Visas
At The Shapiro Law Firm, our experienced immigration attorneys are committed to guiding you through every step of your immigration journey. Discover how we can assist you in achieving your immigration goals with confidence.
Understanding Entry Visas: Types, Requirements, and Process
When you are looking for an “immigration lawyer near me” the Shapiro Law Firm is conveniently located just steps away from NYC’s Charging Bull in the heart of New York’s financial district. Our experienced entry visa attorneys have helped thousands of clients locally, nationally and internationally.
What is a Visa?
A visa usually appears as a stamp in the applicant’s passport and gives the nonimmigrant certain privileges, most importantly, the right to request entry into the United States. Our NYC based visa attorneys have successfully obtained thousands of visas for clients spanning all different visa categories.
Where is a Visa issued?
A visa stamp can only be issued at a U.S. embassy or a consulate in another country. People who are already in the United States can gain immigration privileges by applying to adjust their status without getting a matching visa first; and thus, without leaving the U.S. Different privileges come with different visas, so the ability to adjust status depends upon the type of visa and the length of time that the visa-holder has been in the U.S.
What is the difference between an Immigrant and a Nonimmigrant Visa?
An Immigrant Visa gives someone to request the right to enter the U.S. permanently, whereas a Nonimmigrant Visa gives a holder the right to request entry into the Untied States for limited time period.
Explore Your Visa Options
Navigating immigration can be complex. We’re here to simplify that journey for you. At The Shapiro Law Firm, we specialize in various visa options, including E-2 Visas and Marriage-Based Green Cards. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized legal services that guide you every step of the way. Let us help you find the best path for your situation and provide the support you need.
The Two Different Types of Immigration Visas
The two main categories of U.S. visas are Non Immigration visas and Immigration visas.
Non Immigrant Visas
The purpose of non immigration visas is for foreign nationals to travel temporarily to the United States. There can be multiple reasons why a foreign national would want to travel to the U.S. including tourism, business, medical treatment, study of other related reasons or an E2 Visa to operate a business in the U.S.
Immigration Visas
Immigration visas are issued to foreign nationals when the intention is to remain in the U.S. permanently. Most often a relative or an employer sponsors the individual by submitting an application with USCIS. Immigration visas are the path to permanent residency in the U.S.
What are the types of non immigration visas?
Immigration law in the United States allows for a variety of visas and classifications, each with its own unique set of requirements. Below is a list of nonimmigrant visas , their classifications and types.
What are the types of immigration visas?
The U.S. immigration service may grant immigrant visas for employment and family reasons. Below is a list on immigration visas, along with classifications and types.
Types of Nonimmigrant Visas
Employment Based
H1-B Specialty Occupations, DOD workers, fashion models.
H-1C Visa Nurses going to work for up to 3 years in health professional shortage areas
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
H-2B Temporary worker: skilled & unskilled
H-3 Trainee
H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3
I Visas for foreign media representatives
L-1A Intracompany Transferee: Executive, managerial
L-1B Intracompany Transferee:Specialized knowledge
L-2 Spouse or child of L-1
O-1 Workers with Extraordinary Ability: Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics
O-2 Alien’s (support) accompanying O-1
O-3 Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2
P-1 Individual, Team Athletes, or Entertainment Groups
P-2 Artists and entertainers in Reciprocal Exchange Programs
P-3 Artists & entertainers: Culturally Unique Programs
P-4 Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3
R-1 Religious workers
R-2 Spouse or child of R-1
TN Trade visas for Canadians & Mexicans
TD Spouse or child accompanying TN
Student Based
F-1 Academic Student
F-2 Spouse or child of F-1
F-3 Canadian or Mexican national commuter student in an academic or language training program
M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student
M-2 Spouse or child of M-1
- M-3 Canadian or Mexican national commuter student (Vocational student or other nonacademic student)
Aliens in Transit / Crewmember
- C-1 Alien in transit directly through U.S.
C-1D Combined transit & crewman visa
C-2 In transit to UN headquarters district under UN Headquarter Agreement §§ 11.(3), (4), or (5)
C-3 Foreign gov’t official, immediate relatives, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in transit
C-4 Transit without Visa
D-1 Crewmember departing on same vessel of arrival
D-2 Crewmember departing by means other than vessel of arrival
Exchange Visitors
J-1 Visas for exchange visitors
J-2 Spouse or child of J-1
Q-1 International cultural exchange visitors
Q-2 Irish Peace Process Cultural & Training Program (Walsh Visas)
Q-3 Spouse or child of Q-2
Crime Victims
S-5 Informant of criminal organization information
S-6 Informant of terrorism information
T-1 Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons
T-2 Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons
T-4 Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age)
U-1 Victim of Certain Criminal Activity
U-2 Spouse of U-1
U-3 Child of U-1
U-4 Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age
Family Based
K-1 Fiance(e)
K-2 Minor child of K-1
K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act)
K-4 Child of K-3 (LIFE Act)
V-1 LPR Spouse + principal beneficiary of form I-130 alien-relative petiton, filed prior to 21 Dec 2000, & has been pending for at least 3 years
V-2 LPR child + principal beneficiary of a form I-130 alien-relative petition, filed prior to 21 Dec 2000, & has been pending for at least 3 years
V-3 The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2
Treaty Trader, Spouse And Children
E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children
E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children
E-3 Certain Specialty Occupation Professionals from Australia
Tourist Visa: Business Or Pleasure
B-1 Temporary visitor for business
B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure
Foreign Government Officials
A-1 Ambassador, public minister, career, diplomatic or consular officer, & members of immediate family
A-2 Other foreign government official or employee, & members of immediate family.
A-3 Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 & A-2, & members of immediate family
G-1 Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member gov’t to int’l organization, & members of immediate family
G-2 Other representative of recognized foreign member gov’t to int’l organization, & members of immediate family
G-3 Representative of non-recognized or nonmember gov’t to int’l organization, & members of immediate family
G-4 Int’l organization officer or employee, & members of immediate family
Types of Immigrant Visas
Family Based
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) allows the immigration of foreigners to the United States based on relationship to a U.S. Citizen. Family-based Immigrant Visas fall under two categories: UNLIMITED and LIMITED.
Amount of Visas Available Per Year: Unlimited
IR – Immediate Relatives: Do NOT have to wait in line for a visa to be come available!
If you are related to the petitioning U.S. Citizen family member in 1 of the following ways, then you are an Immediate Relative:
Spouse;
Unmarried Child Under 21, or;
Parent (if U.S. Citizen is over the age of 21).
Amount of Visas Available Per Year: Limited
F1 – 1st Preference:
Unmarried sons & daughters of U.S. citizens, &;
Children of unmarried sons & daughters of U.S. Citizens.
F-2 – 2nd Preference:
Spouses of Permanent Residents;
Minor children of Permanent Residents, and;
Unmarried sons & daughters of Permanent Residents.
F-3 – 3rd Preference:
Married sons & daughters of U.S. citizens,;
Children of married sons & daughers of U.S. Citizens, &;
Spouses of married sons & daughters of U.S. Citizens.
F-4 – 4th Preference:
Siblings (brothers & sisters) of U.S. citizens;
Children of siblings of U.S. Citizens (age 21 or older), &;
Spouses of siblings of U.S. Citizens (age 21 or older).
Employment Based
Unlike the Family-based Immigrant Visa process, the Employment-based Immigrant Visa process does not begin with the filing of an Immigrant Visa petition. Instead, the Beneficiary’s Employer must undergo additional steps in regards to job recruitment with the U.S. Department of Labor first. These steps must take place within strict time periods and can vary depending on the type of visa applying for and/ or the type of job sought. Contact us today to find out if you qualify for an Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, and if so, what the application process will look like for you.
F1 – 1st Preference:
Workers of Extraordinary Ability
Outstanding University Professors or Researchers
Executives or Managers of Multinational Companies
F-2 – 2nd Preference:
Professionals with Advanced Degrees
Exceptional Ability in the Sciences, Arts or Business
F-3 – 3rd Preference:
Professional Workers
Skilled Workers
Unskilled Workers
F-4 – 4th Preference:
Special Immigrants
Religious Workers
Former U.S. Government Workers
Children Dependent on U.S. Foster Care
Investor / Entrepreneur Visa
EB-5 – 5th Preference:
Investors Willing to Invest a Minimum of $1,000,000 in a new U.S. Business that will Create Jobs ($500,000 if the business is located in an economically depressed location)
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition
Unfortunately, immigrants who become victims of Domestic Violence are often afraid to report the incidents to the police because of their immigration status. If you are the victim of Domestic Violence and you are the spouse, child or parent of an abusive U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, you may be able to file for a Green Card on your own behalf with a VAWA self-petition without the abuser’s knowledge. In order to do so, you must establish the following:
Qualifying Relationship = U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident abuser’s:
Spouse;
Parent, or;
Child
Resided with Abuser;
Good Moral Character, AND;
Victim of Battery or Extreme Cruelty.
Diversity Lottery Visa
Every year up to 50,000 Diveristy Immigrant Visas (DV) are made avaiable to individuals from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.. All eligible individuals are placed into a single drawing and are selected at random until the alotted number of visas for that year is reached. DVs are distributed among 6 different geographic regions and no single country may receive more than 7% of available DVs in a single year.
What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens and nationals from certain countries to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days for the purpose of business or pleasure without having to first obtain a visa. However, before you can travel to the U.S., you must first have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval. VWP allows you to engage in the same activities for business or pleasure as you would with a B1/B2 Visitor Visa. However, there are some notable distinctions. For example, if you are a VWP violator and are placed in Removal Proceedings, you will be placed in “Asylum only” Removal Proceedings, and thus are not entitled to other avenues of relief from removal.
Common Questions
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about visa applications.
Applying for a visa typically involves several steps. First, you’ll need to gather the required documentation such as your passport, application forms, and proof of purpose for your visit. Next, you may need to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. It’s advisable to check specific requirements based on the visa type you’re applying for. We recommend consulting with our legal team to help streamline your application process.
The length of the visa process can vary based on several factors. Some applications may be processed within a few weeks, while others can take several months. Factors include the type of visa, the volume of applications at the processing center, and whether additional information is requested. Always check the most current processing times on the official U.S. government website or consult with our firm for the latest updates.
Commonly required documents include a valid passport, completed visa application forms, proof of financial means, and any supporting documents relevant to your visa type. This may also include an invitation letter, employment verification, or proof of family connections in the U.S. It’s crucial to ensure all documents are accurate and up-to-date to avoid delays in your application.
Yes, if your visa application is denied, there may be an option to appeal the decision. The appeal process will depend on the specific reasons for your denial and the type of visa you applied for. It’s advisable to consult with our legal team to review your situation and decide the best course of action.
A visa waiver program allows citizens from certain countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa. Participants must meet specific criteria and apply through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling. If you think you qualify, our lawyers can guide you through the process.
If your visa is nearing expiration, it’s essential to act quickly. Depending on your situation, you might apply for an extension or change your visa status. There are strict deadlines, so contacting our law firm for personalized guidance is highly recommended.
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