The United States has a long history of welcoming immigrants from all parts of the world. America values the contributions of immigrants, who continue to enrich this country and preserve its legacy as a land of freedom and opportunity. US immigration can be quite complex, but does offer a range of work permit and visa applications. At JDS Immigration Ltd. we can help you with the following immigration programs.

A B-1/B-2 visa is the most commonly used U.S. visa. The B-1/B-2 Visa is used by foreign visitors who enter the U.S. for a temporary period for business or pleasure. The process of applying for a B-1/B-2 visa involves careful preparation and strategy. In order to successfully obtain a B-1/B-2 visa it is important to present a flawless application the first time, since it becomes very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain this visa if you have previously been denied a visa.

A B-1 visa is granted to business visitors who wish to enter the U.S. for a temporary period to engage in legitimate business activities, such as meetings, consultations, conferences and negotiating contracts.

A B-2 visa is granted to visitors who wish to enter the U.S. for a temporary period to engage in tourist activities or visit families or friends.

Foreign students who wish to study in the U.S. have to apply for F-1 or M-1 visa. In order to get this visa the students must fulfill the following conditions:

• The student must be enrolled in an academic educational program, a language training program or a vocational program;
• The school must be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly known as the INS);
• The student must be enrolled as a full time student at the institution;
• The student must be proficient in English or be enrolled in courses leading to English proficiency;
• The student must have sufficient funds available for self-support during the entire proposed course of study; and
• The student must maintain a residence abroad that he or she has no intention of giving up.

The J visa is for people accepted into a cultural or educational exchange program through a designated sponsoring organization to participate in an exchange visitor program in the U.S. The J-1 visa is issued to individual who seek to enter the U.S. for a temporary period in order to serve in one of the following capacities:

• Teacher
• Professor or research scholar
• Trainee or intern
• Secondary-school teache
• College or university student
• Foreign physician
• Camp counselor, or
• Summer student in a travel/work program.

J-1 visa applicants must obtain sponsorship from an agency designated as a J-1 sponsor by the U.S. Department of State. The J-1 sponsor is the agency that communicates the Department of State requirements to the J-1 applicant and approves the applicant to participate in J-1 program. The sponsor issues a special form to an approved J-1 applicant, the DS-2019, and the applicant uses that form to apply for a J-1 visa at a consulate overseas.

The H-1B visa allows the U.S. employers to hire foreign workers in specialty occupations on a temporary basis. A specialty occupation is one that requires:

• The theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge and
• The attainment of a bachelor or higher degree in the specific specialty as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the US

A K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to the fiancé of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. The U.S. Citizen must petition on behalf of their future spouse with the U.S. Government agency handling immigration matters called USCIS. Once the foreign fiancé receives the K-1 visa, they must marry their US citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry into the United States, or leave the U.S. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to receive their Green Card.

The US citizen files form I-129F with the USCIS office that serves the area where he or she lives. After USCIS approves the petition, USCIC notifies the US embassy or consulate in the country where the fiancé lives. The fiancé applies for a K-1 visa at the US embassy or consulate in the country where the fiancé lives. When the K-1 visa is issued the fiancé enters the US and has 90 days to marry the US citizen. Following marriage, the K-1 visa holder can change status by applying for legal permanent residency (a green card).

TN Visa is a convenient alternative to other employment-based visa categories, which are more expensive and involve more rigorous requirements and a more complicated application process. TN visa is available to citizens of Canada and Mexico who will work in the U.S. in a designated professional capacity for a temporary period. The individuals who wish to come to U.S. in order to work in an occupation that appears on a list of professions designated under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). With minor exceptions, these positions require the TN employee to hold at least a Bachelor’s degree.

There is no limit on the amount of time an individual may hold TN status, unlike H-1 or L-1 status. However, in order to qualify for extensions, applicants must continue to show that they intend to leave the U.S. at the expiration of their temporary stay.

Mexicans must first apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate in Mexico before they can apply for admission at a U.S. port of entry.