Work Visas (H, L, O, P, Q)

H, L, O, P, and Q visas entitle the holder to work in the United States. All require the hiring company or organization in the United States to first submit a petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission.  If the petition is approved, the company will be issued a form I-797 enabling you to apply for a visa.

Visa Specific Information

H Visas: The H visa is intended for temporary employment in the United States and is valid for two entries within 3 months. There is no issuance fee for this visa type. All petitions must be approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).  Applicants must have their I-797 information, including their petition number, at the time they make their interview appointment.  If the applicant does not provide this information at the time they make their appointment it can cause significant delays.

In addition to the documents listed below, all applicants must bring the original approval notice from USCIS, documents providing details about proposed work in the United States, and documents providing details about previous employment and educational background to the interview.
 
L Visas: The L visa is for people who are being transferred by their company in China to a branch or related company in the United States. Applicants must intend to fill a managerial or executive position, or have specialized knowledge, and have been continuously employed by the same employer or a related company for at least one of the 3 years immediately preceding the visa application. Fees vary depending on whether the visa is single or multiple entry.
 
L visa petitions must first be approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Applicants must have their I-797 information, including their petition number, at the time they make their interview appointment.  If the applicant does not provide this information at the time they make their appointment it can cause significant delays.  All applicants should bring documents providing details about proposed work in the United States, previous employment, and educational background to the interview.  Applicants using a company’s blanket L-1 must bring three copies and one original form I-797. The original form will be returned after the application is approved.

For most L applicants, the visa is valid for multiple entries within one year or two years, depending on the period of time specified on the applicant’s L petition approval notice. 

If the visa is approved, each Chinese L applicant must pay an additional $120 USD visa issuance fee at the time of the visa interview if they want a two year multiple-entry visa.  This means, for example, if one principal L-1 applicant is traveling with two family members who are applying for L-2 visas, the family must pay a total of $360 USD in visa issuance fees. 

If the principal applicant is applying for an L-1 visa under “blanket” L visa provisions, the applicant must pay $500 USD “fraud prevention and detection fee” at the time of their visa interview, before the inteview begins. Blanket L-1 visa applicants do not need to pay the additional $120 USD issuance fee, but their family members do if they want a two year multiple-entry visa. This means, using the example of the family above, a family of three people applying under the L blanket provisions must pay a total of $740 USD in L visa fees (this fee is different and in addition to the application fee). 

All L visa applicants should bring any possible fee payments with them on the day of their interview.  The Consular Section only accepts cash and cannot take payment of fees by check or credit card.
 
O, P, and Q Visas: These visas are for performers or trade workers possessing unusual or extraordinary skills who plan to perform, teach, coach, or participate in cultural exchange in the United States. The applicant’s work unit in China and host institution in the United States should contact USCIS for information on filing such petitions. 

For any other questions not answered here, please access the Department of State Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov/visa.

Required Documents

• Your DS-160 confirmation page with barcode
• A 2 inch x 2 inch (50 mm x 50) mm photo
• Your passport
• A receipt from CITIC Bank for the application fee
• Your I-797 work permit, notice of action, and copy of the petition your employer filed with the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Recommended Supplemental Documents for Science and Technology Workers

Applicants who hope to pursue employment in the United States related to science or technology should also bring the following additional documents with them to the interview:

• a research plan
• a complete list of publications, if applicable
• Your advising professor's or supervisor’s biography, CV or webpage, if already assigned
• Your job description

NOTE: The above items should not be considered an exhaustive list and presentation of these documents does not guarantee visa issuance.  Be prepared to explain to the visa officer and present evidence regarding why you are going to the United States.

Visas for Spouses and Children of Temporary Workers

Spouses and children of work visa holders may apply for derivative visas. Parents and other family members are NOT eligible for derivative visas. They may visit a work visa holder for a temporary period if they apply for and receive a tourist (B-2) visa.