Philadelphia Work Visa Lawyer
Foreign nationals who want to work in the United States need a work visa. The process for obtaining a visa is often more complicated than workers and employers imagine. There are multiple visas available; choosing the correct one is critical. Because there is no general work visa, you must select an appropriate one based on your education and profession. If you are a worker or employer, you would benefit from the help of a Philadelphia work visa lawyer.
Types of Work Visas
Here are some of the more popular work visas available to foreign nationals. If your credentials don’t match any on this list, contact us. There are other options available:
- E visa. Certain traders and investors can seek the E visa if they are from a country which has a trade treaty with the United States. A common example is someone coming to invest significant capital in a business.
- H visa. These visas are very popular, in particular the H-1B visa for those who work in specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent. The U.S. caps the number of H-1B visas each year.
- J visa. This is an exchange visa which is very popular with students and professionals who are studying, training or performing research in the United States. Many professors and researchers request this visa.
- L visa. This visa is popular with executives, managers, and others with specialized knowledge who work in multinational companies. You can use the L visa to come work in a U.S. branch of your company.
- O visa. Those with “extraordinary” ability in business, art, sciences, and athletics can obtain an O visa. You will need proof of substantial accomplishment, publication, or distinction in your field.
- P visa. Internationally acclaimed entertainers and athletes (and a few others) can receive this visa.
- R visa. An R visa is available to someone hoping to come to the U.S. to become a minister or work in a similar position for a religious organization.
- TN visa. Mexican and Canadian citizens can obtain this visa if they work in one of 63 approved occupations. It is a fairly easy work visa to obtain.
There are many considerations for individuals seeking a work visa. One is whether you hope to eventually apply for a green card to become a permanent resident. Some of the above visas allow you to seek a green card while here (such as H-1B). Other visas do not. Discuss your options with an attorney.
Employers seeking to extend a job offer usually submit a Labor Certification Application to the Department of Labor. The purpose of the LCA is to prove that hiring a foreign national will not disadvantage citizens and lawful permanent residents. You will need to promise to not pay less than the prevailing wage or employ different work conditions.
Contact Us to Get Started
The U.S. awards thousands of work visas every year. One of our Philadelphia work visa lawyers can help you obtain a visa of your own. Call us today.
