Forget H-1B Visa, EB-5 is the best bet to shift to the US; check other options

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Forget H-1B Visa, EB-5 is the best bet to shift to the US; check other options

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US visa tremors are affecting professionals across lines. Here's a look at the visa options offered by the US

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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OthersThere are several other visa documents that are offered for different non-immigrants visits to the US.