Employment Based Non-Immigrant Visas
H-1B Visas
H-1B visas are for those who are filling specialty occupations that require a degree or the equivalent experience. It is for temporary work in the United States and the foreign national employee must work for the employer who sponsored. An H-1B is renewable for up to 6 years. It may be possible for you apply for an employment based immigrant visa from an H-1B. If the immigrant visa petition is approved, you can renew your H-1B in 3 year increments until an immigrant visa is available. Derivative visas are available for H-1B visa holder’s dependants but the dependants cannot work. However, they may attend school.
Intra-Company Transferee L-1A and B
If you are a foreign national who works for a company that has a presence in the United States as a parent company, subsidiary, or branch, you may enter the United States as a transferee of that company. For example, if you are a German national who works for BMW in Germany and you are to be transferred to BMW in the United States in either a managerial, executive, or technical advisor, this visa would be available to you. Initially, a L-1A or B holder is granted a 3 year length of stay. Below is an explanation of L-1A and L-1B visas:
L-1A: Executive or manager with a maximum duration of stay of 7 years
L-1B : Position of specialized knowledge with a maximum duration of stay of 5 years
You must have worked for that company for at least one year before coming into the United States on either L-1A or B.
NAFTA (TN Visa)
This visa is for Canadian and Mexican nationals who are engaged in employment and activities at a professional level. A TN visa is valid for 1 year and may be renewed multiple times. Self employment is forbidden. Also, a derivative visa called a TD visa is available for dependents of TN visa holders.