Definitions
The beneficiary
of a visa is defined as the individual person who will receive
the visa.
The petitioner
for a visa is defined as the company in the United States for
whom the beneficiary will work.
L-1A
and L-1B Non-immigrant visa - Intra company transferee.
The L-1A
visa is intended to accommodate the intra company transfer
of a managerial/executive employee from an overseas company
to a United States affiliated company.
The L-1B
visa is intended to accommodate the intra company transfer
of an employee possessing specialised knowledge from an overseas
company to a United States affiliated company.
E-2
Treaty investor non-immigrant visa.
The E-2
treaty investor visa is made available for persons wishing
to invest in business in the United States and thus live and
work in the United States in order to develop and direct the
business operation established by their investments.
Green
Card Permanent residency
The Alien
registration card also known as "the green card" is
the symbol of permanent resident status. Permanent resident
status is available to beneficiaries who have demonstrated
significant contributions to the economy of the United States.
H-1 & H-2
Non-immigrant specialized / seasonal visa.
The H -1B
non-immigrant visa is available to professionals in specialty
occupations who are coming to the United States to work in
their fields of expertise. Eligibility requires at least a
bachelor's degree or its equivalent in the specific field in
which the beneficiary will operate.
The H-2B
visa is available to foreign, seasonal or temporary workers
needed to fill positions for which there are insufficient numbers
of available, qualified American workers.
The cost
of a typical visa application is between $4000 and $5000 for
an L, E and H application. The reason for the band is that
the basic fee of $4000 does not include incorporation of a
US company which is usually an extra $400. INS (Immigration
and Naturalization Service) fees are also not included; these
fees are subject to change but as a guide are around $110.
The cost
of a Permanent Residency (GREEN CARD) is $5000 and does not
include INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) fees which
are subject to change but are around $225.
For Treaty
Investment Visas – see “Business
for Sale” page.
Immigration
to the US is a complex issue and we rely on the services and
expertise of our immigration department. If you wish to discuss
any of these issues is detail, please contact us.
