Each year, Berardi Immigration Law assists hundreds of individuals and corporations with professional transfers to the United States from around the globe. Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the U.S. for work must first obtain either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence.

• Nonimmigrant status allows a person to enter the U.S. for a limited period of time.
• These visa categories generally require an employer to first file a paper-based, nonimmigrant petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
• The foreign national may then use an approved petition to apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
• Upon issuance of the visa into the applicant’s passport, the employee may then enter the U.S. to work for the sponsoring employer.

Certain nonimmigrant categories (L-1 and TN) allow Canadian citizens to apply in-person for temporary work status at a Class A port-of-entry to the U.S. Upon approval, a work permit is issued on-the-spot and the Canadian may begin employment in the U.S. that same day.