Visa Information

A-1, A-2, A-3
Staff of foreign embassies & members of their immediate family. A-3 are attendants, servants of A-1, A-2. Clearance for any work beyond diplomatic work must be given in advance by the Protocol Division of the Department of State. Will have Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

B-1
Visitors for business. May be paid by foreign source; limited to reimbursement of travel & per diem from U.S. source; no salary, but can get honorariums.

B-2
Visitors for pleasure. Visitors in B-2 status may receive "academic honoraria" payments and payments for associated incidental expenses pursuant to the criteria set forth.

B-2
Prospective Student. Alien with clear intent to study in the U.S.; will change to F-1 status. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source until visa has been officially changed to F-1.

B-2
Prospective Exchange Visitor. Alien with clear intent to change to J-1 status for study, research or teaching. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source until visa has been officially changed to J-1.

C-1, C-2, C-3
Visitors in transit. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source.

D
Foreign crewman. May be paid only for work done in connection with shipping/transport.

E-1, E-2
Treat traders, treaty investors & their dependents. May be paid for business and investing work used as justification for issuance of visa; no other work is legally permitted.

F-1
Foreign students. On-campus work permitted by USCIS regulations (with restrictions – i.e., 20 hours/week when school is in session, 40 hours/week during school vacations); Off-campus work possible if employer has filed labor attestation or student has been approved for practical training; Off-campus permission given on 3rd page of I-20 or on EAD.

F-2
Dependents of foreign students. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source. May not engage in study.

G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5
Employees of international organizations & their immediate family members. G-5s are attendants, servants of G-1 to G-4. May be paid only by the organization for which they received their G designation; no other work legally permitted. Spouses & dependents may apply for special work permission from the Dept. of State.

H-1A
Registered nurses. Can only be paid by the facility that filed the labor attestation & applied for the H-1A. May engage in part-time study while maintaining “H” status.

H-1B
Temporary workers in a specialty occupation other than nurses, agricultural workers, athletes or entertainers. Visa is job specific – can only be paid by the organization which filed the petition for H-1 status. May engage in part-time study while maintaining “H” status.

H-2A
Aliens coming to U.S. to perform agricultural work of a temporary/seasonal nature. Can only be paid by petitioner or original sponsor – job specific. May engage in part-time study while maintaining “H” status.

H-3
A trainee. Cannot be paid by other than original sponsor or petitioner – job specific. May engage in part-time study while maintaining “H” status.

H-4
Dependents of H-1A, H-1B, H-2A, H-2B or H-3s. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source. May engage in full-time or part-time study while maintaining “H” status.

I
Journalists, representatives of the media & their dependents. May work only for media organization that obtained I visa for them.

J-1 Student
Students in the U.S. under Exchange Visitor Program. May work on or off-campus if granted permission by Exchange Visitor sponsor. May study full-time. Part-time study only if authorized by an International Advisor.

J-1 Professor & Research Scholar
Researchers, professors, scholars here under Exchange Visitor program. May work for university academic department or organization that issued or is listed on DS-2019 form; permission for other work granted by petition to U.S. Information Agency. Can engage in part-time study as long as it is incidental to primary objective.

J-1 Short-term Scholar
Short-term researchers & professors. Limited to 6 month stay. No extensions permitted. May work for the university academic department or organization that issued or is listed on DS-2019 form; permission for other work granted by petition to U.S. Information Agency. Can engage in part-time study as long as it is incidental to primary objective.

J-2
Dependents of J-1 Exchange Visitors. May request work authorization from USCIS so long as monies earned will not be used to support the J-1; work permission is shown on EAD. May engage in full-time or part-time study while maintaining “J” status.

K-1
Fiancés of U.S. citizens. May request work authorization upon entry to U.S.; permission shown on EAD. Must marry U.S. citizen w/in 90 days & apply for permanent residence.

L-1
Intra-company transfers – i.e. managers, executives who have worked abroad for branch of U.S. firm. May work only for the company that obtained L-1 visa; no other work permitted. May engage in part-time study.

L-2
Dependents of L-1s. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source. May engage in full-time or part-time study.

M-1
Students at vocational schools. May receive permission to work for six months after completion of studies; shown on EAD.

M-2
Dependents of M-1s. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source.

NATO 1-7
Aliens from NATO member countries in the U.S. under sponsorship of NATO for study, research, or training. Payment limited to funds provided through NATO award.

O-1
Alien who has extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, motion pictures or T.V. May be paid only by the organization that petitioned.

O-2
Alien coming to U.S. solely to assist in the artistic or athletic performance by an O-1. May be paid only by the sponsor of the O-1 alien.

P-1
Alien coming to U.S. to perform at a specific athletic competition. May be paid only by the sponsoring organization.

P-2
Alien coming to U.S. to perform as artist or entertainer. May be paid only by sponsoring organization.

P-3
Alien coming to perform as an artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program. May be paid only be sponsoring organization.

P-4
Dependents of P-1, P-2, P-3s. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source.

Q
Alien coming to participate in an int’l exchange program for sharing of attitudes, customs, history, heritage, philosophy and/or traditions of alien’s country. May be paid only by sponsoring agency.

R
Alien who is a member of a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the U.S. May be paid only by sponsoring agency.

S
Federal Witness. Not eligible for change to another non-immigrant status.

TN
Professional from Canada or Mexico who entered the U.S. under NAFTA agreement. Employment is restricted to the employer sponsoring the TN.

TD
Dependents of TN professional. May receive no payment whatsoever from any U.S. source.

WB
Visa Waiver Business. Limited to countries participating in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. Maximum stay of 90 days; cannot be extended or changed to another visa status. Reimbursement for travel and per diem only; no salary or honorariums.

WT
Visa Waiver-Tourist. Limited to countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Maximum period of stay is 90 days. Cannot be extended or changed to another visa status. May receive "academic honoraria payments and payments for associated incidental expenses pursuant to the criteria set forth. May not engage in study.

Asylum Applicants
Those who have filed for asylum in the U.S. May request work authorization; permission shown on special card.

Asylees/Refugees
Those granted asylum or refugee status. May request work authorization; permission shown on EAD.

Pending Immigrants
Those who have filed for adjustment to Immigrant status. May request work authorization; permission shown on EAD.

Immigrants (Permanent Residents/Resident Aliens)
Those who have been granted residence in the U.S. No limits on employment; status shown on Green Card.

Temporary Residents
Those who have been approved for legalization after having been here in illegal status for 5 years. May request work authorization for the year (or longer) it will take to obtain permanent residence; permission shown on EAD.

Conditional Permanent Residents
Those who have applied for immigrant status through marriage to U.S. citizen or permanent resident. No limits on employment; permission on EAD.

Undocumented Aliens
Those who have entered the U.S. illegally or who lost legal status. Not eligible for employment.