The person applying for the visa or green card petition. Often the employer sponsors the visa or green card for the foreign national. At times, this person is also called the petitioner.

A compliance check performed by a government agency to ensure all regulations and laws are followed.

The DOL audited 30 percent of PERM applications in fiscal year 2014, according to the Office of Foreign Labor Certification.

The individual benefiting from the nonimmigrant or immigrant visa status if the application is approved.

A limit on the number of visa applications processed for a particular category. A cap applies to H-1B visas, which limits the number of new applications processed annually to 85,000. 

An F-1 OPT status extension granted to student visa holders waiting for their H-1B transfer of status to begin. Due to the H-1B cap season, a status gap occurs when the student’s F-1 OPT status ends on or after April 1st and the H-1B start date has yet to take effect.

The OPT employment authorization extension is granted through September 30 of the calendar year the H-1B petition is being filed, but only if the employment start date in H-1B status will begin on October 1.

A request filed with USCIS stating an individual would like to officially change the purpose of his or her visit to the United States. For example, foreign students on F-1 visas often transfer to H-1B statuses to gain work authorization.

The procedure beneficiaries of an immigration petition, who are outside of the United States, use to apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy overseas.

A program that allows active students to accept paid alternative work/study or any other required internship or practicum that employers offer though cooperative agreements with the school.

An individual who performs casual domestic services for families and homes, such as housekeeping and child caring.

A notation on certain nonimmigrant forms (e.g., I-94) indicating that the individual, such as an F-1 student visa holder, is authorized to remain in the United States as long as he or she maintains the status.

Describes whether or not an FN meets the necessary visa requirements, such as five years of work experience or a four-year bachelor’s degree.

A series of civil fines or criminal penalties imposed on employers for violating regulations, such as hiring or recruiting FNs without the proper work authorization documentation.

A Web-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9 to data from DHS and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment authorization.

An FN admitted temporarily to the United States in J-1 Exchange Visitor status to teach, instruct, observe, lecture, study, consult, demonstrate skills or receive training.

Refers to the employee’s ability to make senior-level decisions without much oversight. This term is often used in L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager eligibility requirements.

The act of renewing a visa category to extend the length of stay in the current status. For example, H-1B visas can be renewed for up to three years at a time.

A term describing an individual who has risen to the very top of the eld of endeavor and is known internationally or nationally for his or her achievements. For example: O-1 visa holders are expected to have extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.

A person who is not a citizen of the host country in which he or she is temporarily residing. All nonimmigrant visa holders, such as L-1A or TN recipients, are FNs.

A term used for individuals living in the United States permanently. The majority of work visa holders have nonimmigrant status, denoting the temporary nature of their stay in the United States, while green card holders have immigrant status.

An accurate written explanation of the job duties and requirements to be performed by the FN. For example, during the PERM application process, employers are required to write a detailed job description, which the DOL uses to determine the prevailing wage.

Any person who is not a citizen of the United States but is residing in the United States under a legal permanent status — also called green card holder.

In order to impart a fair visa approval process, the act of government agencies, such as USCIS, randomly selecting visas to process when the number of visas led surpasses the approval allotment.

Refers to the ability of the employee to supervise and direct the work of other employees and to manage the organization, department, subdivision, function or another component of the organization.

This term often applies to the L-1 or E-2 Treaty Visa.

The maximum amount of time an FN is allowed to stay in the United States under a specific visa category. Not all classifications have max-out dates, but others — such as L-1As — have specific time frames (six years).

An act established in 1993 that created special economic and trade relationships between the United States, Canada and Mexico. As a result, nationals from Canada and Mexico have the ability to apply for a special TN nonimmigrant classification to travel and stay in the United States to engage in business activities at a professional level.

A person who, though not a citizen of the United States, has permanent allegiance to the United States (e.g., people born in American Samoa or Swains Island).

The manner in which a person not born in the United States voluntarily becomes a U.S. citizen. The citizenship process includes a biometrics appointment, applicant interview, English and civics test and oath ceremony.

An FN who is admitted to the United States for a specific, temporary period of time. Nonimmigrant visa categories include: H, L, O, P, J, F and TN.

A work authorization program available to foreign students with an F-1 student visa status so they may obtain employment while studying in the United States.

Applies to an FN residing in the United States without a valid or legal status.

Wages or other remuneration. This term is often used during the prevailing wage process as part of PERM labor certification.

A step of the green card application process that tests the labor market to ensure there are no qualified U.S. citizens available to perform the job duties for which an employer is seeking to sponsor an FN for legal permanent residency.

A term used to describe a visa application. For example, Form I-129 is the standard immigrant petition establishing that an employer wishes to sponsor an FN for a H-1B temporary work visa.

Refers to the foreign national who is being sponsored for work authorization by an employer.

This is an expedited adjudication process for an additional fee requiring USCIS to take action within 15 calendar days of receiving a petition for certain visas or certain parts of the green card application process.

The hourly wage or salary paid to the majority of workers within a particular area. This is used during the green card application’s PERM requirement or in other non-immigrant work authorization categories to establish a fair working wage that doesn’t undercut U.S. workers in a given industry.

The time it takes a visa or green card to complete processing. Once accepted for processing, a work visa may take months; however, green cards can span years due to backlogs.

Describes the actions required during the PERM process that tests the labor market within a given area to determine there are no qualified U.S. workers available to perform the job duties.

It usually requires placing a job order on the DOL’s website, employer’s website and in a Sunday print publication and other outlets.

Rules issued by an executive authority, such as a government department or agency in the executive branch, to carry out the intent of the law.

A notice sent by USCIS informing visa applicants that there wasn’t enough information provided or that they need more clarification in the application in order to make a determination. Employers and FNs must resend the requested information to USCIS in order for their visa to be approved. Failure to do so may result in a visa denial.

Specialized knowledge relates to an individual possessing an advanced level of knowledge or specialized skill relating to the company’s product, services, research, equipment, techniques or management. The individual must be one of few employees with the same level of advanced knowledge.

An occupation which requires theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge in architecture, engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, social sciences, medicine and health, education, business specialties, accounting, law, theology or the arts. It also requires the attainment of a bachelor’s or higher degree in a specific specialty, or its equivalent, as a minimum for entry into the occupation in the United States.

The act of a company petitioning the U.S. government on behalf of an FN for the purpose of requesting a work visa or green card. The employer must prove it has an available job position and the FN recruit has the necessary qualifications. This term is also used to refer to nonimmigrant visas.

The date an FN recruit can start employment in the United States as stated on the visa approval notice.

The act of switching visa classifications. Foreign students in F-1 statuses often transfer to H-1Bs during their last year of schooling. Also known as a change of status.

A time period for which the visa remains valid. For example, a B-1 visa has a validity period of up to 10 years, depending on the FN’s country of citizenship. However, the traveler on a B-1 visa may only be admitted in six month increments.

A term used to measure the current state of a U.S. visa application (e.g., whether it’s been received, accepted for processing, approved, denied or rejected).

Skills or knowledge obtained on the job that can be used to substitute years of study at an academic institution.

Three years of work experience is equivalent to one year of study.