Expert: Joel Linton - 3/5/2004

Question
From your profile I'm not certain if this fits within your expertise, but let me run it by you in case you would know something about it or know where we can get the information.

Our Bible study group needs to bring an individual to this country from Jamaica to assist with a project we're working on. He'll volunteer his time, which is what we need. All of us work and don't have the time to give to the project that is needed.

Does he need a special passport to do this? Or can we just book him a flight, bring him here to work on this thing, and then fly him back to Jamaica?

What is the maximum amount of time we can keep him here? Or does it matter? Although the project in question can be completed (and needs to be completed) within a few weeks, we will have other things he can do, which might extend out to perhaps six months.

Thanks for any information or direction you can give me on this.  

Answer
I am not a legal expert but venture to offer you a response that all most visitors to the USA need visas and passports of their home countries.  There are some passports/countries of the world that do not need visas but those are few and far between.  Travellers from Jamaica probably definitely need a Visa that has to be applied for in the home country at the US Embassy or Consulate.  You can check this on various US Govt websites to make sure -- but I am almost 100% sure.

There are very strict requirements (post 9/11) and this person will need your assistance (letters of explanation why he is coming to the US/who will fund his trip/ who will cover expenses/accomodation details etc) ... the visa application will detail such support.  The next aspect to consider is the time it will take for the application.  I guess there could be "urgent" requests.  Be prepared for some beaurocratic frustrations !
Then when the visa is granted, the actual time allowed to stay in the USA will be arbitralily assessed by the immigration official at the port of entry (airport)who will stamp such details in the passport -- so eventhough the visa is granted for 6 months, this does not mean the person is allowed to stay for 6 months -- the immigration official could stamp and allow 30 days for instance.  I am sure that if you need this person in the USA for longer, there is another process of application that allows for this -- again very time consuming. So in summary:
1.) Person needs a valid passport of home country
2.) Person needs USA visa
3.) You will need to supply visa application support documentation if requested.
4.) Visa details can be extended by special request.

Where are you located ? The reason I ask is that in most major US cities there is a US Immigration office that will assist with any other questions.

Trust that this was somewhat helpful to you and I wish you luck and success in the projects undertaken.

Regards

Joel Linton