The H1B Visa is one of the most competitive visas to apply for. Due to there being an annual visa cap, there is a huge demand from US employers applying for this visa. Additionally, since it is a route to a Green Card, it is one of the best visas to apply to work in the US.

Under the H1B, successful petitioners can:

• Live and work in the US
• Extend the stay in the US
• Change employers during H-1B status
• Stay with their dependent spouse & children (aged under 21) in the US

The H1B is a point based visa system and you need a minimum of 12 points for your application to be assessed. You must have:

• A Bachelors or Masters degree from the US (or an equivalent in your country)
• Or 12 years work experience
• Or a mix of education and work experience

You are awarded points as follows:

• 3 points for every 1 year of college studies
• 1 point for every 1 year of work experience

H1B visa cost:
Standard H1B Filing Fee is currently – $460.The standard H1B filing fee is for the 1-129 petition.

H1B visa base filing fee is set to increase by 21% from $460 USD to $555. The proposed fee increase will be effective from October 2nd, 2020.

The fee can either be paid electronically as a bank transfer or in cash at a specified bank that has branches across India. Next, create a profile on the US Visa Service website and select the scheduled appointment option to ensure the correct amount is paid and the appointment is scheduled in a timely manner.

On the payment confirmation screen, you will be presented with payment options and further details of how to initiate payment. The fee is good for a year from the date of payment. You must take an appointment within one year for your visa interview.

An H4 visa is a non-immigrant dependent visa. The visa does not grant you permanent residency, but it gives you the right to live, study, and work in the US.

Who is eligible?

• Spouse of the H type visa holder
• Children under the age of 21 whose parent is an H visa holder

The validity of the H4 visa
The validity of the visa is dependent on the visa of the sponsor who is also called the principal applicant.

The visa is usually sponsored by the spouse or parent having the H type visa. The H4 visa becomes invalid when the visa of the sponsor expires.

Privileges of the H4 visa

• You can get a driver’s license
• You have opportunities to study in the US
• You qualify for financial services, such as banking and an H4 visa loan

Work permission for the H4 visa holder

• The holder of the H4 visa may work part-time, full-time or not at all.
• The H4 visa holder is permitted to start any form of business.
• The holder of the H4 visa may continue to be eligible for EAD even if he does not seek employment.

Documents required for application

• US visa interview appointment letter
• A valid passport
• Copy of the primary visa holder’s passport
• Photograph of the primary visa holder and applicant together
• Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
• Confirmation page of the online DS-160 form
• Visa fees receipt from the relevant bank
• A copy of the primary visa holder’s form I-797
• A letter from the primary visa holder’s employer stating the nature of the relationship between the primary visa holder and employer
• Pay stubs from the primary visa holder’s current place of work
• Original marriage certificate
• Original birth certificates of children

L2 visas are also known as L1 dependent visas. The L2 visa is granted to the spouses and dependents of L1 visa holders. An L2 visa is a non-immigrant visa.

L1 dependents include:

Spouses of visa holders

Dependent children under the age of 21

L2 visa holders can:

• Live in the U.S. temporarily
• Study full-time or attend college in the U.S.
• Apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to work in the U.S.
• Change your visa status to another non-immigrant visa like F1, B1/B2, H1, and L1, and
• Travel in and out of the US on brief international trips

Documents required for L2 visa application:

• A completed Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
• Valid passport
• Passport photo
• Original marriage certificate
• Original birth certificates for each dependent child
• Written approval of the employer of the primary L1 visa holder
• Employment verification letter from the L1 visa holder’s employer
• L1 holder’s Form I-797
• Visa application fee
• Visas issuance fee

An R1 visa is for those who want to work in the United States as religious workers. It is a short-term visa.

Eligibility Conditions

First of all, you will have to work at a part-time job in the US, meaning that you’ll spend at least 20 hours a week at work.

At the same time, you need to get a job that has to do with your religion. To put it another way, you have to either work in a religious position or be a minister there. This means you ‘re not going to be suited to R1 Visas if your work is anything other than religious.

You are also entitled if you have a bona fide religious charitable organization and you were a member of the religious community before applying for a visa and you spent at least two years in that role before applying for an R1 visa.

You can also be a worker for an employer who also has a religious non-profit organization in the US.

You are not eligible if you are not going to work in a religious group or a church or is not going to do anything related to their activities. These visas are particularly for religious workers who have a job in the area, and no one else.

Being a volunteer also won’t bring an R1 Visa. You have to be a paid worker-otherwise you can’t apply.

Documents Required

• A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form
• A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.
• Passport photo taken in the last six months.

The R2 visa is a temporary US visa that authorizes an R1 visa holder’s spouse and unmarried child (under 21 years) to enter the US. The holders of R2 status may remain in the country for as long as the holders of R1 remain in legal status. In other words, once the principal R-1 person loses legal status, an individual loses his / her R-2 status.

R2 visa holders can:

• Take part in a full-time study course in the US
• Travel freely in and out of the US during the validity of the visa
• Apply for permanent residency status

Documents Required

• All documents required for an R-1 visa.
• Original birth certificate for each child
• Marriage registration certificate
• Copy of spouse’s passport
• Proof of financial support
• Copy of the contract between the employer and the R1 religious worker