Visas are the documents issued to foreign nationals that grant them the ability to enter the U.S. and usually dictate the amount of time they are allowed to stay in the U.S. in legal status. The process of obtaining a visa is dependent on the types of visa sought.
Most commonly, visas are awarded for skilled laborers or students, with most visas being in the "nonimmigrant" category, or granting legal status in the U.S. for a defined amount of time.
The most typical visas are usually:
- F, or student visas, granted to students who wish to study in the U.S. and their spouses
- B visas for temporary visitors, domestic employees, or those seeking medical treatment
- E visas for entrepreneurs and investors of treaty countries
- Employment visas, such as the H for specialty occupations requiring specialized knowledge, and L visas for intracompany transferees
- O visas for aliens of extraordinary ability in business or the arts
There are also visas available for victims of human trafficking (T visas) and victims of criminal activity (U visas).
In addition to nonimmigrant options, there are several immigrant visas available to foreign nationals, which grant them permanent stay in the U.S. In particular, there are several investor visa categories available for those seeking to invest in the U.S.
The Process Of Obtaining A Visa
To get a visa, you must be able to provide documentary evidence of your eligibility. However, the requirements are vastly different for each visa category. A skilled lawyer can work with you to determine both the best visa for your situation, but also the type of evidence that needs to be shown, so that you don't waste hundreds if not thousands of dollars on unnecessary government fees and months of your life waiting for a response.
Contact Us
Reach out to our Naples, Florida, office to speak to a skilled attorney and determine your best course of action. Call 239-449-6202 or complete our online contact form to schedule your consultation.