NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

VISITING THE UNITED STATES FOR A FEW WEEKS OR A FEW YEARS CAN OFTEN BE A COMPLICATED AND OVERWHELMING EXPERIENCE. NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS INCLUDE ALL CATEGORIES OF TEMPORARY VISAS TO THE UNITED STATES. MANY OF THESE VISAS CAN BE EXTENDED OR RENEWED, AS APPROPRIATE.

VISITOR VISAS
B-1 VISITORS ENTER THE UNITED STATES FOR BUSINESS PURPOSES, AND B-2 VISITORS ENTER FOR PLEASURE. BOTH TYPES OF VISITORS TYPICALLY ARE ADMITTED FOR A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS. VISITORS FROM CERTAIN COUNTRIES MAY ALSO ENTER UNDER THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM. THOSE ENTERING UNDER THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM ARE ADMITTED FOR ONLY 90 DAYS. OUR ATTORNEYS CAN ASSIST VISITORS IN SUBMITTING THE STRONGEST POSSIBLE APPLICATION TO THEIR LOCAL CONSULATE OR EMBASSY.

STUDENT VISAS
FOREIGN STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STUDYING IN THE UNITED STATES MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DETERMINE HOW TO START THE PROCESS, WHETHER THEY ARE IN THE UNITED STATES ALREADY OR WISH TO ENTER WITH A STUDENT VISA. STUDENT VISAS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE WHO WISH TO STUDY IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT THEY MUST COMPLY WITH SPECIFIC RULES. AS LONG AS THEY REMAIN IN COMPLIANCE WITH THESE RULES, THEY TYPICALLY MAY REMAIN IN THE U.S. UNTIL COMPLETION OF THEIR PROGRAM OF STUDY AND OFTEN QUALIFY FOR A PERIOD OF PRACTICAL TRAINING EITHER DURING OR AFTER THEIR COURSE OF STUDY. OUR ATTORNEYS CAN ASSIST IN OBTAINING STUDENT STATUS, CHANGING SCHOOLS TO ANOTHER UNIVERSITY, REINSTATING LOST STUDENT STATUS, AND REQUESTING OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING.
    
FIANCE(E) PETITIONS
PLANNING A WEDDING IS USUALLY ONE OF THE MOST COMPLICATED SITUATIONS IN A PERSON'S LIFE, BUT WHEN COMBINED WITH THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS, IT CAN SOMETIMES FEEL IMPOSSIBLE. THE ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC CAN HELP MAKE THAT PROCESS SMOOTHER. OUR FIRM HAS EXPERIENCE IN PREPARING THE APPLICATION, INCLUDING PREPARING OUR CLIENTS TO PROVE THE LEGITIMACY OF THE RELATIONSHIP BOTH WITH USCIS AND THE CONSULATE OR EMBASSY ABROAD.
    
DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS
ALSO KNOWN AS DACA, THIS NEWLY INSTITUTED PROGRAM ASSISTS PEOPLE WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES ON OR BEFORE JUNE 15, 2007 AS CHILDREN LEGALIZE THEIR STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES IF THEY MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA. OUR ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC HAVE SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED AND ARE NOW RENEWING DACA STATUS FOR NUMEROUS CLIENTS AND ARE EAGER TO SPEAK TO YOU IF YOU FEEL YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE.

H-1B SPECIALTY OCCUPATION VISAS
THE H-1B VISA IS A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA. IT ALLOWS U.S. EMPLOYERS TO EMPLOY HIGHLY SKILLED FOREIGN PROFESSIONALS IN A POSITION FOR WHICH THERE IS A SHORTAGE OF AVAILABLE AND QUALIFIED U.S. WORKERS. H-1B VISA GIVES THE FOREIGN WORKERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THREE YEARS WHICH CAN BE LATER EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER THREE YEARS (TOTAL OF SIX CONSECUTIVE YEARS) ALONG WITH THEIR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN. THE SPOUSE AND CHILDREN OF THE H-1B VISA HOLDER, HOWEVER, CANNOT WORK IN THE UNITED STATES WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THEIR OWN H-1B VISA.
FOREIGN WORKERS MUST POSSESS AT LEAST A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR ITS EQUIVALENT IN A FIELD CLOSELY RELATED TO THE PROFESSION TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR H-1B VISA. THE NUMBER OF H-1B VISAS ISSUED EACH YEAR IS SUBJECT TO AN ANNUAL CAP OF 65,000 VISAS THAT ARE MADE AVAILABLE TO U.S. EMPLOYERS.
EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC WILL ASSIST WITH YOU IN EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING H-1B VISA/STATUS FOR YOUR EMPLOYEE(S).

EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY VISAS
O-1 IS A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA FOR ALIENS WHO HAVE EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY IN THE SCIENCES, ARTS (INCLUDING THE TELEVISION AND MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY), EDUCATION, BUSINESS, OR ATHLETICS WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED BY SUSTAINED NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND WHOSE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED IN THE FIELD THROUGH EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION. O-1 PETITIONS MAY ONLY BE FILED BY A US EMPLOYER OR AGENT. THE INITIAL PERIOD OF STAY IS UP TO THREE YEARS WHICH CAN BE EXTENDED ONE YEAR AT A TIME IF NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE INITIAL EVENT OR ACTIVITY. THE O-1 VISA IS HIGHLY SCRUTINIZED BY THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION NEED TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS CATEGORY. EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC WILL ASSIST YOU IN GATHERING THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
    
EXCHANGE VISITOR VISAS
THESE VISAS ARE FOR PEOPLE APPROVED TO PARTICIPATE IN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES; ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS INCLUDE AU PAIRS, CAMP COUNSELORS, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, SUMMER WORK, DOCTORS, PROFESSORS, AND TEACHERS. SOME OF THESE TYPES OF VISITORS ARE SUBJECT TO THE TWO-YEAR HOME-COUNTRY PHYSICAL PRESENCE (FOREIGN RESIDENCE) REQUIREMENT. THIS MEANS YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO RETURN TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY FOR TWO YEARS AT THE END OF YOUR EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS EXCHANGE VISITOR VISAS, OR POTENTIAL WAIVERS OF THE TWO-YEAR RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT, OUR ATTORNEYS ARE READY TO HELP YOU.

TN VISAS
THE TN VISA ALLOWS CITIZENS OF CANADA AND MEXICO TO WORK IN THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TREATY (NAFTA). HOWEVER, ONLY CERTAIN POSITIONS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TN. TN VISA APPLICANT MUST ALSO HAVE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR APPROPRIATE CREDENTIALS DEMONSTRATING STATUS AS A PROFESSIONAL. THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A TN VISA MAY BE GRANTED A TEMPORARY NON-IMMIGRANT TN VISA TO STAY AND WORK IN THE UNITED STATES FOR THE PERIOD OF UP TO THREE YEARS WHICH CAN BE EXTENDED.
IF YOU ARE A CITIZEN OF MEXICO OR CANADA AND HAVE A JOB OFFICE FROM A U.S. EMPLOYER, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A TN VISA. ATTORNEYS AT LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC WILL EVALUATE YOUR CASE AND ASSIST YOU IN OBTAINING A TN VISA.

O-1 VISAS
O-1 IS A NON-IMMIGRANT VISA FOR ALIENS WHO HAVE EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY IN THE SCIENCES, ARTS (INCLUDING THE TELEVISION AND MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY), EDUCATION, BUSINESS, OR ATHLETICS WHICH HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED BY SUSTAINED NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL ACCLAIM AND WHOSE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED IN THE FIELD THROUGH EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION. O-1 PETITIONS MAY ONLY BE FILED BY A US EMPLOYER OR AGENT. THE INITIAL PERIOD OF STAY IS UP TO THREE YEARS WHICH CAN BE EXTENDED ONE YEAR AT A TIME IF NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH THE INITIAL EVENT OR ACTIVITY.
O-1 VISA IS HIGHLY SCRUTINIZED BY THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION NEED TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THIS CATEGORY. EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC WILL ASSIST YOU IN GATHERING THE NECESSARY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND HELP YOU THROUGHOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

INTRA-COMPANY TRANSFEREES (L)
THE L VISA IS A TEMPORARY NON-IMMIGRANT VISA THAT ALLOWS EMPLOYERS/COMPANIES TO RELOCATE ESSENTIAL MANAGERS AND HIGHLY SKILLED ESSENTIAL WORKERS FROM OVERSEAS TO WORK TEMPORARILY IN THEIR U.S. SUBSIDIARY OR PARENT COMPANY. TO QUALIFY FOR L-1 VISA, YOU MUST HAVE WORKED FOR A SUBSIDIARY, PARENT, OR BRANCH OFFICE OF THE EMPLOYER COMPANY FOR AT LEAST ONE YEAR OUT OF THE LAST THREE YEARS.
OUR EXPERIENCED ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC WILL HELP YOU TRANSFER/RELOCATE YOUR ESSENTIAL EMPLOYEES TO THE UNITED STATES BY ASSISTING THEM IN OBTAINING AN L-1 VISA.

J-1 VISA & WAIVER
EXCHANGE VISITOR (J-1) VISAS ARE NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS FOR INDIVIDUALS APPROVED TO PARTICIPATE IN EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAMS IN THE UNITED STATES. YOU MAY OBTAIN A J-1 VISA THROUGH A DEPARTMENT OF STATE APPROVED SPONSOR PROGRAM AND TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES TO TEACH, STUDY, PERFORM INTERNSHIP OR RECEIVE TRAINING. IN ORDER TO OBTAIN A J-1 VISA, YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR THE VISA AT A UNITED STATES EMBASSY OR CONSULATE ABROAD. THE GRANTING OF THE J-1 VISA IS OFTEN CONDITIONED ON YOU RETURNING TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (USUALLY 2 YEARS) BEFORE BEING PERMITTED TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES AGAIN IN ANY OTHER STATUS. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE LAW ALLOWS YOU TO APPLY FOR A WAIVER OF THE TWO-YEAR HOME COUNTRY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OBTAINING A J-1 VISA OR NEED TO WAIVE THE TWO-YEAR HOME COUNTRY RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT, ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC CAN ASSIST YOU.

U VISAS
IMMIGRANTS CAN BE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO CRIMES LIKE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND ABUSE. THIS IS OFTEN BECAUSE IMMIGRANTS HAVE A LANGUAGE BARRIER, ARE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND OTHER TYPES OF SUPPORT, CULTURAL DIFFERENCES, AND A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF UNITED STATES CRIMINAL AND IMMIGRATION LAWS. IMMIGRATION LAWS HAVE BEEN CREATED TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF SERIOUS CRIMES SO THAT THEY MAY REMAIN IN THE UNITES STATES TO ASSIST IN THE PROSECUTION OF THOSE CRIMES. ATTORNEYS AT THE LAW OFFICE OF JAMES A ROBERTS, PLLC ARE EXTREMELY SENSITIVE TO THESE TYPES OF MATTERS AND HELP VICTIMS THROUGH THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS WITH AS MUCH EASE AS POSSIBLE.