Some things to know about U.S. Immigration Law:
Applying for a Visa
Legal entry to the U.S. usually requires a non-immigrant visa, immigrant visa, or some other valid entry document. Here is a partial list of non-immigrant visas, allowing entry for a limited duration:
Purpose of Travel Visa Category
Athlete B-1
Au pair (exchange visitor) J
Border crossing card (Mexico) BCC
Business visitor B-1
Crewmember D
Diplomat, foreign government official A
Domestic employee or nanny B-1
Employee of designated international organization G-1 - G-5, NATO
Exchange visitor J
Foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S. A-2, NATO 1-6
Foreign national with certain extraordinary ability O
International cultural exchange visitor Q
Intra-company transferee L
Medical treatment visitor B-2
Media, journalist I
NAFTA professional worker (Mexico, Canada) TN/TD
Performing artist, entertainer P
Physician J, H-1B
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) J
Religious worker R
Specialty occupations (highly specialized knowledge) H-1B
Student: academic, vocational F, M
Temporary agricultural worker H-2A
Temporary worker performing other services H-2B
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor B-2
Training in program not primarily for employment H-3
Treaty trader, treaty investor E
Transiting the U.S. C
Victim of criminal activity U
Victim of human trafficking T
The type of visa needed is determined by the purpose of the person’s intended travel and a variety of other facts. Each type of visa is complicated, with its own requirements and conditions — like a maze with its own twists and turns. When you apply for a visa, why not be guided by someone with the best perspective — someone who can see from above all the twists and turns? We help guide people step-by-step toward their goal.
For many people, the goal is to stay in the U.S. permanently. And to stay in the U.S. permanently, a person must apply for a Green Card. The visa process is overseen by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") and/or the U.S. Department of State, both of which are parts of the U.S. Government. When the U.S. Government decides to issue or not issue a visa — or deals with the many other matters it is called upon to decide — the decisions are made by human beings, not by robots. They are persuaded by the types of facts and supporting documents that you and I would find persuasive. That is part of the reason why clients who help their lawyers gather more than the bare minimum have chances of success greater than the clients who don’t. And the best results occur when clients and lawyers work together as a team.