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Employment based
Permanent and temporary work immigration, for individuals and employers
Approximately 140,000 immigrant visas are available each fiscal year for people — and their spouses and children — who seek to immigrate based on their job skills.
With the right combination of skills, education and work experience, you may be able to live permanently in the United States. We support our clients’ goals across a broad spectrum of employment-based matters, including EB-1 through EB-5 and visas for non-permanent employment, tailoring the approach to each client’s needs.
Permanent employment-based visas
EB-1
Priority workers. Reserved for individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, athletics or business, demonstrated through documentation of national or international acclaim. The category also includes outstanding professors and researchers, and managers and executives of multinational corporations.
EB-2
For those with an advanced degree — anything beyond a baccalaureate — or a B.A. plus at least five years working in the profession. Also intended for individuals of exceptional ability in the sciences, business or arts.
EB-3
Skilled workers in positions requiring at least two years of training or experience, professionals requiring a baccalaureate degree, and unskilled workers filling non-temporary positions.
EB-4
A wide variety of special circumstances, such as religious ministers, certain broadcasters, former employees of the U.S. government in the Panama Canal Zone, and Iraqi and Afghan translators.
EB-5
For business investors planning to invest from $500,000 to $1 million or more in a new business that will employ a minimum of 10 U.S. workers on a full-time basis.
Visas for non-permanent employment
B-1
For temporary business visitors coming to consult with associates, negotiate contracts, take part in short-term training, attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or settle an estate.
E-1 · E-2
Citizens of countries party to treaties of trade and commerce with the United States enjoy special rights under U.S. immigration law. Visas are available for treaty traders and treaty investors who plan to conduct business here.
F-1
One of two student visas. It allows full-time attendance at a college, university, seminary, high school, elementary school or other institution, and permits on-campus work under certain circumstances and certain off-campus work after the first year.
H
Several types, including specialty occupation workers, registered nurses, seasonal agricultural workers and trainees. H visas are in high demand and the yearly allocation typically runs out quickly.
J
Exchange visitor visas, intended to promote understanding between the people of the U.S. and the rest of the world. Categories include students, physicians, au pairs, professors and trainees.
L
For intracompany transferees moving to U.S. offices of a multinational corporation — either the L-1A executive/manager or the L-1B specialized knowledge visa.
O
For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the arts, sciences, business, education or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in motion picture and television film. Allows a stay of up to three years.
P
Generally for athletes, artists, entertainers and their immediate family members, reserved for those recognized for performance at an internationally recognized level.
Q
For travel to the United States to take part in an international cultural exchange program recognized by USCIS — as distinct from the J visa, which covers programs sanctioned by the Department of State.
R-1
Certain religious workers may enter for an initial period of two and a half years, or up to five years with extensions. You must have been a member of a bona fide non-profit religious organization for at least two years and plan to work at least 20 hours per week while in the U.S.
TN
Trade NAFTA status, a temporary worker classification for individuals from the North American Free Trade Agreement countries. Workers from Mexico and Canada may be eligible provided they work in one of the listed professions and have a prearranged position of employment.
Is this your situation?
Bring us the facts and we will tell you what relief may realistically be available — and what it costs, as a flat fee.