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.
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
There are many different types of visas available for working in the United States. For more information about nonimmigrant visa categories, the petition process, eligibility requirements, and numerical limits, click on the links below.
- B-1 & B-2 Visitors for Business/Pleasure
- E-1 Treaty Traders
- E-2 Treaty Investors
- E-3 Professionals from Australia
- H-1B Professionals in Specialty Occupations
- L-1 Intracompany Transferees
- O-1 Individual of Extraordinary Achievement & Ability
- P Athletes, Artists and Entertainers
- TN NAFTA Professionals from Canada and Mexico