visas: Religious Workers
The Religious Worker (R) visa is for persons seeking to enter the United States (U.S.) to work in a religious capacity on a temporary basis. An R-1 is a foreign national who is coming to the United States temporarily to be employed at least part-time (average of at least 20 hours per week) by a non-profit religious organization in the United States (or an organization which is affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States) to work in a religious vocation or occupation. If you are interested in learning more about how a R-1 visa could work for you, contact us or schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney.
Qualifying as a Religious Worker
Religious workers include persons authorized by a recognized employing entity to conduct religious worship and perform other duties usually performed by authorized members of the clergy of that religion, and workers engaging in a religious vocation or occupation.
This may be done in the following ways:
An R-1 visa cannot be issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad without prior approval of Form I-129 by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the foreign national is visa-exempt (e.g. Canadian), they must present the original Form I-797, Notice of Action, reflecting an approval of a valid I-129 R petition at a port of entry. There are certain general requirements which must be satisfied by the petitioning organization as well as by the religious worker, the beneficiary of the petition. The petitioning employer must submit Form I-129 including the R-1 Classification Supplement signed by the employer as well as documentation supporting both the religious organization and the worker.
Period of Stay
An R-1 status may be granted for an initial period of admission of up to 30 months. An extension of R-1 status may be granted for up to an additional 30 months. The total stay in the United States in an R-1 status cannot exceed 60 months (5 years).
Family of R-1 Visa Holders
A nonimmigrant religious worker’s spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age may be issued a R-2 visa. The dependents of an R-1 worker may study, but may not accept employment while in the United States in R-2 status. Therefore, evidence of their financial support while in the U.S. will be necessary at the visa interview.
US Immigration Attorneys Serving Seattle, WA and Beyond
For more than 10 years, our team at Millar & Hayes has been providing immigrants with access to helpful, comprehensive legal counsel. From simple to complicated immigration cases, we are skilled immigration lawyers ready to work hard alongside you, helping you to achieve your immigration goals. We aim to make this experience positive and straightforward for you. We walk you through each step of the visa application process, making sure your paperwork is filed under the correct category and within the required deadlines.
Progressive Answers to Your Requests
Our team is dedicated to providing you with access to the latest information in immigration policy, especially regarding your desire to obtain a visa. Each visa request comes with its own requirements regarding your application, and it’s our job to make sure you meet these requirements. We aim to give you a strong chance at getting your application approved.
Consultation
If you are serious about getting legal assistance a consultation is the best place to start. Spend up to a full hour with an immigration attorney to discuss the details of your case, get answers to your questions, work through complex issues and supporting documents and plan an immigration strategy for obtaining benefits.