Temporary Visas

In general, "anyone can apply for a [temporary] visa in Moscow or the other U.S. Consulates in the Russian Federation" even if one is not a Russian citizen. However, one's chances of having the visa approved are lower when one does not apply in one's home country because U.S. Consular officials may not be able to properly evaluate the application for non-Russian citizens, so one's chances of approval may be lower outside of one's home country. The U.S. Embassy states:

While anyone can apply for a visa in Moscow or the other U.S. Consulates in the Russian Federation, it will be more difficult for a consular officer to determine the eligibility of visa applicants who are not residents of the consular district where the interview is conducted. On the other hand, a consular officer should be able to evaluate the visa qualifications of non-Russian citizens who live in Russia just as easily as those of Russian applicants.

Under certain circumstances, non-U.S. citizens are permitted to enter the U.S. without a visa (see section on Travel Without a Visa, e.g., Visa Waiver (for visitors), Citizens of Bermuda, Citizens of Canada, Citizens of Mexico, Citizens of Micronesia and the Marshall Islands).

However, unless a non-U.S. citizen qualifies for one of those travel without a visa provisions, the general requirement is that in order for a non-U.S. citizen to work in the United States for any period of time, receive training, or study, or visit the country: he or she must obtain an appropriate temporary visa.

The U.S. Government has eliminated the $50 (US) reciprocal issuance fee for all non-immigrant visas for Indian citizens, effective immediately, according to U.S. Ambassador to India David C. Mulford, in a press release on November 9, 2006. However, Visa applicants, who are Indian citizens, will still be required to pay the application fee of $100 (US). The Consulate General of the U.S. announced:

Many foreign programmers, and other professionals, who would like to work for YouTube and Google wonder whether YouTube and Google sponsor individuals for H-1B visas. As you can see from the following chart, Google does indeed sponsor H-1B workers. Therefore, after the acquisition of YouTube by Google, Google will likely continue to sponsor individuals for H-1B visas provided that the H-1B quota, established by the U.S. government, has not run out.

The Labor Dept. Administrative Review Board ("the Board") addressed what circumstances constitute termination of employment for purposes of the employer's H-1B obligations in the case: Amtel Group of Florida v. Yongmahapakorn, 04-087 (ARB 9/29/06).

The following is a list of nonimmigrant U.S. Classifications and Visas. (click the "read more" link if you don't see the list)