Non-Immigrant Individuals who want to work or to carry out their business in the U.S. May apply for temporary non-immigrant visas or may choose to apply for immigrant visa petitions to obtain legal permanent residence. Our firm has the experience to evaluate your situation and advise the best course of action. Non-immigrant Temporary Employment Visas E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas Investors and traders and their employees may receive visas to conduct their businesses in the U.S. If their home country has a commercial treaty with the U.S. conferring visa eligibility. H-1B Specialty Occupation (Professional) Visas Professional workers with at least a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent work experience) may be eligible for a Non-Immigrant visa if their employers can demonstrate that they are to be paid at least the prevailing wage for the position. J-1 and Q-1 Exchange Visitor Visas Persons coming to the U.S. in an approved exchange program may be eligible for the J-1 exchange visitor’s visa. J-1 programs often cover professors and research scholars, students, specialists, government visitors, short-term scholars, business trainees, teachers, international visitors, au pairs, and camp counselors. Two year- residence requirement & waiver: In some cases, participation in a J-1 program will be coupled with the requirement that the beneficiary spends at least two years outside of the U.S. Before being allowed to change to a different Non-Immigrant visa or to apply for permanent residency while in the U.S. Our firm is also experienced in filing waivers of the 2-year residency requirement. Q visas are for persons seeking temporary employment in a culturally unique program or private enterprise. L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visas L-1 visas are available to executives, managers, and specialized knowledge employees transferring to their employer’s U.S. affiliate, parent, or subsidiary. Executives and managers holding L-1 visas may be eligible for permanent residency without the need for a labor certification. O-1 Extraordinary Ability Worker Visas The O-1 category is open to foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in the business, entertainment, science, and athletic fields. P-1 Artists and Athletes Visas This visa category covers entertainers, artists, and professional athletes. R-1 Religious Worker Visas Religious workers may be eligible for an R-1 visa if they are a member of the religious denomination for at least two years immediately preceding their entry, are coming to work at least 20 hours per week, and are coming to perform a religious vocation or occupation. TN Status Under the North American Free Trade Agreement A special category has been set up for nationals of Canada and Mexico under the provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) who seek to be employed in the U.S. in certain categories designated under the treaty.