In addition, based on the type of visa they are applying for, some workers may need a Labor certification approval from the Department of Labor (again, filed by the employer).

Types of Work Visas

Keep in mind that there are many visa types, so let’s go through them briefly:

• H-1B: For workers in specialty occupations
• H-1B1: For free trade agreement (FTA) professionals
• H-2A: For temporary workers in agriculture
• H-2B: For workers in industries other than agriculture
• H-3: For people going to the U.S. to receive specialist training (non-medical, non-academic)
• I: For foreign press workers.
• L1: For intracompany transfers (switching company branches, for example)
• P-1: For athletes and entertainers attending specific athletic competitions
• P-2: For artists and performers partaking in reciprocal exchange programs
• P-3: For performers, artists, coaches, and teachers performing an ethnic, culturally unique, or artistically relevant presentation or performance.
• R-1: For people of a religious vocation (priests, ministers, missionaries, etc.)
• TN: For NAFTA Workers
• O1: For individuals with extraordinary abilities
• Q1: For people participating in cultural exchange programs

Which Documents Do I Need?

Before you go to the embassy, make sure you have the following documents:

• A printout of the confirmation page of the DS-160 (an online form which you should fill out beforehand) and a recent photo of yourself (uploaded in the DS-160, and also printed out so you can bring it with you, just in case)
• A valid passport
• The receipt notice of your USCIS petition
• A receipt that shows you paid the $190 application fee
• Some proof that you will return to your home country after your visa expires — this can include your family, your long-term plans, your economic situation, anything that ties you to your home country
• In case you’re applying for an L Visa, you’ll also need to fill the I-129S form and bring it with you
• There could be other requirements as well, depending on your home country, so always remember to check with your local U.S. Embassy

Once you have collected all the necessary documentation, you should schedule your interview at the embassy. Make sure to dress appropriately when attending the interview, be on time, and, we can’t stress this enough, never provide false information.

That’s it! Hopefully, this article helped you with the often confusing process of obtaining a work visa in the USA.

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In specific cases, if your status is still undetermined and you are waiting on a ruling, your visa can last until that ruling comes. All in all, these visas can last for anywhere between 3 months to 5 years, all depending on what your status is and what you will be doing.

Non-Immigrant Visas

When your immigrant work visa expires, it means that you should stop working immediately. Still, you can usually stay in the country after that. However, when a non-immigrant visa expires, you should both cease working and leave the country. In the case of these visas, your work is directly related to your stay in the country. Beyond that, you do not intend to stay.

These visas are valid for as long as your employment contract lasts, but seldom for more than six years. Extensions are usually quite rare, as they require changing one’s status from non-immigrant to immigrant. If that does happen, then you get an immigrant visa as you file for a green card and await the ruling.

To Sum Up

Depending on your immigrant status and the type of work permit you have, your work visa can last for anywhere from three months to six years. To ensure you stay up to date with your rights and get the visa you need, it is always best to consult a lawyer. They will be able to assess the situation and help you act accordingly.

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However, there are different sets of rules for each of the work visas. So, the exact rights and restrictions your family will have in the US will solely depend on the work visa you have.

B-1

• Family Status: B-2
• Benefits: An authorized stay in the US for the family
• Restrictions: Family members can not work or attend school

J-1

• Family Status: J-2
• Benefits: A one-year work permit for family members, and they can also attend school

F-1

• Family Status: F-2
• Benefits: Children can attend school
• Restrictions: Family members can not work

H-1B

• Family Status: H-4
• Benefits: Children can attend school
• Restrictions: Family members usually can not work, but there are some exceptions.

O-1

• Family Status: O-3
• Benefits: Children can attend school
• Restrictions: Family members can not work

TN

• Family Status: TD
• Benefits: Children can attend school
• Restrictions: Family members can not work

E-3

• Family Status: E-3
• Benefits: A one-year work permit for family members, and they can also attend school

Conclusion

Moving to a different country is never an easy thing to do. But it can be a bit easier if you bring your family to support you. So, if you have additional questions regarding your family’s visa status, please don’t hesitate to contact ABC’s for Immigrants at +1 (801) 209-9386.

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Non-petition-based visas do not require an existing job offer. They are, thus, easier to obtain, as you only need to file Form DS-160, and you’ll be good.

Visa Costs

The application fee for non-petition-based visas is $160. These visas include:

• B visas for visitors or tourists
• D visas for crew members on sea vessels and airplanes
• F visas for students
• I visas for members of foreign media
• J visas for any exchange workers
• TN visas for those under the NAFTA

Certain petition-based visas also cost $160. Those are reserved for any witnesses, informants, and victims of crimes and human trafficking.

In general, petition-based visas cost $190. The visa categories that this price covers are:

• H-1B visas
• O visas for those working in art, science, business, and education
• L visas for intra company transferees
• P visas for athletes
• R visas for religious workers

It is important to mention that the money is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome. So, even if you get refused, you will not get your money back.

To Conclude

As you have read, work visas can either cost $160 or $190, depending on the type of visa you are getting. If you need help figuring it all out, it is always smart to contact a lawyer and have them help you navigate your way through it all.

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Sadly, the former case is much more common. What’s even worse, having a charge against you will be enough for ICE to deny any of your appeals and to speed up the deportation process considerably. They will use your offense as proof that you are reckless or dangerous and build a case that no judge would let you win.

Final Thoughts

If the police catch you driving illegally and arrest you, chances are that a deportation process will be started immediately. Though that is a tricky situation, remember to appoint an immigration lawyer immediately. They might be able to help you fight ICE and whatever court handles your case.

Now, you know what can happen if you get caught illegal driving being an illegal immigrant. Try to be as careful as you can, and avoid driving without a license as much as possible. That way, the chances of the police catching you will diminish.

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Sadly, there isn’t much you can do in states that don’t allow driver’s licenses to illegal aliens. Still, most people own a car anyway and try to only use it when going to work while being extremely careful. Basically, it is all down to luck.

You can drive a car for years without a license and never get caught. Likewise, you can get behind the wheel for the first time and have the police stop you immediately. If that happens, you will be facing deportation right away.

What should you do, then? Unfortunately, until all states decide to give immigrants the right to get licenses, you can only wait. You can try driving a car anyway, but you’d be doing so and risking everything.

Final Thoughts

The question of whether you can drive a car as an illegal alien finally has an answer. In states where it is legal for you to get a license, you can drive a car like any legal citizen. In those that don’t allow it, you risk deportation every time you get into your vehicle. Be careful if that is your case, and think about everything that is on the line.

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Illegal aliens do not have permission to stay in the country. They have probably entered it illegally as well and are staying there for work or other purposes. A person who entered the country legally can also become an illegal alien if they, for some reason, lose that legal status.

Undocumented vs. Illegal: Is There a Difference?

These two terms are both used a lot in the media. That makes people believe that they mean different things. However, they are one and the same.

If someone is undocumented or illegal, it means that they do not have the documents they need to stay in the US. These documents include visas, work permits, and so on.

You may be wondering, why are both terms used if they mean the same? Well, the answer is not that simple. It all depends on who is talking.

Lawyers prefer the term illegal. They say that it is neutral and reveals all about the legal status of a person. The media, on the other hand, does not agree. They think the term is offensive, so they go with undocumented.

As a compromise, the two terms have merged with the word alien to create a third term. That is an undocumented illegal alien.

To Conclude

As you have read, the vocabulary surrounding immigration is not too complex after all. The term undocumented illegal alien refers to a person living in the US without permission or the papers they need to do so. Hopefully, this article helps you grasp the term and your own status, as well as that of those around you.

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If You Are Charged With Committing a Crime

The sad reality of America is this: if you are charged with any type of crime as an illegal alien, you will get in trouble as soon as the police learn about your status. ICE will intervene quickly, and the deportation proceedings will begin pretty soon. Though it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer, they will often not be able to do much in cases like these and you will most likely have to leave the country.

To Conclude

Whether you will be safe going to court as an illegal immigrant depends on the reason you have to go there in the first place. In any case, consulting an immigration lawyer before going to court or to the police is the best thing to do. That way, you will know you did everything in your power to be as safe as possible.

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What Are My Alternatives?

Luckily, there are a few alternatives and legal loopholes that allow you to drive in the United States legally.

Local Legislation

Even though federal law forbids the issue of driver’s licenses to non citizens, some states have their own legislation. For example, thanks to the S-1747 Bill, all illegal aliens living in New York can get a driving license. Not only that but in most states, the DMV can’t report details about local immigrants to the government. As a result, you can get a driver’s license without worrying about ICE officers knocking on your door later down the road.

So what states allow me to get a license? For now, only Washington State, New Mexico, and Illinois allow illegal aliens to get a driver’s license. Even so, keep in mind that you will still have to learn the rules of the roadway and pass driving tests. You will also need to get car insurance if you plan to buy a car, regardless of your immigration status. But if you plan to use your driver’s license for work, you should be able to do it without a Social Security Number.

Driving Permit

Some states, such as Utah, allow unauthorized citizens to apply for a driving permit, which is similar to a license. The main difference between the two is that the permit is only valid for a year or so, depending on local legislation. However, to be eligible for a driving permit, you will need to prove Utah residency for at least six months. Also, you are not allowed to use the permit for any identification purposes, as you would do with a license.

Final Thoughts

Can I get a driver’s license if I’m illegal? — The answer is usually no. However, some states are a bit more lenient. Therefore, you should always check your local regulations before you try to apply for a driver’s license. And most importantly, never attempt to drive without a license, even if you are an experienced driver.

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How Can I Pay Taxes?

In order to pay taxes, you need to file an Individual Income Tax Return form, also known as Form 1040. However, the form requires you to enter your Social Security Number, which illegal aliens don’t have. So, how should you pay your taxes? Luckily, undocumented immigrants have another option — the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or ITIN for short.

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

An ITIN is similar to a Social Security Number and was created back in 1996 to encourage people illegible for an SSN to pay their taxes. Yet, it’s important to mention that an ITIN is not a Work Permit and does not make you eligible to work legally in the United States. Also, receiving an ITIN doesn’t mean that you are a resident or documented alien. In other words, an ITIN just allows you to file tax returns and pay your taxes.

To get your own ITIN, you need to fill out the IRS form W-7 and then wait for up to 11 weeks. The form itself is not hard to fill out and requires you to disclose some basic information, such as your address and reason for applying. And once you have your ITIN, you can use it instead of an SSN when filing Form 1040.

Conclusion

Overall, it’s important to pay your taxes even if you are not a legal resident. By doing so, you prevent deportation while also protecting your future status adjustment procedure. And don’t forget to help your friends too, especially if they are wondering do I have to pay taxes if I’m illegal?

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