TN 44 (09-15)

RS 01901.735 Coverage of Work Performed by Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens

A. Nonimmigrant aliens temporarily in the U.S.

The Department of Homeland Security admits nonimmigrant aliens (foreign nationals) to the U.S. for a temporary period for business, pleasure, academic or vocational study, temporary employment, or to act as a representative of a foreign government or international organization. Nonimmigrant aliens receive visa classifications that designate the purpose of their visit. Most nonimmigrants can be accompanied by spouses and unmarried minor or dependent children. There are various nonimmigrant classifications, and each has specific purposes, terms, and conditions.

B. Coverage chart

The chart below provides:

  • nonimmigrant classifications;

  • applicable legal citations; and

  • if such work is covered for FICA purposes.

We determine coverage of work for Social Security purposes under Section 210 of the Social Security Act (the Act). The Act covers employment performed within the U.S., regardless of the employee's citizenship or place of residence, unless otherwise excluded under Section 210. Where we indicate below that work is covered under Social Security, the work is covered unless the Act specifically excludes the type of employment the individual performs.

 

CLASS OF ADMISSION

 

 

DESCRIPTION

 

 

CITATIONS

COVERED UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY?

A-1

Ambassador, public minister, career diplomatic, or consular officer

SS Act §210(a)(11)

20 CFR 404.1032

INA §101(a)(15)(A)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(a)(1)

 

NO

 

Immediate family members of A-1

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(1)

YES

A-2

Other foreign government official or employee

SS Act §210(a)(11)

20 CFR 404.1032

INA §101(a)(15)(A)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2 (a)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of A-2

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(1)

YES

A-3

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of an A-1 or A-2

SS Act §210(a)(11)

20 CFR 404.1032

INA §101(a)(15)(A)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2 (a)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of A-3

8 CFR 214.2(a)(9)

NO

B-1

Temporary visitor for business (including Peace Corps)

INA §101(a)(15)(B)

8 CFR 214.2(b)(1)

YES

B-2

Temporary visitor for pleasure

INA §101(a)(15)(B)

8 CFR 214.2(b)(1)

NO

C-1

Alien in continuous and immediate transit through the U.S.

INA §101(a)(15)(C)

8 CFR 214.2(c)(1)

NO

C-1D

Alien in transit through the U.S. to join a vessel as a crewman

INA §101(a)(15)(C&D)

8 CFR 214.2(c)(1)

NO

C-2

Alien in transit to U.N. Headquarters District under Sec. 11(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement with the U.N.

SS Act §210(a)(11)

20 CFR 404.1032

INA §101(a)(15)(C)

8 CFR 214.2(c)(2)

NO

C-3

Foreign government official in transit through the U.S.

SS Act §210(a)(11)

20 CFR 404.1032

INA §212(d)(8)

8 CFR 214.2(c)(3)

8 CFR 212.1(f)(3)

NO

 

Immediate family members of C-3

 

NO

CFA

Citizen of a country with a Compact of Free Association with the U.S. (Federal States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) or Palau)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(8)

Pub. L. 108-188

Pub. L. 99-658

 

YES

CW-1

Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands transitional principal worker under title VII of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008

8 CFR 214.2(2)

YES

CW-2

Spouse or minor child of CW-1 under title VII of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (Effective 11/28/09-12/31/14) May be extended by U.S. Secretary of Labor.

 

NO

D-1

Alien crewman arriving and departing on the same or different vessel or aircraft

INA §101(a)(15)(D)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(d)(1)

 

 

YES

D-2

Alien crewman departing on vessel other than one of arrival

INA §101(a)(15)(D)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(d)(1)

YES

E-1

Treaty trader, spouse, and children

INA §101(a)(15)(E)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(e)(1)

YES

Depending on treaty/totalization agreement with foreign state

(RS 01901.735C)

E-2

Treaty investor, spouse, and children

INA §101(a)(15)(E)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(e)(2)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(5)

YES

Depending on treaty/totalization agreement with foreign state

(RS 01901.735C)

E-2C

Foreign investors in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) as E-2 nonimmigrant treaty investors under title VII of the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (effective 11/28/09-12/31/14)

8 CFR 214.2(e)(23)

YES

E-3

Certain specialty occupation professions from Australia and spouse

INA §101(a)(15)(E)(iii)

YES

 

Children of E-3

 

NO

E3R

Returning E-3 principal

 

YES

F-1

Academic student

SS Act §210(a)(19)

20 CFR 404.1036(a)(1)

INA §101(a)(15)(F)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(f)

NO

F-2

Spouse or child of F-1

INA §101(a)(15)(F)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(f)(1)

NO

G-1

Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to an international organization

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

INA §101(a)(15)(G)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(g)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of G-1

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(4)

YES

Unless excluded under 210 (e.g. work for an international organization)

G-2

Other representative of a recognized foreign government member to an international organization

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

INA §101(a)(15)(G)(ii)

NO

 

Immediate family members of G-2

8 CFR 214.2(g)(9)

NO

G-3

Representative of non-recognized or non-member foreign government to international organization

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

INA §101(a)(15)(G)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(g)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of G-3

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(4)

YES

G-4

Officer or employee of such international organizations

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

INA §101(a)(15)(G)(iv)

8 CFR 214.2(g)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of G-4

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(4)

YES

G-5

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

INA §101(a)(15)(G)(v)

8 CFR 214.2(g)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of G-5

8 CFR 214.2(g)(9)

NO

H-1B

Temporary worker (other than registered nurse) with “specialty occupation” admitted on the basis of professional education, skills, and/or equivalent experience

INA §101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)

8 CFR 214.2(h)(1)(ii)(B)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9)

YES

H-2A

Temporary or seasonal agricultural worker

SS Act §210(a)(1)

20 CFR 404.1016

INA §101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)

8 CFR 214.2(h)(1)(ii)(C)

NO

H-2B

Temporary worker performing services or labor unavailable in the U.S. (including Spanish sheepherder, excluding agricultural worker)

INA §101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)

8 CFR 214.2(h)(1)(ii)(D)

YES

H-3

Temporary trainee

INA §101(a)(15)(H)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(h)(1)(ii)(E)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(9)

YES

H-4

Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, or H-3

INA §101(a)(15)(H)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv)

NO

I

Representative of foreign information media, spouse and children

SS Act §210(a)(12)

20 CFR 404.1033

INA §101(a)(15)(I)

8 CFR 214.2(i)

YES

J-1

Exchange visitor

SS Act §210(a)(19)

20 CFR 404.1036(b)

INA §101(a)(15)(J)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(j)

NO

J-2

Spouse or child of J-1

INA §101(a)(15)(J)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(j)(1)

YES

K-1

Fiancé or fiancée of a U.S. citizen entering solely to conclude a valid marriage contract

INA §101(a)(15)(K)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(k)(1)

YES

K-2

Child of K-1

INA §101(a)(15)(K)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(k)(3)

YES

K-3

Spouse of a U.S. citizen under the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act (Pub. L. 106-553)

INA §101(a)(15)(K)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(k)(7)

YES

K-4

Minor child of a K-3 under the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act (Pub. L. 106-553)

INA §101(a)(15)(K)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(k)(7)

YES

L-1

Intracompany transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel entering to continue employer or a subsidiary or affiliate thereof)

INA §101(a)(15)(L)

8 CFR 214.2(l)(1)(ii)(A)

YES

L-2

Spouse or child of L-1

INA §101(a)(15)(L)

INA §214(c)(2)(E)

8 CFR 214.2(l)(7)(ii)

YES

M-1

Student pursuing a full course of study at an established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution (other than in a language training program)

SS Act §210(a)(19)

20 CFR 404.1036(a)(2)

INA §101(a)(15)(M)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(m)

NO

M-2

Spouse or child of M-1

INA §101(a)(15)(M)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(m)

NO

N-8

Parent of alien classified SK-3 “Special Immigrant”

INA §101(a)(15)(N)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(n)(1)

YES

N-9

Child of N-8 or SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 “Special Immigrant”

INA §101(a)(15)(N)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(n)(2)

YES

NATO-1

Principal permanent representative of member state to NATO and resident staff

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094, Article 20, 5 US Treaties 1098, 8 CFR 214.2(s)(1)(i)(A)(1)

NO

 

Immediate family members of NATO-1

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

NATO-2

Other representatives of member states to NATO, including representatives, advisors, and technical experts of delegations

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

Article 13, 5 US Treaties 1094, Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794, Article 3, 4 US Treaties 1796,

8 CFR 214.2(s)(1)(i)(A)(2)

NO

 

Immediate family members of NATO-2

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

NATO-3

Official clerical staff accompanying a NATO-1 or NATO-2 nonimmigrant

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

Article 14, 5 US Treaties 1096, 8 CFR 214.2(s)(1)(i)(A)(3)

NO

 

Immediate family members of NATO-3

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

NATO-4

Officials of NATO (other than NATO-1)

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

Article 18, 5 US Treaties 1096, 8 CFR 214.2(s)(1)(A)(4)

NO

 

Immediate family members of NATO-4

 

YES

NATO-5

Expert other than NATO-4 employed by NATO mission

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

Article 21, 5 US Treaties 1100, 8 CFR 214.2(s)(1)(i)(A)(5)

NO

 

Dependents of NATO-5

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

NATO-6

Member of civilian component accompanying a force entering under NATO status of forces agreement

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

NO

 

Dependents of NATO-6

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

NATO-7

Attendant servant, or personal employee of NATO-1 through NATO-6

SS Act §210(a)(15)

20 CFR 404.1034

NO

 

Immediate family members of NATO-7

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(7)

YES

O-1

Temporary worker with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics

INA §101(a)(15)(O)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(o)(1)(ii)(A)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(13)

YES

O-2

Temporary worker accompanying or assisting an O-1

INA §101(a)(15)(O)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(o)(1)(ii)(B)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(13)

YES

O-3

Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2

INA §101(a)(15)(O)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(o)(1)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(o)(6)(iv)

NO

Unless granted employment authorization and work is not excluded under Section 210 of the SS Act

P-1

Temporary worker, internationally recognized athlete or entertainer for a specific competition or performance

INA §101(a)(15)(P)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(p)(1)(ii)(A)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(14)

YES

P-2

Temporary worker, artist or entertainer under a reciprocal exchange program with a similar organization of a foreign state

INA §101(a)(15)(P)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(p)(1)(ii)(B)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(14)

YES

P-3

Temporary worker, artist or entertainer under a program that is “culturally unique”

INA §101(a)(15)(P)(iii)

8 CFR 214.2(p)(1)(ii)(C)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(14)

YES

P-4

Spouse or child of P-1, P-2, or P-3

INA §101(a)(15)(P)(iv)

8 CFR 214.2(p)(1)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D)

NO

Q-1

Temporary worker in an international cultural exchange program

SS Act §210(a)(19)

20 CFR 404.1036(b)(2)

INA §101(a)(15)(Q)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(q)(1)(iii)

NO

R-1

Temporary worker to perform work in religious occupations

INA §101(a)(15)(R)

8 CFR 214.2(r)(1)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(16)

YES

R-2

Spouse and children of R-1

INA §101(a)(15)(R)

8 CFR 214.2(r)(4)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(r)(4)(ii)(B)

NO

S-5

Informant against a criminal organization or enterprise

INA §101(a)(15)(S)(i)

8 CFR 214.2(t)(1)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(21)

YES

S-6

Informant in counterterrorism matter

INA §101(a)(15)(S)(ii)

8 CFR 214.2(t)(2)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(21)

YES

S-7

Spouse or child of S-5 or S-6

INA §101(a)(15)(S)(ii)(IV)

8 CFR 214.2(t)(3)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(21)

YES

T-1

Victim of severe forms of trafficking in persons

INA §101(a)(15)(T)(i)

8 CFR 214.11(b)

8 CFR 214.11(l)(4)

YES

T-2

Spouse of T-1

INA §101(a)(15)(T)(ii)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(1)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(25)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(10)

YES

T-3

Child of T-1

INA §101(a)(15)(T)(ii)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(1)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(25)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(10)

YES

T-4

Parent of T-1 if T-1 is under 21

INA §101(a)(15)(T)(ii)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(1)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(25)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(10)

YES

T-5

Unmarried sibling under age 18 years on the date such aliens T visa application was filed

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(25)

8 CFR 214.11(o)(10)

YES

T-6

Adult or minor child of a T-1’s derivative

INA §101(a)(15)(T)(ii)

8 CFR 274a.12(c)(25)

8 CFR 214.11(k)(10)

YES

TC

Professional business person under U.S.-Canada Free Trade Act superseded by TN visa classification

 

YES

TN

Alien seeking entry to the U.S. as a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) professional

INA §214(e)(2)

8 CFR 214.6(a)

8 CFR 274a.12(b)(19)

YES

TD

Spouse or child of TN

INA §214(e)(2)

8 CFR 214.6(j)

8 CFR 214.6(j)(3)

NO

TPS

 

Person in temporary protected status

INA §244

8 CFR 244.12

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(12)

YES

U-1

Victim of certain criminal activity

INA §101(a)(15)(U)(i)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(19)

8 CFR 214.14(c)(7)

YES

U-2

Spouse of U-1

INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(20)

8 CFR 214.14(f)(7)

YES

U-3

Child of U-1

INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(20)

8 CFR 214.14(f)(7)

YES

U-4

Parent of U-1 if U-1 is under 21

INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(20)

YES

U-5

Sibling of U-1

INA §101(a)(15)(U)(ii)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(20)

8 CFR 214.14(f)(7)

YES

V-1

Spouse of lawful permanent resident under the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act (Pub. L. 106-553)

INA §101(a)(15)(V)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(15)

YES

V-2

Child of a lawful permanent resident under the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act (Pub. L. 106-553)

INA §101(a)(15)(V)

8 CFR 214.15(a)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(15)

YES

V-3

Derivative child of V-1 or V-2

INA §101(a)(15)(V)

8 CFR 274a.12(a)(15)

YES

WB

Temporary visitor for business admitted without visa under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program

INA §217

8 CFR 217.1-7

NO

WT

Temporary visitor for pleasure admitted without visa under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program

INA §217

8 CFR 217.1-7

NO

C. References

  • RS 01901.450 Coverage Under International Totalization Agreements

  • RS 01901.740 Foreign Students, Exchange Visitors, and International Cultural Exchange Visitors

  • RM 10211.420 Employment Authorization for Non-immigrants


To Link to this section - Use this URL:
http://policy.ssa.gov/poms.nsf/lnx/0301901735
RS 01901.735 - Coverage of Work Performed by Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens - 09/16/2015
Batch run: 10/21/2024
Rev:09/16/2015