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发表于 13-11-2014 17:13:27|来自:台湾
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U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement Professional (H1B1) Visa
Overview
The U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, which took effect on January 1, 2004, created a
new class of non-immigrant work visa for Singaporean citizens: the H1B1. Only Singaporean
citizens are eligible as principal applicants. Singapore Permanent Residents who are citizens
of other nations are not eligible for the H1B1, but non-Singaporean spouses and children of
qualified Singaporean H1B1 applicants are eligible for H-4 visas as dependent family
members.
The visa allows you to live and work in the United States accompanied by your spouse and
dependent children.
Qualifications
To qualify for the USSFTA Professional visa, you must meet the following criteria:
1. The position must be a specialty occupation; that is, it must require theoretical and practical
application of a body of specialized knowledge. Some examples of specialty occupations are
jobs in the fields of engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, computer sciences,
medicine and health care, education, biotechnology, and business specialties such as
management and human resources.
2. You must have a post-secondary degree involving at least four year of study in your field of
specialization.
3. You cannot be self-employed or an independent contractor.
4. The period of employment in the U.S. must be temporary, so you must demonstrate nonimmigrant
intent. Note: this requirement makes the USSFTA Professional visa different from
the traditional H-1B Temporary Worker visa, as applicants for traditional H-1b visas do not
have to demonstrate that they intend to return to Singapore when the temporary job is
finished. Singaporeans are still eligible to apply for traditional H-1b visas.
5. Unlike a traditional H-1B visa, the employer does not have to submit Form I-129, Petition
for Nonimmigrant Worker, to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services
(Department of Homeland Security) and you do not need to obtain a Notice of Action, Form
I-797.
H1B1 visas are multiple-entry and valid for a maximum of 18 months. Extensions and
renewals are allowed.
Supporting Documents
In addition to the items listed below, all H visa applicants must submit the Standard Non-
Immigrant Visa Application Documents.
1. Job letter from your U.S. employer specifying the details of the temporary position
(including job responsibilities, salary and benefits, duration, description of the employing
company, qualifications of the applicant, etc.) and confirming the employment offer.
2. Certified form ETA 9035 or 9035E from the U.S. Department of Labor provided by the
employer; information on how to file for this can be found at the Department of Labor
website. The form must be annotated "SINGAPORE H1B1."
As with many other types of non-immigrant visas, to qualify for the H1B1 you must
demonstrate that you do not intend to immigrate to the United States. Every applicant’s
situation is different, so how individual applicants demonstrate this—including which
documents are submitted—will vary greatly from person to person.
Dependents
Only spouses and children of H1B1 work visa holders are eligible for derivative (H4) visas.
Parents and other family members are NOT eligible for H4 visas. They may visit a worker for
a temporary period of time if they apply for and receive a tourist visa, or on the Visa Waiver
Program if they are eligible.
Spouses and children, whether accompanying or following to join a worker, should submit a
visa application and recent passport-size photograph for each person. Spouses and children
must present a copy of their marriage certificate or birth certificate, respectively.
PLEASE NOTE: Spouses and children of H visa applicants who are not Singaporean are
strongly encouraged to apply for their visas at the same time as the principal applicant,
regardless of whether they have firm plans to travel to the United States. If the H visa
holder is not present for the application of their non-Singaporean spouse and children, the
applicants may be asked to apply in their home country, where their marriage and birth
documents can be properly verified.
More Information
For information about non-immigrant visas, please see the non-immigrant visa section of
the U.S. Department of State's Consular affairs website. If you have a specific question
about your case, please e-mail the Singapore consular section.
For additional information about how to file a Form I-130 with the USCIS Chicago lockbox,
please see the USCIS website or contact USCIS by phone at 1-800-375-5283 |
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