Embassy of the United States

Nonimmigrant Work Visas

Petition-based (H/L/O/P/Q/R)

Applicants for H, L, O, P, Q, or R visas must submit the following items:

• A passport valid for travel to the United States with any plastic/leather cases removed. (Note: A passport with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States is required for certain countries, unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions.  Korean and certain other country passports are exempt from this requirement.)
  
  Please obtain a new passport prior to your interview if:
  
  

  1. the biographic page of your passport is separating from the remainder of your passport, or
  2. your passport is otherwise torn, damaged or mutilated.

  U.S. visas cannot be placed in damaged passports.

• A completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-156) with photo (See "photo requirements" ) for each applicant.  All applicants are required to use the Electronic Visa Application DS-156 Form (EVAF). You must type the information required into the appropriate spaces on the DS-156 then print the completed DS-156. 
  
  
• Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is required to be submitted with Form DS-156 by all male nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants between the age of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality or place of application.
  
  
• A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee. The fee may be paid at any of the bank's branches in Korea. There is a branch only a short walk from the Embassy; click for map. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed.
  
  
• A copy of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Notice of Action (I-797) showing petition (I-129) approval.  Even if your petition has been approved, if the request for a change of status or extension was denied, please bring your denial letter from USCIS.
  
  
  
• A copy of I-129 with supporting documents (except for Blanket L-1 visa applicant).
  
  
• An employment letter or Job offer letter from your U.S. employer confirming your employment. The letter must be dated within one month of your interview date.
  
  
• A copy of your most recent W-2 form or pay slips, if you have been working in the U.S.
  
  
• Korean income tax document, from tax office and current employment letter from company in Korea-must be dated within one month of the application (mandatory for initial L visa applications).
  
  
• Entry/Exit record from Korean Immigration for all applicants. (See "How to Obtain a Certificate of Entry/Exit Record" Please note that your most recent entry into Korea is not required.)



• Proof of principal applicant's current H, L, O, P, Q, or R status in the U.S., if you are a spouse or child applying without the principal application.
  
  
• Notice of Appearance (G-28) if represented by a lawyer.
  
  
• All non-English documents must be translated into English. Does not need to be notarized.
  
  
•  A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company (Ilyang: 1588-0002; Hanjin:1588-0011) within Korea.  Courier service receipt will be needed to return your passport to you after the visa issuance.  Each passport has a separate courier service form attached.

Additional Documents

For former F visa holder only:
school transcripts and copy of employment authorization card if you had an optional practical training.

For former J visa holder only:
If you are still subject to 212(e) and applying for H or L visa, please provide the Approval Notice of the Application to waive Foreign Residence Requirement.

For Blanket L:
1. Three copies of the approval notice for the blanket L petition.
2. One original and two copies of I-129S forms with signature of responsible officer.
3. $500 fraud prevention and detection fee; The U.S. Embassy collects the $500 fraud prevention and detection fee for Blanket L-visa applicants. This fee does not apply to the spouse/children of applicant. The fee will be payable at the time of the interview. No personal checks are acceptable and all fees are non-refundable. 

• Cash (US dollar or Korean Won-equivalent to US dollar with exchange rates slightly higher than bank selling rate to avoid handling numerous coins of small denomination)  However combination of US Dollar & Korean Won is not accepted to the system.
  
  
• Credit Card
  

For Dependents:

•  Please submit the following documents to prove family relationship. Each certificate must be issued within one month of the application date.
  1. The former Family Census Register/Jejeok Deung-Bon (one copy for the entire family)
  2. Certificate of Family Relationship (one copy for the entire family)
  3. Basic Certificate for each person
  4. Marital Status for each person
  5. Adoption Certificate for each children
  
  
  • A copy of I-797 (notice action), and a clear photocopy of H, L, O, P, or R visa, if your family members apply separately.
    
    
  • Follow this link for information on applying for dependent of H, L, O, P or R visas.

Updated: November 13, 2009