Non-Immigrant Visas
Temporary Worker Visas
There are several visa types for individuals wishing to work temporarily in the United States, including H Visas for temporary workers, L Visas for intra-company transfers, and P Visas for athletes, artists, and entertainers. Applicants for these visa classifications must an approved I-129 petition from the Department of Homeland Security to be eligible. Application requirements and general information about H, L, and P Visas are provided below. General application procedures are also outlined in the How to Apply section.
Applicants for P or H visas with petitions for groups of five or more applicants must contact the Embassy to schedule a special group interview.
Temporary Workers (H Visas)
H1B Visas: An H1B Visa is designed for foreign nationals seeking to work temporarily in the United States in a specialty occupation which requires the theoretrical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge, usually associated with the completion fo an advanced educational degree.
The H1B Visa is a petition-based visa, meaning that a prospective employer in the U.S. must file the appropriate paperwork with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to secure a petition authorizing a foreign national to work in the U.S. Applicants for H1B Visas must have an approved I-129 petition from USCIS before applying for a visa at the Embassy.
H2B Visas: An H2B Visa is designed for foreign nationals seeking to work temporarily in the United States as a skilled tradesman for a U.S. based employer.
The H2B Visa is a petition-based visa, meaning that a prospective employer in the U.S. must file the appropriate paperwork with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to secure a petition authorizing a foreign national to work in the U.S. Applicants for H1B Visas must have an approved I-129 petition from USCIS before applying for a visa at the Embassy.
Intra-Company Transferees (L Visas)
Companies that wish to have a worker currently based in Trinidad and Tobago join its team in the United States must file the appropriate paperwork with USCIS to secure either an individual I-129 or a blanket petition which authorizes the worker or workers it seeks to transfer to take up employment in the U.S. To be eligible for an L1 Visa, a worker must have been employed by the company for which s/he will work in the United States for 6 months to one year depending on the type of petition, blanket or individual. In addition, the employee must possess specialized or managerial skills needed to support the operations of the U.S. entity.
An additional US$500 "fraud and detection fee" will be applied for all applicants for L1 visas who are included in a blanket petition. The fee can be paid at the U.S. Embassy upon receipt of the application.
Athletes, Artists, and Entertainers (P Visas)
To be eligible for a P Visa, an individual, group, or team must be internationally recognized, coming to the United States to perform under a program that is culturally unique, or be part of a reciprocal cultural exchange.
P Visas are petition-based, meaning that a prospective employer or event host in the U.S. must file the appropriate paperwork with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to secure a petition authorizing an artist, athlete, or performer, or a group of artists, athletes, or performers, to work in the U.S. Applicants for P Visas must have an approved I-129 petition from USCIS before applying for a visa at the Embassy. In addition, applicants must be able to demonstrate non-immigrant eligibility - specifically, a permanent residence abroad and strong ties to Trinidad and Tobago.
Application Requirements
Applicants for H, L, or P visas should bring the following documents to their interview:
Approved I-129 petition;
A current passport as well as any previous passports containing U.S. visas;
- One passport sized photo (2 inches by 2 inches) with a white background;
A TT Post application receipt;
A receipt for payment of the "fraud and detection fee" (for L1 blanket petition applicants only);
H1B and L Visa applicants with dependents must provide proof of the relationship to his/her spouse and/or children (e.g., marriage and birth certificates.); and
- P Visa applicants must bring evidence of strong ties to Trinidad and Tobago, such as job letters and bank statements.
NOTE: Submission of any fraudulent document may render you permanently ineligible for a visa to the United States.
Visa Services
Non-Immigrant Visas
General Information
Non-Immigrant Visa Types
Tourist/Business Visas
Student Visas
