Temporary (Nonimmigrant) Worker Classification |
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Nonimmigrant Classification for a Temporary Worker | Description | Nonimmigrant Classification for Dependant Spouses and Children of a Temporary Worker |
CW-1 | CNMI-Only transitional worker | CW-2 |
E-1 | Treaty traders and qualified employees. | E-13 |
E-2 | Treaty investors and qualified employees. | E-23 |
E-2C |
Long-term foreign investors in the CNMI | E-2C |
E-3 | Certain “specialty occupation” professionals from Australia. | E-33 |
H-1B | Workers in a specialty occupation and the following sub-classifications:
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H-4 |
H-1C2 | Registered nurses working in a health professional shortage area as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor. | H-4 |
H-2A | Temporary or seasonal agricultural workers. | H-4 |
H-2B | Temporary non-agricultural workers. | H-4 |
H-3 | Trainees other than medical or academic. This classification also applies to practical training in the education of handicapped children. | H-4 |
I | Representatives of foreign press, radio, film or other foreign information media. | I |
L-1A | Intracompany transferees in managerial or executive positions. | L-23 |
L-1B | Intracompany transferees in positions utilizing specialized knowledge. | L-23 |
O-1 | Persons with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics and motion picture or TV production. | O-3 |
O-2 | Persons accompanying solely to assist an O-1 nonimmigrant. | O-3 |
P-1A | Internationally recognized athletes. | P-4 |
P-1B | Internationally recognized entertainers or members of internationally recognized entertainment groups. | P-4 |
P-2 | Individual performer or part of a group entering to perform under a reciprocal exchange program. | P-4 |
P-3 | Artists or entertainers, either an individual or group, to perform, teach, or coach under a program that is culturally unique. | P-4 |
Q-1 | Persons participating in an international cultural exchange program for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and to share the history, culture, and traditions of the alien’s home country. | Not Applicable4 |
R-1 | Religious workers. | R-2 |
TN | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) temporary professionals from Mexico and Canada. | TD |
1 Only a few nonimmigrant classifications allow you to obtain permission work in this country without an employer having first filed a petition on your behalf. Such classifications include the nonimmigrant E-1, E-2, E-3 and TN classifications, as well as, in certain instances, the F-1 and M-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor classifications.
2 The H-1C nonimmigrant classification expired on December 20, 2009.
3 E and L dependent spouses may apply for employment authorization.
4 Though the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) does not provide a specific nonimmigrant classification for dependents of Q-1 nonimmigrants, this does not preclude the spouse or child of a Q-1 from entering the U.S. in another nonimmigrant classification.