US visa tremors are affecting professionals across lines. Here's a look at the visa options offered by the US
Tourist or business VisaTourist and business visas are the most common document required to visit the US.B-1 is meant for business associates, and scientific and educational work, besides business conventions.B-2 is for tourism, family visits, social service activities or for medical treatment.
Work VisaTo work in the US on a temporary basis, specific visas based on the type of work are issued. All applicants have to get their petition approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.H1-BH1-B Visas are for those who qualify to work in the US after taking permits from the Department of Labor and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.H-2AIt allows US employers to bring foreign nationals for temporary agricultural job in case US workers are not available.H2-BFor those looking for temporary or seasonal jobs. Indians are not eligible for it.H-3It is for freshers or professionals visiting the US to receive training in any field for a maximum period of 2 years. The trainees may get paid, but it is considered as productive employment.H-4H-4 Visa holders can take spouses and unmarried children under 21 years to stay with them. However, the spouse and children are not allowed to work.
Pay and get Green cardsEB-5 is a paid invitation to the US. It will get the investor and his immediate family a 'green card'.An investor can 'directly' start a new business and create at least 10 full-time local jobs in the US by investing $500,000; the 'indirect' route is to invest in a government-approved EB-5 project.The US issues about 10,000 individual EB-5 visas every year and India is entitled to 700 of these visas.
Executives and managersL-1 is issued to those employees who work for an international company and are identified for intra-company transfers on a temporary basis. This is meant for officials at managerial or executive levels.L-2 is for dependents -- spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of L1 visa holders. Spouses can seek employment in the US after they clear legal paperwork, but children cannot work.
For cultural tiesO Visa: These visas are offered to those with extraordinary abilities in the filed of science, education, arts, business and athletics, or extraordinary achievements in motion picture and television production.P Visa: Offered to athletes, entertainers, actors, artists, and their support personnel, who come to perform in the US.Q Visa: It is required if you are travelling to participate in international cultural programmes in the US.
Student VisaForeign citizens applying to US universities and schools are eligible to seek specific, need-based visas:F-1 Visa: Those who wish to engage in academic studies in the US. The visa is valid for 12 months.M-1 Visa: For those who seek non-academic, vocational training in the US.
Domestic worker visaDomestic helps and personal assistants can accompany their employer to the US, but have to apply for B-1 Visa. For domestic helps of foreign diplomats or other government officials A-3 or G-5 Visas are applicable.
OthersThere are several other visa documents that are offered for different non-immigrants visits to the US.