USA Immigration

Visitors arriving in United States for business purposes require a valid business visitor visa namely B1 visa or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

A B1 visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows visitors to come to the United States temporarily for business purposes only. They may get involved in business activities like consultation with business associates, conferring contracts and attending seminars or conferences in the US.

Visitors travelling for business purposes from participating VWP (Visa Waiver Program) nations may be required to procure an ESTA before leaving for their trip.

B1 Visa Requirements

A B1 visa can only be acquired abroad. The applicants need to establish the purpose of their trip to be for business activities only. These activities should not involve gainful employment or compensation from any source within the United States.

B1 visa applicants may be required to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. They may also be obliged to meet certain health and character requirements.

Applicants must express their intent to return to their home country at the end of their stay.

B1 Visa Entitlements

A B1 visa holder is usually allowed to remain in the US for a maximum of one (1) year. The holder’s spouse, dependent children and domestic employees may also be entitled to accompany them to the US on a derivative non immigrant visa. B1 visa holders may be allowed to change their visa status, if required, to engage in employment or full-time study, given that the applicant fulfils the additional eligibility criteria.

Almost all visitors going to the United States, as tourists require a valid tourist visa which is a B2 visa or an ESTA.

A B2 visa is a non-immigrant visa that permits tourists only temporary visit to the United States. B2 visa holders can undertake city tours, can go sightseeing, call upon family and friends or, if needed, receive medical treatment in the US.

Tourists from participating VWP (Visa Waiver Program) countries are required to acquire an ESTA before departing for their trip.

B2 Visa Requirements

A B2 visa can only be procured abroad. The applicants must verify the purpose of their trip. The purpose of the trip can only be for pleasure, tourism or medical treatment.

Applicants must prove they intend to return to their home country at the end of their stay. B2 visa applicants may also be required to show that they have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay. They may also be obliged to meet certain health and character requirements.

B2 Visa Entitlements

A B2 visa normally allows the holder to remain in the US for a maximum of six (6) months. In certain cases, some B2 visa holders may be allowed to stay up to one year.

A B2 visa holder may be permitted to undertake short-term study course during his stay, but will not be allowed to undertake long-term study course nor will he be entitled to take up employment.

However, in some particular circumstances, a B2 visa holder is allowed to change his visa status during his stay itself to engage in employment or to undertake a full-time study course.

An L1 visa is a work visa, temporary in nature, for important employees working for international companies. This allows the employees to be transferred to the US to continue working for their employer.

An L1 visa is also suitable for significant employees working for an international company who are transferred to the US to establish a parent, branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the company. The international company may be either an US or foreign enterprise.

L1 Visa Requirements

The main criteria to qualify for an L1 visa is that, the applicant must be employed by the company for at least one year without a break or within the preceding three years in a managerial capacity or in any specialized knowledge capacity. Furthermore, the applicant must be intending to hold a similar managerial or a major position within the company.

L1 visa applicants may also be obliged to meet certain health and character requirements.

L1 Visa Entitlements

An L1 visa is of a temporary nature allowing the visa holder to stay and work in the US temporarily.

If the company is already established in the US then a L1 visa is usually granted for 3 years. If the company is new then a L1 visa is granted for 1 year. Extensions of an L1 visa may be also be granted.

Intercompany transferees holding an L1 visa are allowed to maintain L1 visa status, while applying for a Green Card, which allows permanent US residency.

Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age may apply for the applicable derivative visa (L2 visa) to join their spouse or parents in the US.

Spouses and children accompanying their spouses or parents respectively are allowed to undertake employment with an approved employment authorization or study in the United States without procuring a student visa.

St Kitts is an island in the West Indies. The Westside of the island borders the Caribbean Sea and the eastern coast faces the Atlantic Ocean. St Kitts and neighboring island of Nevis constitute one country: the federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.

St. Kitts AND NEVIS – Quick Facts

• Capital: Basseterre
• Passport Rank: 26
• Population: 65,000
• Language: English
• Visa Free Travel: 151 Countries

St. Kitts AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

The St. Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by Investment Programme is the longest-running citizenship-by-investment programme in the world. Established in 1984, it is a perfect option for investors looking for a second passport for travel and ease of access to a number of countries. The ability to pass one’s citizenship to future generations by descent is one of the attractive features this Program.

Besides, Saint Kitts and Nevis impose no tax on foreign income or capital and a second citizenship might complement existing tax planning and wealth protection strategies.

INVESTMENT OPTIONS

Applicant can obtain St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship under 2 Investment schemes.

Option 1: SUSTAINABLE GROWTH FUNDS (NON REFUNDABLE)  

Non refundable contribution (Sustainable Growth fund or Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation)

Under Sustainable growth Funds, applicant can obtain life time citizenship by donating below mentioned amount.

Option 2: Real Estate Investment

Real Estate Investment ( $ 200,000 /400,000 investment in govt. approved projects)

The applicant is required to purchase either $ 200,000 / $ 400,000 shares in a govt. approved project. Shares can be sold after 7/5 years respectively. Applicant can also earn guaranteed returns on investment without any ongoing cost on investment.

** Legal and Professional fee applicable

BENEFITS OF OBTAINING ST. KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP

• Fast-tracked application process- receive Citizenship in under two months
• Visa free travel to 151 countries including Schengen, United Kingdom, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
• Get access to world-class education and healthcare services along with lucrative international business opportunities.
• Attractive tax environment with no tax on worldwide income and inheritance.
• No need to denounce the current nationality
• No need to fulfil any physical residency or language requirement.

WWICS – OFFERING EXPERT GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE ON ST. KITTS AND NEVIS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

STEP 1: The Client will sign the official Contract with WWICS. Initial Payment needs to be paid at this step.

STEP 2: A preliminary check on Applicant’s profile is processed and an initial Due Diligence Report is provided along with a checklist of necessary documents and application forms.

STEP 3: Client needs to complete the Application forms with the assistance of WWICS. The second payment according to the issued invoice needs to be paid at this step.

STEP 4: Once the forms are completed, the Client’s File will be submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) for approval.

STEP 5: After submission, we wait to receive the “Approved in Principal” Letter from the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

STEP 6: Once we receive the Approval letter, the Client needs to make the final payment as per the invoice issued.

STEP 7: In case of Real Estate Investment, the Client will receive “Certificate of Naturalization” and “Share Certificate”

STEP 8: Passport Applications will be submitted after the Approvals and Certificates and the Passport will then be issued.

Student visa is referred to non-immigrant visa, as per which, the visa holder can enter the territory of a particular nation to seek higher education without obtaining citizenship. It is must for a prospective student wishing to get higher education at another country to obtain a student visa for that country.

F1 visa refers to a nonimmigrant visa issued to candidates who have interest in studying in the U.S. It is must to file for F1 visa application if an interest candidate has plans to enter the US for pursuing studies at a private elementary school, high school, university or college, seminary, conservatory, or other academic institution.

I-20 Form is an official US Department of Homeland Security document, which is issued by a certified colleges, universities, or institutions. Form I-20 is a “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status”, and issued only to potential non-immigrant students. To get F1 or M1 visa, a student must obtain this form. Form I-20 is not a visa to enter USA as a student.

Form I-20 works as a proof-of-acceptance from a particular university and comprises important information required to pay Student and Exchange Visitor Program fee, i.e. the SEVIS I-901 fee.

To apply for students Visa for USA, a candidate needs following set of documents: –

In the US, there is a great opportunity for employment in the field of Business Administration, Science, Teaching, Healthcare, and Engineering. The United States offers great scope of prospering career with high paying scale for the deserving professionals.

Yes, students between the age group 14 to 79 have to appear for interview for F1 visas.

F1 students Visa for USA have strict work restrictions and are meant only for pursuing education. However, Students with F-1 visas are generally allowed to work on the campus of the university at which they study for up to 20 hours a week.

Yes, by following the change of schools process, you may change your institution, school or university with the United States. To change your current school, you are required to notify the DSO (designated school officer) to transfer SEVIS record. Along with this, you would also need Form I-20 from your new school and submitted the change of documents within 15 days of transfer date.

Yes, following the travel requirements of other place, at which you intent to visit you may travel. However, you would have to return to the US within five months. Also, before leaving the US, the student would need to get a signed I-20 form.

An H-1B visa is available for a period not to exceed a total of six years; to a foreign employee A. who will be incumbent in a temporary position and will perform services in a specialty occupation on the behallf the employer has obtained an approved Lab-or Condition Application.

Yes. You must have the U.S. equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree in a specialized subject (such as computer science, economics etc.) and the job must require such specialization. There are many other requirements, but this is where you begin.

The correct visa application fee for filing an H-1 B under regular processing is $1130.

An H-1B is temporary visa for three years, extendable for another three. There are various sub categories of H-1 Visa which is as follows:

The number of immigrants per year has gone down as it was in the peak years at the beginning of the 20th century. Immigration as a proportion of population is about a third of what it was in the peak years. The foreign-born population of the United States is 8.5 percent of the total population (as of 1990).

People come to the United States for many different reasons, but main factor which attracts is for better opportunities for themselves and their families: better jobs, better life, to join family, to escape war and for freedom.

Overwhelmingly, survey results report that recent immigrants have better living conditions in the United States than in their own country. They cite better jobs and freedom as the reasons why.

In a survey conducted by a US Research Centre states that most immigrants now have better jobs with higher pay in the United States.

The United States L1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which allows companies operating both in the US and abroad to transfer certain classes of employee from its foreign operations to the US operations for up to seven years. The employee must have worked for a subsidiary, parent, affiliate or branch office of your US company outside of the US for at least one year out of the last three years.
Companies operating in the US for at least one year, may apply to the relevant INS service center for an L1 visa to transfer someone to the US from their overseas operations. Employees in this category will, initially, be granted an L1 visa for up to three years.

Any organization which is ‘doing business’ (i.e. has more than simply an agent or representative presence) in the United States can sponsor an L1 visa, provided that the candidate qualifies in either L1A or L1B category, and that the sponsoring organization continues to carries on doing business outside the United States for the duration of the worker’s L1 status. There is no restriction on the types of business that can sponsor an L1 visa – corporations, partnerships, government-owned entities and non-profit organizations are all eligible. Nor is it a requirement that the sponsoring organization be United States-owned or incorporated. It is, however, a requirement that there is some equity or ownership link between the transferor organization and the transferee organization in the United States.

Qualifying criteria:

In order to sponsor an application for an L1 visa:

A foreign parent must own at least 50% of a US subsidiary, and have veto powers over the subsidiary’s actions A US parent must own must own at least 50% of the foreign subsidiary, and have veto powers over the subsidiary’s actions.
Affiliate US and foreign companies must each be at least 50% owned by the same ultimate parent A US organization with a branch office abroad qualifies, as does a foreign organization with a US branch (though this must be more than simply an agent or representative)
A US organization which employs e.g. sales personnel overseas can sponsor such employees for L1’s even if there is no non-US office.

Note that the ownership requirements are not as strict in the case of vary large corporations, where a substantial minority shareholding will be a qualifying relationship. Does the candidate qualify for an L1 visa? All L1 employees must have been employed by the company outside of the USA for at least one of the three years preceding the transfer. It does not matter if the worker was directly employed by the sponsor, or paid through an agency or personal service company, or even on a freelance basis, provided the sponsor had management and control over the worker during the qualifying year.

The employee must have been employed during the qualifying year as an executive, manager, or specialized knowledge worker, though it permissible for a specialized knowledge worker to come to the United States as a Manager or Executive, and for a manager or executive to come as a specialized knowledge worker, provided the US operation has been doing business for at least one year.

As noted previously, the ‘standard of proof’ for managers and executives is quite strict – they must generally supervise other professional or managerial staff and/or direct and control the day-to-day operations of a significant function, unit or subdivision of the employer. Specialized knowledge workers, however, qualify relatively easily – any employee with familiarity with the employer’s specific products, procedures or methods may qualify.

No.

Dependants are issued L2 visas, which are not employment authorised. In order to engage in employment, L2 visa-holders would have to change or adjust status to another employment-authorised category. L-2 holders can engage in study.

Yes provided they remain under your management and control.

This is possible but not advisable, and under no accounts should the alien risk putting in jeopardy the issue of an L1 visa by engaging in anything that might be construed as work, as this may lead to the alien being accused of visa-fraud either on entry to the US with a visitor visa/visa-waiver or when applying for an L1 visa at the US consulate in their own country.

Yes.

No, but paying L1 workers significantly below the prevailing wage and/or the wages of your US resident staff is likely to result in the INS viewing your petition unfavourably and may also result in investigations by the INS or Department of Labour.

private institutes offer a variety of courses that attract the students from all over the world.

No- Paying the tuition fees expenses in advances is a good way to show proof of funds but it is not a requirement to pay in advance.

There are no specific documents that prove a student is able to pay for his/her education. Bank account statements, chartered accountant statements, employment letters, and property documents are the most common documents used to show proof of funds.

Part 7 on the I-20 shows the amount of funding you must have available to cover the first years expenses. The total amount includes tuition and fees, living expenses, expenses of dependents (if applicable), and other expenses (as applicable). You must prove that you have immediate funds available to cover this amount. If you are going to a two years Masters program, then you must also show that funds are or will likely be available to cover the same amount for second year. For example, if you are a student for two year Masters program and the total amount in part-7 of I-20 includes $5000 for tuition and fees, $5000 for living expenses and $500 for other expenses (books and supplies) then you must prove that $10,500 is or will likely be available to cover the second year.

Students whose prospective university does not require that they take the TOEFL or GRE should provide a letter from the university stating the same. However, the Embassy strongly recommends that all student visa applicants provide standardized test scores.

No, previously, US Law permitted persons entering on tourist, B-2 visas to change status to F-1 visas. That is no longer the case. A non-immigrant wishing to study in US must apply from their country of origin or residence if they wish to study in the US on an F-1 visa.

Students (F1 or M1)may travel within 30 days of the commencement of the course of study stated on your I-20 regardless of how early your visa was issued.

You are encouraged to apply early for your student non-immigrant visa to ensure that you can get on your way in timely fashion. During the summer season (April to September) you may apply at any time prior to start date of your classes. During the rest of the year, you may apply upto 90 days prior to your start date.

No, your I-20 does not need to be sealed in an envelope. However, you have to make sure that you carry the I-20 when you travel, as you have to show it to the immigration officer at the port of entry in order to be admitted in to the US.