A nonimmigrant visa is meant to grant a foreigner with limited time to stay in the United States. Whatever your intention is for wanting to visit the country, you must prove to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that it is a temporary plan. That is, you must promise to return to your home country or last country of residence at the established expiration of your visa. Now, a nonimmigrant visa is an umbrella term for multiple visa types. With that said, please continue reading to learn the different options for nonimmigrant visas and how one of the experienced family based immigration lawyers at Lupton Law LLC can help you determine which type is most appropriate for you to apply for.
What are the different options for nonimmigrant visas?
As per the United States Immigration and Nationality Act, there are several classes for temporary admission into the country. A general list of the observed nonimmigrant classes is as follows:
- Temporary work in an eligible United States workplace.
- Temporary study at a participating United States educational institution.
- Temporary work as a diplomat, government official, or other representative.
- Temporary tourism in the United States for pleasure purposes.
- Temporary tourism in the United States for business purposes.
- Temporary stay for transit aliens, commuter students, alien fiancés, crewmembers, crime victims, etc.
Is it easier to get a nonimmigrant visa instead of an immigrant visa?
In a way, it is arguably easier to get a nonimmigrant visa than an immigrant visa. This is because, with a nonimmigrant visa, there is the presumption that you do not intend to seek citizenship or permanent resident status next. However, should you find yourself in a position where you wish to turn your visit to the United States into an indefinite stay, you must take the formal steps toward applying for an immigrant visa. In other words, you should not misuse your nonimmigrant visa.
You must understand that entering the United States is contingent on the specific purposes prescribed by your nonimmigrant class of admission. For example, say that you were granted a business tourism visa. With this, you cannot engage in any unauthorized employment activities. Or worse, you cannot accept an offer for full-time, permanent employment at a United States employer. If you are caught doing so, you may be stripped of your business tourism visa. Further, you may be subjected to removal proceedings and receive the ultimate consequence of being barred from reentering the United States indefinitely.
If you think now is the time to get started on your immigration application, then please reach out to one of the skilled family-based immigration lawyers. Our team at Lupton Law LLC is well-equipped to take on your case.
