Today, the team of immigration lawyers at McBean Law will talk about the J-1 visa and what options are available for J-1 visa holders.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
What Options Do You Have?
See this topic on our YouTube channel – Employment-Based Options For J-1 Visa Holders Who Want To Stay In US!
So, you’re in the United States and you want to stay here to work and ultimately get a green card as a result of the work you’re doing in the U.S. Well, then you might be wondering what options you have, and what steps you need to take to reach these immigration goals.
Waiver Issues?
The first thing we want you to think about is this – do you need a waiver?
Does your J-1 visa have a 2-year residency rule, and if so, will you need a waiver for this two year residency requirement in order to remain in the United States after this time period has expired? If you need the waiver, you have to act very quickly before your visa expires. Otherwise it could be a problem for you down the road.
And if you have this rule stamped on your visa, is it correct? We’ve seen cases where clients have had it, but their program is not even subject to this rule in the first place. So, we’ve contacted the state department and gotten an advisory opinion to determine whether that was a correct designation or not.
Options Available
If you have an employer willing to sponsor you, you can transition to the H1B visa. This would give you three years in the U.S. with the possibility to extend the period to 6 years, or even a bit longer if needed. You need to work in a specific field or industry for this to be possible, so please consult with an experienced immigration lawyer for assistance.
Another possible option is the E2 treaty investor visa, which you can use if you want to invest a certain amount of money into starting a business in the United States, otherwise known as a bona fide enterprise. If you’re in the U.S., you can file the I-129 to change your status to the E2. If you’re abroad, you’ll need to go through the State Department’s process.
Additional Tip
The last thing we’ll leave you with is this – make sure you do not overstay your J1 visa!
Visa overstay will lead to you accruing unlawful status in the United States, and your options will become much more limited at this point. You will suffer extreme hardship in your immigration journey unless you have a qualifying U.S. citizen relative who can petition for you, so make sure this doesn’t happen!
Planning Your Roadmap to Success
Whether you are seeking assistance with visa applications, green cards, citizenship, or any other immigration matter, we are here to help you every step of the way. Our mission is not just to provide legal services but to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to achieve their immigration goals. With proper legal counsel, persistent preparation, and meticulous attention to detail, your success can become reality too. Partner with professionals like McBean Law to chart your visa journey’s triumph.
If you are interested in more topics like this, please consider subscribing to our newsletter to get weekly updates on immigration news, relevant topics, and more! You can also find us on YouTube where we do weekly Q&A sessions.
LaToya McBean Pompy is an immigration lawyer who immigrated to the United States from Jamaica. Her experience sparked an interest in helping many families be together in the U.S. by founding McBean Law. If you need help with your or a loved one’s visa, contact us here or call us today at (888)-462-4006 to schedule a private consultation with LaToya and her team of New York immigration lawyers who are here to help you.
