Non-immigrant Visas

Learn what to do if you need a non-immigrant visa or if you need to apply for a temporary visa.

Talk to our immigration attorneys in Brownsville, Texas, to learn how to come to the U.S. on a temporary visa.

What are Business Visas?

Business visas are a type of non-immigrant visa for temporary stay in the U.S. for business purposes. The lengths and limitations for different kinds of business visas vary based on your purpose for coming. These types of visas are not for people who intend to reside in the United States permanently.

According to USCIS, business visas may be used for any of these business-related activities:

  • Consulting with business associates

  • Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention, or a conference on specific dates.

  • Settling an estate

  • Negotiating a contract

  • Participating in short-term training

  • Transiting through the United States: certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa.

  • Deadheading: certain aircrew members may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa

What are Work Permits?

Only certain visa types allow the visa holder to be work eligible. Many temporary visas are limited and only allow work under certain conditions and circumstances. Violating these stipulations and working without authorized permission can cause a visa holder to fall out of status, which puts their lawful presence in the U.S. at risk. The process to become work eligible varies for each visa type. Still, qualified people often need to apply for a work permit.

For example, students on an F-1 visa are often only permitted to work part-time on campus or as part of an internship required for their degree. Any work off campus requires that the student apply for a work permit. F-1 students must work closely with their Designated School Official (DSO) to follow immigration protocol when participating in work activities.

Other temporary visa holders have similar restrictions and protocols that must be followed.

Do you need help with the work eligibility for your current visa type? Talk to one of our immigration attorneys in the Rio Grande Valley to make sure that you stay in legal immigration status while you are in the United States.