Visa Lawyers in Austin & San Antonio

Don’t Be Overwhelmed by Paperwork; Let Us Help You with Your Application

Any foreigner who would like to visit the U.S. must first obtain a visa from the United States Department of State. There are many different types of visas available for foreigners wanting to spend time in the U.S., including temporary and permanent residency visas. The information included on this page is for temporary visas, however, if you are looking for additional information on obtaining a permanent residence visa, we can help with that as well.

Call our Austin & San Antonio visa attorneys at (512) 399-2311 to learn more about your options.

Types of Visas

There are two main types of temporary visas, including employment and family visas. The most common visas include the business visa (B-1), the pleasure or medical treatment visa (B-2), and the combination business and pleasure/medical treatment visa (B-1/B-2). However, some foreigners find that they do not fit within either of these categories.

A comprehensive list of visa types is listed below for your convenience:

• B-1: Business visitors
• B-2: Visitors for pleasure
• EB-3: Skilled or professional workers
• F-1: Academic/language student
• H-1B: Specialty occupation workers
• H-1C2: Registered Nurses
• J-1: Exchange student
• K-1: Fiancées of U.S. citizens
• U: Victim visa
• V-1, V-2: Children of green card holders

Additional visas:

• P-2: Artists/entertainers in exchange programs
• E-1: Treaty trader
• E-2: Treaty investor
• EB-1: Priority workers
• EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees/exceptional ability
• EB-4: Special immigrants
• EB-5: Investors
• H-3: On-the-job trainees
• J-1 Waiver: Waiver of 2-year residency requirement for J-1 visa
• L-1: Intra-company transferees
• M-1: Vocational, non-academic student
• O-1, O-2: Persons of extraordinary ability and support
• P-1: Athletes and entertainers and support
• P-3: Artists/entertainers in cultural programs
• Q-1: Cultural exchange
• R-1: Religious workers
• S-7 Spouse/Children of criminal informant
• S-1 Criminal informant

If you are planning a temporary stay in the U.S and you are interested in a temporary visa or you would like to know if you are eligible to obtain a temporary visa, or you are an employer seeking a temporary visa for your employee, please contact our office. We have experienced immigration attorneys who can help you with the visa application process.

The Visa Lottery

Every year 50,000 immigrants are awarded immigrant diversity visas through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may be entered into the visa lottery to obtain a diversity immigrant visa. At Peek Law Group, we can provide you with helpful advice and knowledge to optimize your chances of success in obtaining an immigrant diversity visa. Contact our office for more information.

The Visa Waiver Program

Not all foreign nationals visiting the U.S. are required to obtain a visa. The U.S. participates in a Visa Waiver Program, which allows foreign nationals from participating countries to stay for up to 90 days in the U.S. without a visa.

The following countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program:

Visa Bulletin

Current, Upcoming and Past Visa Bulletins

Visa FAQs

What are the requirements to qualify for a visa?

To qualify for a visa, a foreign visitor must rebut a presumption that he or she is intending to immigrate.

To rebut this presumption, a visitor must demonstrate to the consulate or consular officer at the embassy that:

• The purpose of the foreign visitors stay in the U.S. is for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
• The visitor plans to stay in the U.S. for a limited and specific period;
• The visitor has evidence of sufficient funds to cover the expense of his or her stay in the U.S.;
• The visitor has evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and
• The visitor has a place of residence outside the U.S. in addition to binding ties that ensure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

If you are interested in obtaining a visa and need additional help rebutting the presumption that you are intending to visit the U.S., please contact our office. We have experienced immigration attorneys who can help guide you through the visa application process.

What is the process for obtaining a visa?

To obtain a visa, a foreign visitor must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or the consulate in the country or jurisdiction where the visitor is permanently residing. For example, a Mexican visitor with a permanent residence in Matamoros should visit the U.S. Embassy in Matamoros to obtain a visitor visa. A foreign visitor may apply for a visa outside his or her country, however, it is more difficult to qualify for a visa outside the visitor’s home country.

Anyone between the ages of 14 and 79 is required to participate in an interview process before obtaining a visa. Even though those over the age of 80 and under the age of 13 are generally not required to interview, the U.S. Embassy or consulate may request an interview with foreign visitors in those age groups. The first step for applying for a visitor visa is the interview process. The wait time for obtaining an interview can be long. Thus, it is important that a foreign visitor begin the visa application process promptly and take into account the visa application process wait time when scheduling his or her visit to the U.S.

If you have additional questions about the visa application process or if you are interested in beginning the process, please contact our office. We work with visa applicants every day and we can help you too.

What do I do if my visa application is denied?

If an applicant’s visitor visa is denied, an applicant may re-apply for a visa if he or she has evidence to overcome the denial. If you are someone whose visitor visa has been denied, please contact our office. We may be able to help you with your re-application.

H-1C2: Registered Nurses

Registered Nurse Visas are normally visas provided to registered nurses for the purpose of working in an area with a shortage of healthcare professionals as determined by the U.S. Department of Labor.

We can answer any other questions you may have. Fill out our online contact form today to speak to our Austin & San Antonio visa lawyers.