The immigration lawyers with Richards and Jurusik Immigration Law have more than 20 years of experience providing comprehensive immigration support to businesses of all types and sizes to develop immigration strategies for doing business in the United States.

If your business is sending employees to the United States or expanding your operations into the US, or you are a US company hiring a foreign national, we can help you with your US Immigration needs.

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Temporary Workers

Most foreign nationals enter the US to work on a temporary basis as nonimmigrants. There are several visa categories available for employers when employing foreign nationals on a temporary basis.

TN Visas for NAFTA Professionals

Canadian citizens and Mexican citizens benefit from the United States Canada Mexico Agreement (USCMA), formerly NAFTA. Under the USCMA, Canadians and Mexicans that work as professionals in any of the 63 USMCA professions and meet the minimum qualifications are able to obtain TN Visa status to work in the United States.

E-1 Visas for Treaty Traders

Foreign businesses from treaty countries that conduct substantial trade with the United States are able to obtain an E-1 registration for their business that enables them to send qualifying employees to the US on E-1 Visas.

E-2 Visas for Treaty Investors

Foreign citizens and businesses from treaty countries with substantial investments in the United States are able to obtain an E-2 registration for their business that enables them to send qualifying employees to the US on E-2 Visas.

H-1B Visas for Specialty Occupations, DOD Cooperative Research & Development Project Workers, and Fashion Models

Foreign nationals who wish to perform services in a specialty occupation, services of exceptional merit and ability relating to a Department of Defense (DOD) cooperative research and development project, or services as a fashion model of distinguished merit or ability, can apply for the H-1B Visa.

L-1 Visas for Business Expansion into the United States

Foreign businesses that are looking to expand their footprint into the United States can do so under the L-1 Visa for Intracompany Transfers, which allows for the start-up of a new business and the transfer of qualifying employees to the US to establish, set up, manage, run, and/or work in the new office.

O-1 Visas for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

Foreign nationals who possess extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, or who have a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements, can apply for an O-1 Visa.

Other Temporary Work Visas

We also help foreign nationals with all other relevant temporary work visas, including:

  • CW-1 Visas for CNMI-Only Transitional Workers (Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)
  • E-3 Visas for Specialty Occupation Workers from Australia
  • H-1B1 Visas for Specialty Occupations from Chile & Singapore
  • H-2A Visas for Temporary Agricultural Workers
  • H-2B Visas for Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers
  • H-3 Visas for Nonimmigrant Trainees or Special Education Exchange Visitors
  • I Visas for Representatives of Foreign Media
  • P-1A Visas for Athletes
  • P-1B Visas for Members of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
  • P-2 Visas for Individual Performers or Part of a Group Entering to Perform Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program
  • P-3 Visas for Artists or Entertainers Coming to Be Part of a Culturally Unique Program
  • R-1 Visas for Nonimmigrant Religious Workers

Permanent Workers

If you intend to hire a foreign national on a permanent basis, this is done through sponsorship for US permanent residence—also known as a Green Card.

A permanent resident is someone who has been granted authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis. As proof of that status, a person is granted a permanent resident card, commonly called a “green card.” Learn about the possible paths to permanent residence through employment for foreign nationals, including EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-4 priority workers, as well as the PERM / Labor Certification process.

Business Expansion into the United States

If you are a foreign company that has not yet established operations in the United States, there are several options to consider for expanding your company into the US.

L-1 Visas for Business Expansion into the United States

Foreign businesses that are looking to expand their footprint into the United States can do so under the L-1 Visa for Intracompany Transfers, which allows for the start-up of a new business and the transfer of qualifying employees to the US to establish, set up, manage, run, and/or work in the new office.

E-1 Visas for Treaty Traders

Foreign businesses from treaty countries that conduct substantial trade with the United States are able to obtain an E-1 registration for their business that enables them to send qualifying employees to the US on E-1 Visas.

E-2 Visas for Treaty Investors

Foreign citizens and businesses from treaty countries with substantial investments in the United States are able to obtain an E-2 registration for their business that enables them to send qualifying employees to the US on E-2 Visas.

Business Visitors to the United States

Canadian citizens are able to enter the US without a visa as visa-exempt. This allows them to enter the US for acceptable business activities without the need for a visa. However, for durations from 90 days to 180 days, most foreign nationals will require a Visitor Visa to enter the United States.

B-1 Temporary Business Visitor Visas

Most foreign nationals require a B-1 Temporary Business Visitor Visa for business visits to the US. Entry on a B-1 Visa is generally limited to 180 days or less. The longer the visit, the higher the scrutiny, which increases the chance of refusal.

The Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is also available to certain foreign nationals. The VWP is similar to the B-1 Visitor Visa and allows visits for qualifying business activities for up to 90 days without the need for a visa.

Our Immigration Resources for Employers

What expenses can be used in an E-2 investor visa application?
What expenses can be used in an E-2 investor visa application?
Not all E-2 visa investments are done with multi-million dollar purchases. In fact, most E-2 visa investments we see are made up of several small investment amounts. If you are applying for an E-2 investor visa, it is important to understand what expenses can be used towards the investment amount. We discuss what expenses can be used in an E-2 investor visa application here.
TN Visa Recreational Therapist to Green Card through PERM, Approved!
TN Visa Recreational Therapist to Green Card through PERM, Approved!
Under the USCMA Canadian and Mexican citizens can qualify for TN visa status to work and live in the United States under certain professions. Many times, an employer decides to make the offer of employment permanent and sponsor the employee for US permanent residence (green card). We recently helped a Canadian citizen go from a TN Visa as Recreational Therapist to a green card through the perm process. We discuss the process and this approval here.
USCIS Update – USCIS Extends H1B FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration
USCIS Update – USCIS Extends H1B FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration
On March 17, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) extended the FY 2024 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period from Friday, March 17, 2023, at Noon EST until Monday, March 20, 2023, at 5 pm EST. 
What are the US Work Visa Options for Nurses?
What are the US Work Visa Options for Nurses?
As with many medical professions, there is a substantial demand for registered nurses in the United States. Many employers look to foreign-trained nurses to fill this demand. There are several potential US work visa options for foreign nurses. These include TN visa status for citizens of Mexican and Canadian, E-3 visas for citizens of Australia, and H-1B visas for other foreign nationals. We cover these visa options and US permanent residence for Nurses here. 
USCIS Update – USCIS Issues Guidance on how Employers can show Ability to Pay Wages
USCIS Update – USCIS Issues Guidance on how Employers can show Ability to Pay Wages
On March 15, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance on how they determine an employer’s ability to pay the proffered wage for EB1, EB2, and EB3 employment-based immigrant visa petitions. Read the full guidance here.
My TN visa employee quit or was terminated, what do I need to do?
My TN visa employee quit or was terminated, what do I need to do?
Employers of foreign nationals need to be aware of and meet certain requirements when an employee quits or is terminated. Some non-immigrant visa categories have more requirements than others. Employers of Canadian or Mexican professionals under TN visa status should be knowledgeable of these requirements. We discuss employer requirements when an employee under TN visa status quits or is terminated here.
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Nurse?
How do I get an H-1B visa as a Nurse?
As the demand for nurses in the United States increases, many employers look to foreign nurses to meet the demand. The H-1B visa is available to nurses in qualifying positions. We explain which nursing positions qualify for H-1B visa status here.
What are the requirements for a company or employer to support a TN Visa?
What are the requirements for a company or employer to support a TN Visa?
Potential employers of Canadian or Mexican professionals under TN visa status must meet certain requirements. One of the main requirements for TN visa status is an offer of employment to engage in business at a professional level for a U.S. entity.  We discuss the basic employment requirements for TN visa status here.
Does the time for the two-year foreign residence requirement need to be continuous?
Does the time for the two-year foreign residence requirement need to be continuous?
Some foreign exchange visitors with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year foreign residence requirement. This requires those that are subject to the home residence requirement to return home for at least two years after they complete their program. We discuss the foreign requirement and whether or not the physical presence must be continuous here.
TN Visa IT Management Consultant to Green Card through PERM, Approved!
TN Visa IT Management Consultant to Green Card through PERM, Approved!
Both Canadian and Mexican citizens can qualify for TN visa status to work and live in the United States. In some cases, an employer decides to make the offer of employment permanent and sponsor the employee for US permanent residence (green card). We recently helped a Canadian citizen go from a TN Visa as an IT management consultant to a green card through the perm process. We discuss the process and this approval here.