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The United States government issues a variety of different types of temporary employment visas to allow foreign nationals to live and work in Bolingbrook and elsewhere throughout the U.S. Some visas allow entry for a very limited time and purpose while others are broader in scope and can be renewed almost indefinitely.

When a worker receives a temporary employment visa, often dependent spouses and children may also be granted a related visa.

Requirements vary depending on the type of visa, but in most cases, the employer needs to file a nonimmigrant petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The employer may also need to obtain certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Workers entering the U.S. on Bolingbroke temporary employment visas must comply with the terms of the visa and obey immigration laws. Failure to do so could lead to removal. Reach out to an experienced attorney today.

Broad Types of Temporary Employment Visas

USCIS records list numerous different nonimmigrant employment visas and contain specific requirements for each type of visa. Temporary employment visas in Bolingbrook may be divided into general categories:

  • Treaty traders and investors
  • Seasonal agricultural workers
  • Intracompany transferees
  • Individuals with “extraordinary ability” in the arts, business, sciences, athletics, or movie and TV industry (and their assistants)
  • Performers
  • Athletes
  • Members of the press and information media
  • Other temporary workers

Within each broad classification, USCIS may issue a variety of visa types. For instance, entertainers may be issued visas in the P-1B, P-2, or P-3 categories and their dependents may receive visas in the P-4 category.

The Effect of Treaties on Nonimmigrant Employment Visas

Certain visa types are available only to foreign nationals from countries with whom the U.S. has a specific treaty. The North American Free Trade Agreement, often referred to as NAFTA, enables professionals from Mexico and Canada to enter the U.S. to engage in business activities on a temporary basis with a TN visa. The process of applying differs for Mexican and Canadian citizens.

Treaty trader and treaty investor visas are available to nationals from more than 50 countries that have entered into commerce and navigation treaties with the U.S. The State Department maintains a list of the applicable countries and the types of visas available to residents of those nations.

Petitions from Employers

Most Bolingbrook nonimmigrant employment visas require the employer to file a visa petition with USCIS. Individuals from treaty countries who are entering the U.S. to engage in trade or invest in a business as treaty traders or treaty investors do not need a petition from an employer to apply for a visa. Similarly, professionals from NAFTA countries entering on a TN visa do not need an employer petition to work in the U.S.

For other types of temporary work visas, the employer needs to file a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker with USCIS on behalf of a prospective employee. After USCIS approves the petition, the worker may apply for a visa. The visa application process varies depending on the embassy or consulate involved. Many applications may now be submitted online.

Assistance with Bolingbrook Temporary Employment Visas

Both employers and employees often find it helpful to consult an experienced immigration lawyer when applying for Bolingbrook temporary employment visas. A visa attorney could also assist you by investigating a delay or resolving a problem after a petition or application has been submitted.

When certification is needed from the U.S. Department of Labor, the employer must be prepared to show that the region lacks workers who are able, willing, and qualified to perform the work required. Often certification is the first step in the process of obtaining any type of employment visa, even temporary employment visas. To learn more about your options, call today.

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