Non-Immigrant Visas
Temporary Worker & Intra Company Transfers (H & L)
Applicants who wish to work in a specialty occupation that requires the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge are classified as H-1B applicants. The L-1 classification permits international companies to temporarily transfer qualified employees to a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of that same employer in the U.S. in a managerial, executive, or specialized knowledge capacity. An applicant seeking to work in a specialty occupation must have adequate qualifications and/or significant experience in the specialty occupation.
In order to be considered as a non-immigrant under the above classifications the applicant's prospective employer or agent must file Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security (USCIS). Once approved, the employer or agent is sent a Notice of Action, Form I-797, the notification of petition approval. It should be noted that the approval of a petition shall not guarantee visa issuance to an applicant found to be ineligible under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The applicant still has the burden of establishing their eligibility for the appropriate visa during the course of the interview.
Family Members (H-4 & L-2)
The spouse and unmarried, minor children of an applicant under H1B and L classifications may also be classified as non-immigrants in order to accompany or join the principal applicant. A person who has received a visa as the spouse or child of an H1B visa recipient may not accept employment in the United States. However, spouses of L-1 visa holders (L-2 spouses) may engage in employment with an "employment authorized" endorsement or appropriate work permit. In both cases, the principal applicant must be able to show that he or she will be able to support his or her family in the United States.
How to Apply for the Visa
All applicants must complete the nonimmigrant visa application form, submit educational documents, pay the application fee, and appear in person for an interview. All applications for nonimmigrant visas must be submitted through American Express Bank Ltd Travel Related Services offices, a participating branch of American Express in Pakistan (see a list of all the offices). No applications will be accepted at the Embassy or by mail. American Express will schedule the interview appointment, and successful applicants will be able to pick up their issued visa from the American Express branch where they submitted their application.
The application form is available through American Express and on the State Department's web site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html
The nonimmigrant visa application fee is now $131 or the equivalent amount in Pakistani rupees. The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid at one of the participating American Express offices. American Express charges an additional fee to process the application.
Required Documentation for Principal Applicant
- DS-156 Form
- DS-157 Form
- DS-158 Form
- Parental Information Form
- Current 2" x 2" photo showing hairline and ears on white background - not retouched or scanned
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond planned date of U.S. entry
- Visa application fee of US$131 or Pakistani Rupee equivalent
- Form I-797, notice of approval
- Original copies of all educational documents (see below)
Educational Document Requirements
All H-1B and L-1 applicants are required to submit educational documents for verification. There is no additional fee associated with this process. Interviews will not be granted if the documents are not submitted to American Express with application forms. H-4 and L-2 applicants do not need submit educational documents.
The required documents are:
- Original certificate / degree from Matric onwards along with transcripts of degrees.
- Photocopies of certificates and degrees from Matric onwards.
- Equivalence of Inter Board Committee of Chairmen/IBCC (certificates and the grades awarded by the accredited Examination Board/Authority/Syndicate and institutions recognized by the Education Authority of the country of origin will be considered for equivalence) in case of O&A level.
- Certificates from American High School.
- Degrees/Diplomas obtained from studies undertaken in foreign educational institutions (equivalence of HEC in the case of Bachelor or Master Degree from abroad).
- Copy of National Identity Card.
- Higher Education Commission Attestation Application Form
Applicants should make two photocopies of these documents. One copy should be submitted with originals. The applicant should keep the other copy for their records.
Required Documentation for Derivative Applicant (H-4 & L-2)
All applicants including children applying for H-4 and L-2 temporary worker dependent visas must present the following documents when applying:
- A passport valid for travel to the US for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S.
- A completed visa application form DS-156. Every applicant must also complete the form DS-157.
- A copy of the H-1B holders notice of approval from I-797
- Parental information form
Applicant for H-4 and L-2 should bring the following documents to the visa interview. The interviewing officer may or may not choose to look at the documents:
- Original marriage certificate for spouse and birth certificate for the child
- Marriage ceremony photographs (do not bring entire photo albums).
- Clear copies of H-1B visa holder's passport all 36 pages
- A letter from the H-1B visa holder's employer confirming continued employment
- U.S. tax returns and W2 forms for each year the H-1B visa holder has worked in the United States
- H-1B visa holder's most recent pay slips (3 months) from the United States employer.
All applicants over age 14 must appear in person for an interview. There will be no exceptions to this requirement. An L-1 visa applicant covered by a ‘Blanket Petition' is required to pay a $500 fee at the time of interview. All applicants for H-1B & L-1 visas need to submit their original educational documents along with the application to American Express Courier Services.
After submitting documents and paying the required fees, applicants will be assigned an appointment by American Express. Please do not send any other documents or have sponsors send any documents directly to us. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, these documents will not be processed. Further information on visa procedures is available on the telephone any working day between 1230hrs to 1530hrs at 051-208-2121.