There is a variety of employment based options available to businesses interested in hiring a non-US worker. Depending on the nature of the position offered, education and professional background of the foreign national, and the availability of local candidates; US businesses may choose to hire, transfer, and/or retain talent from various countries around the world.
We work with small businesses, medium and large companies, Fortune 500 and multinational organizations across the globe to meet their US immigration needs.
Non-immigrant Workers
- Professionals possessing bachelor’s degree or higher
- Management Trainees
- Intra-company transfer of managers, executives, and persons with specialized knowledge from foreign company
- Internationally acclaimed scientists, artists, performers, athletes, and business people
- Nurses
- Skilled and Unskilled Workers (Seasonal)
- Agricultural Workers
- Entertainment Groups and Performers
- Athletes
- Religious Workers
Types of Visas
- E - International Traders and Investors
- H - Temporary Workers
- L - Intracompany Transferees
- O - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability
- P - Entertainers and Athletes
- Q - Participants in International Exchange Programs
- R - Religious Workers
E-1 (Treaty Trader) and E-2 (Treaty Investor)
Foreign nationals who are interested in investing in long-term business ventures in the United States can quality for an E-1 or E-2 visa. if they are citizens or nationals of treaty countries who have entered into treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States.
H-1B Specialty Occupations
Foreign professionals can quality for an H-1B visa if they possess specialized knowledge for an occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of highly specialized knowledge. In addition, they are required to have a US bachelor’s degree (or higher degree) or its equivalent in a specific major related to the specialty occupation.
H-1C Nurses in Health Professional Shortage Areas
Foreign nurses can enter the United States under an H-1C visa to specifically work in medically underserved areas in the country for an initial period of 3-years. In order to qualify for an H-1C visa, nurses must have completed a nursing degree and be licensed to practice in their home country, and passed exams conducted by the Commission on Graduated of Foreign Nursing Schools and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for in-state licensing.
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
Foreign agricultural workers can work on a seaosonal or temporary basis (depending on need) with an agricultural employer (i.e. farmer) if there are no available and/or willing domestic workers.
H-2B Seasonal Worker: Skilled and Unskilled
Non-agricultural foreign workers may be employed under the H-2B program when the employer requires employees for a temporary period of time. Typically employment or labor conditions are seasonal (i.e. construction) and intermittent depending on the employers needs.
H-3 Temporary Trainee
Foreign nationals can qualify for the H-3 visa program if they are entering the US temporarily to participate in a highly structured training program in the US. The H-3 visa option is usually applied by large companies who rotate management trainees from their overseas entities.
H-4 Dependents
The spouse and child of an H-visa holder can enter the United States as dependents of H-visa holder. H-4 visa holders are not authorized to work in the United States.
L-1A Executive and Managers
Typically used by international companies with offices in both the home country and the US or foreign companies with the intention of opening a new branch/subsidiary in the US while maintaining their home company interests. Executive and managerial workers are transferred to the US-based offices (or for newly set-up entities) after being employed by the related foreign company abroad for at least one-year within the three years before filing the application for L-1 status.
L-1B Specialized Knowledge
Foreign nationals with specialized knowledge can relocate (or transfer) to the corporation’s US-based offices after being employed by the related foreign company abroad for at least one year prior to being granted L-1 status.
L-2 Spouse or child
The spouse and child of an L-visa holder can enter the United States as dependents in L-2 visa status. L-2 visa holders can work in the US with employment authorization from USCIS.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
Foreign nationals who can demonstrate international acclaim and recognitions for achievements in sciences, education, art, business, or athletics can qualify for an O-1 visa. Extensive documentation is required to establish that the individuals in questions have a demonstrated record of excellence and extraordinary accomplishment
P-1 Individual or Team Athletes or Entertainers
Foreign nationals who are athletes, international renowned artists and performers, circus performers, and entertainers seeking entry into the United States to perform at a specific event, competition or performance can quality for P-1 visa status.
Q-1 Cultural Exchange Visitor
Under the Q-1 visa, foreign nationals can participate in an international cultural program in addition to engaging in practical training and employment as long as they also share the history, culture, and traditions of their home country in the United States. Q-1 participants must meet the training or employment requirements of the “qualified cultural exchange program.”
R-1 Religious Workers
Religious workers are eligible for a visa if they have been a member of a religious denomination having bona fide non-profit religious organization in the US. In addition, the foreign national is required to have been a memeber of the denomination for two years immediately preceding the application. IN order to qualify as a religious worker, the foreign national must intend to carry on religious work or work in a religious occupation (i.e. minister, missionary, worship leader etc.) for the denomination or for an oganization affiliated with the denomination.
NAFTA - North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) allows Mexican and Canadian citizens to work in a professional occupation in the United States, as long as the applicant meets the necessary requirements (i.e. job description)
For more information as to how Greene & Associates, LLC can assist you or your organization, please call our office at 704-525-9221 to schedule a consultation or e-mail info@greeneimmigration.com for additional information.
