The Green Card is a document that gives you the right to reside indefinitely in the USA. However, if you do not want to live permanently in this country, the law allows you to stay there for a while without the Green Card. How long will you be allowed to live there without the precious green sesame?
Reside less than 90 days in the USA without the Green Card
Whether for a business trip or for tourism, you do not need to have a green card if you do not plan to reside more than 90 days in the USA. The Visa Waiver Program allows nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States without a Green Card and without a visa.
The travelers concerned must nevertheless apply for an electronic travel authorization. This document is also called the Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA.
To benefit from the Visa Waiver Program for the United States, you must:
- be a citizen of a program beneficiary country;
- justify an ESTA;
- present the passport of a beneficiary country of the EPI.
The period of validity of this passport must extend over a period of six months beyond the intended stay. As for the length of stay, it is limited to a maximum of 90 days.
Reside in the USA for more than 90 days without a green card
If your intention is to go to work in the USA without living there permanently, then you do not need a green card. However, you will need a US non-immigrant work visa.
There are also several kinds. Each type of visa has a period of validity beyond which you will no longer be allowed to reside in the country. It should also be noted that the procedure for obtaining a visa and working in the USA without a green card is almost always the same. The visas available are type B, type J1, type F, and type C. There is also the type H1B, type L, and type E visa.
The type B visa is intended for business or pleasure trips of more than 90 days without a green card. It allows you to reside for a period of 1, 3, and 10 years in the USA, without however staying more than 6 months in a row in the territory. As for the J1 type visa, it is intended for those who wish to do a professional internship in the USA. It is issued for a period of 18 months.
The type F VISA is made for non-immigrant students. They can use it to continue their education at an American university. It is valid for the duration of the studies without a green card. Type C VISA is required from people who do not have a temporary residence permit.
With the H1B visa, highly qualified people recruited by an American employer can take on a specific position. It is valid for 3 years, renewable once. The L-type visa is for individuals from Japan, Germany, and India. Its period of validity is between 3 months and 5 years. For its part, the type E visa is intended for people wishing to invest in the United States. Its duration is 2 years renewable.