How to Apply for a Temporary Worker Visa
Generally speaking, a citizen of a country other than the U.S. must obtain a visa before entering the U.S. Sometimes, an immigrant visa allowing for permanent residency is sought. Other times, a person only wishes to obtain a nonimmigrant visa to permit a temporary stay in the U.S. There are many reasons a person would seek a temporary visa. Often, it is a visa for a recreational trip to the U.S. It is also common for a person to seek a temporary visa for employment purposes. Temporary work visas are available to permit a limited stay of employment in the U.S. The specific category of work visa will vary based on occupation.
Applying for a Temporary Worker Visa
Temporary work visas permit a person to enter the U.S. for employment purposes for a set amount of time. In order to obtain a temporary work visa, a prospective employer is usually required to first file a petition, Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Some categories of temporary worker visas require the employer to undergo labor certification or some other type of approval from the Department of Labor prior to filing a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker.
The petition must be approved prior to applying for a temporary worker visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. After approval, you may go on to apply for a temporary worker visa and the steps involved may vary slightly depending on where you apply. A visa application, Form DS-160 must be completed and an interview is usually required. After filing Form DS-160, you will need to schedule an interview, usually at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. There may be wait times for scheduling an interview. There are peak seasons and locations where there are more people applying for a visa and these places and times are often subject to waiting periods.
It is important to properly prepare for your visa interview. Be sure to gather required documentation such as your passport and your nonimmigrant visa application. At the interview, a consular officer is tasked with evaluating whether or not you are qualified to receive a visa and which visa type is appropriate for your travel purpose. Additionally, digital fingerprints will be taken at the interview. After your interview, further administrative processing of your application may be necessary. Upon approval of your visa application, you will likely need to pay a visa issuance fee.
Immigration Attorney
It is often difficult to decide what type of visa is best for your situation. Beyond that, the categories within each visa type can be difficult to separate as well. Applying for the right visa will save you a great deal of time and frustration. If you have any questions about what visa is right for you or how to go about applying for a visa, Talamantes Immigration Law is here to help. We have the answers you need and provide dedicated legal advice to our clients. Talamantes Immigration Law Firm today.
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