- 1). Apply for a seasonal or temporary position with a U.S. employer and then receive an employment offer.
- 2). Your employer must file a temporary labor certification with the U.S. Department of Labor; your employer must file this certification at least 45 days before the date you expect to start employment.
- 3). Your employer must file Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, Form I-129 H Supplement with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Upon approval of these forms, USCIS will send you or your employer a Notice of Affiliation (Form I-797A or B). - 4). Your employer must provide you with a notarized copy of Form I-797A or B, if USCIS sent the approval notice to your employer.
- 5). Visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security homepage (see Resources), complete Form DS-156, Application for a Nonimmigrant Visa, and then print the generated form.
- 6). Download Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (see Resources), and then complete the form by typing directly into it. You may only use this form if you are a male between the ages of 16 and 45.
- 7). Locate your local U.S. Embassy or consulate by visiting the "Websites of U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions" page (see Resources).
- 8). Check the homepage for the embassy-approved financial institution. Most, if not all, U.S. Embassies have an approved local financial institution that applicants must use to pay visa fees.
- 9). Visit the local financial institution and pay your visa fee, which, as of June 2010, was USD $150.
- 10
Have a color 2-inch-by-2-inch photo taken of you within six months. Have the photo taken against a plain background. - 11
Submit your application and supporting documents to your local U.S. Embassy. - 12
Check your local U.S. Embassy or consulate homepage for instructions on how to schedule your nonimmigrant visa. Schedule the visa. - 13
Attend your visa appointment on your scheduled date, and then pass your interview by demonstrating to the immigration officer that you do not intend to immigrate to the United States illegally. Upon passing your interview, expect to have your visa processed within five business days, if not sooner.
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