What are the employment related visa categories and their time limits?
The following is a list of some of the more common employment or business related visas used but is not an exhaustive list. You should consult an attorney prior to petitioning the INS for entry under any such categories as there are numerous requirements and specific forms that must be filed in order to obtain employment related visas. E-1 Treaty Trader Visas are provided to people who will enter the US solely to carry on substantial trade, including trade in services or trade in technology, principally between the US and the foreign country of which the person is a national. Applications for E-1 visas are made directly to the US consulate and not through the INS, unless the applicant is in the US in another visa status and seeks to change to an E-1 visa. The maximum time limit on E-1 visas is five years but it is renewable. E-2 Treaty Investor visas are provided to people who will enter the US solely to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which the traveler has inves
