US visas still available despite recession

July 23 2009 by Mark Johnstone

US work visas still available

Getting a US business visa or a temporary work permits is just as easy despite fears the recession will make obtaining US work visa more difficult.

Business people hoping to work in the US have grown concerned they may struggle to gain a valid visa to do so. But the US government is making assurances to show this is not the case.

There are 65,000 places available for foreign skilled workers in 2010. But only 45,000 applications have been received eight weeks after the new filing period opened.

"We are still accepting petitions, so folks who are interested should apply and get their petitions in," says Sharon Scheidhauer of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

US visas, such as L1 work permits and E1 trader and E2 investor visas, are still very much available for international business people.

The business community has welcomed the news that high volumes of applications for US work visas are still being submitted. US companies are also still looking to take on skilled workers from overseas. Qualified immigrants with skills that are in demand in the US are still likely to be granted visas to join a US company.

L1 work permits allow businesses to transfer employees from another country to work and live in the US. Transferred staff must have worked for the firm for at least one year out of the past three to qualify.

E1 US visas are available to traders (originating from countries who have signed treaties with the US) who conduct business with organisations in the US and need to send staff to spend time working in the US.

The E2 visa is a work visa that is especially tailored to those business people who make 'substantial' investments in the US. Again, they must originate from countries that have signed a treaty with the US.

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