Non-Immigrant Visas: Temporary Workers

Temporary Workers – O, P, R Visas

Congress created a number of highly specialized temporary work visa categories for certain outstanding workers in the sciences, arts, education, business, entertainment, and athletics; it also created a visa category for religious workers, an R visa. There are no quota restrictions, but a job offer from a U.S. employer is a requirement for any of these visas, and they are normally approved between two to seven months. It is a two step process:

(1) Petition, I-129 Form and Supplement. Your employer must submit the petition form in duplicate, and send in two signed originals, together with the supplement that applies to your situation.

(2) Application. Once your petition is approved, USCIS will forward a complete copy of the file to the consulate designated on form I-129. Your home consulate will complete the application and issue you a visa.

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