Nonimmigrant Visas

Petition Based Visas (H, L, O, P, Q and R)

As of November 2007, the Petition Information Management System (PIMS) is the sole source of confirmation that a petition for a visa has been approved. A Notice of Approval (I-797) or completed I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker is no longer sufficient on its own to issue a visa, but applicants should still bring copies of these forms with them to their interview. In order to avoid any delays in the processing of your visa, please provide the receipt number of the approved I-129 or I-797 to us at least two business days prior to your visa interview. You may do this by faxing a copy of the I-797 Notice of Approval to +852 2147-3586, or by emailing the receipt number and the name of the petitioner and beneficiary to hongkongpims@state.gov. Please note that this email address is not for inquiry. If you have any questions about visa matter, please use our Visa Inquiry Form.

• What is a Temporary Worker (H) visa?
• What is an Intra-company Transferee (L) Visa?
• What is an O visa?
• What is a P visa?
• What is an Exchange Visitor (J & Q) Visa?
• What is a Religious Worker (R) Visas?

What is a Temporary Worker (H) visa?
If you have a job offer for temporary work in the United States, you may require an H visa in order to work there legally. H visas are for people in specialty occupations (usually requiring a bachelor's degree), agricultural workers, some non-agricultural workers, and certain trainees.

Click here for further information on Temporary Worker (H) visa.

What is an Intra-company Transferee (L) Visa?
L classification applies to intra-company transferees who, within the three preceding years, have been employed abroad continuously for one year, and who will be employed by a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of that same employer in the United States in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity.

Please note: there is an additional L Visa-Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee for visa applicants with L blanket petitions (this applies to the principal applicant only) of USD $500.00. It can be paid at the U.S. Consulate in cash (Hong Kong dollars or U.S. dollars) or by credit card.

Click here for further information on Intra-company Transferee (L) visa.

What is an O visa?
The O visa is a petition-based visa, which first requires approval from the Department of Homeland Security. The O-1 visa classification applies to persons who have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or extraordinary achievements in the motion picture and television field. The O-2 visa classification applies to person accompanying an O-1 alien to assist in an artistic or athletic performance.

The Consulate may process your visa application up to 90 days in advance of the beginning of employment status as noted on your Approval Notice (Form I-797). However, when making your travel plans, please note that due to federal regulations, you can only use the visa to apply for entry to the U.S. starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period noted on your I-797.

Click here for further information on O visa.

What is a P visa?
The P classification is petition-based, which first requires approval from the Department of Homeland Security. The P-1 classification applies to individual or team athletes, or members of an entertainment group that are internationally recognized. The P-2 classification applies to artists or entertainers who will perform under a reciprocal exchange program. The P-3 classification applies to artists or entertainers who perform under a program that is culturally unique.

The Consulate may process your visa application up to 90 days in advance of the beginning of employment status as noted on your Approval Notice (Form I-797). However, when making your travel plans, please note that due to federal regulations, you can only use the visa to apply for entry to the U.S. starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period noted on your I-797.

Click here for further information on P visa.

What is an Exchange Visitor (J & Q) Visa?
The J exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to people programs.

Please click here for further information on Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa.

The Q international cultural exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of the history, culture, and traditions of the participant's home country in the United States.

The Consulate may process your visa application up to 90 days in advance of the beginning of employment status as noted on your Approval Notice (Form I-797). However, when making your travel plans, please note that due to federal regulations, you can only use the visa to apply for entry to the U.S. starting ten days prior to the beginning of the approved status period noted on your I-797.

Please click here for further information on Exchange Visitor (Q) Visa.

Religious Worker Visas (R)

If you are proceeding to the U.S. to work temporarily in a religious capacity, you may be eligible for an R visa. Applicants applying for a nonimmigrant visa as a religious worker must meet strict qualifications regarding their religious affiliation, their prospective duties in the U.S., and the tax-free status of their denomination. The R visa requires applicants to have a petition approved by the Department of Homeland Security.

Click here for further information on Religious Worker (R) visa.

 

Related Links

• For information on forms and fees, please click here.
• Click here to go back to the application instructions.

 

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Last modified: May 29, 2009