Additional Non Immigrant Visas

The L‑1A and L‑1B visas are temporary work visas for intracompany transferees who either hold managerial/executive roles or possess specialized knowledge. They allow a qualifying foreign company to transfer key employees to a U.S. parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary.

The L‑1A visa is for managers and executives. To qualify, the employee must:

• Have worked for a qualifying related organization outside the U.S. for at least one continuous year within the three years before admission;
• Come to the U.S. to work in a managerial or executive capacity for the same employer or a qualifying affiliate.

The L‑1B visa is for employees who have specialized knowledge of the company’s products, services, processes, research, systems, or management. The employee must:

• Likewise have worked for a qualifying related organization abroad for at least one continuous year within the preceding three years;
• Come to the U.S. to provide services requiring that specialized knowledge for the same employer or a qualifying affiliate.

For more detailed regulatory definitions of “specialized knowledge,” applicants and employers should refer to the official USCIS guidance.

The O‑1 visa is for individuals who can show extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics through sustained national or international acclaim. To qualify, you must either have a major internationally recognized award or strong evidence that you meet at least three of the standard criteria.

Examples of qualifying evidence include:

• Significant nationally or internationally recognized prizes or awards
• Membership in elite associations that require outstanding achievements
• Major media or trade publication coverage about you and your work
• Original contributions of major significance in your field
• Authorship of scholarly articles in professional journals or major media
• A high salary or other substantial compensation compared to others in your field
• Serving as a judge of others’ work in your field or an allied field
• Working in a critical or essential role for a distinguished organization

E visa category covers treaty traders (E‑1) and treaty investors (E‑2) from countries that have a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States.

• Treaty traders (E‑1) must be coming to the U.S. to carry on substantial trade in goods, services, or technology, with the majority of that trade occurring between the United States and the treaty country.
• Treaty investors (E‑2) must be coming to direct and develop an enterprise in which they have invested, or are actively in the process of investing, a substantial amount of capital.

The P-1 visa is reserved for athletes who are coming temporarily to the U.S. to compete individually or as part of a team at an internationally recognized event.

The P-2 visa is reserved for entertainers and artists who are coming to the U.S. as part of a reciprocal exchange program between a U.S. organization and a foreign organization.

The Q visa is for individuals coming to the United States to participate in a structured international cultural exchange program approved by U.S. immigration authorities. These programs combine employment or practical training with organized cultural activities and are designed to allow participants to share the customs, history, language, and traditions of their home country with the American public in settings such as cultural institutions, theme parks, dual‑immersion or language programs, and similar venues. Participants must generally be at least 18, possess the education and qualifications needed for the program activities, and intend to return to their home country at the end of the program.

The B1 visa is for individuals temporarily visiting the United States for limited business activities, such as negotiating contracts, attending conferences, or receiving training. The B2 visa is for visitors coming for tourism or other personal, recreational purposes. Spouses and children who accompany a B1 visitor do not receive a derivative B1 status; each family member must apply separately for a B2 tourist visa.