Do You Want to Work in the United States? Be Sure to Check All Visa Options!

Foreign nationals who wish to work in the United States need to receive authorization from the U.S. Immigration Service.  It is important to get legal assistance to sort through the different visa options available.  The H-1B is a popular visa to employ foreign nationals, as it allows professionals with a bachelor’s degree to work in the U.S.  Unfortunately, the 65,000 cap on H-1Bs during this Fiscal Year was reached on April 1, 2015 (the first day of filing), and no other H-1B visas can be issued until October 1, 2016.

L-1, E-1, and E-2 are other advantageous visas to consider.  The L-1 is available to a foreign national coming to work in the U.S. if the company has an office abroad, and the employee meets the requirements.  An L-1 may even be used to come to the U.S. to open a new office.  For many L-1s there’s a corresponding Green Card option, and a spouse may also obtain work authorization.

If the foreign national wishes to start a new business in the U.S., then the E-1 or E-2 may be suitable alternatives.  These visas are for nationals of a country with which the U.S. maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation.  Spouses may also obtain work authorization.  For an E-1, there must be sizable and continuous international trade.  If a foreign company or person makes an investment in a company in the U.S., the E-2 may be used instead.  It’s also available for employees if they will be employed by the investing company in a supervisory, executive, or highly specialized skills capacity.

Therefore, familiarity with the full spectrum of visas is essential, because individuals may meet the requirements for more than one.  However, one visa will typically be better suited to an individual’s specific circumstances, and a proper assessment is crucial prior to proceeding.

For information on the immigration services offered by Savitz Law Offices, P.C. visit www.ImmigrationOptions.com.  Send questions via E-mail to BSavitz@ImmigrationOptions.com or call 617-723-7111.  The office is located at 6 Beacon Street, Suite 900, Boston, MA 02108.