Your Rights and Protections

If you are coming to the United States as a temporary visitor for employment or education, as the foreign-citizen fiancé(e) or spouse of a U.S. citizen, or as the foreign-citizen spouse of a lawful permanent resident (LPR), as provided by U.S. immigration laws, we welcome you to this country. 

For many temporary visitors coming to the United States to work or study and for many immigrants, we are aware that English may not be your native language and that you may not be familiar with U.S. laws. Therefore, we want to make certain you are aware that, if you should encounter problems in the United States, such as abuse or domestic violence, for example, you have rights under U.S. laws, and you can get help. 

Temporary Visitor (Nonimmigrant) Visa Applicants: If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa in one of the categories below, review our Rights & Protections for Temporary Workers and Education-Based Nonimmigrants webpage and pamphlet.

Purpose of Travel Type of Visa
Temporary Employment/Work Personal employee, A-3
Domestic employee, B-1
Worker, H-1B, H-1B1
Worker, H-2A, H-2B
Personal employee, G-5
Personal employee, NATO-7
Temporary Education-Exchange Exchange Visitor, J-1

Immigrant Visa Applicants: If you are applying for a nonimmigrant K or an immigrant visa in one of the categories listed below, review our Rights & Protections for Foreign Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents webpage and pamphlet.

Purpose of Travel Type of Visa
Marry U.S. Citizen - Travel to immigrate Fiancé(e), K-1

Nonimmigrant Spouse of U.S. Citizen

Spouse, K-3
Immigrant Spouse of a U.S. Citizen IR-1/CR-1
Immigrant Spouse of a Lawful Permanent Resident (numerically limited) F2A