The three new nonimmigrant visa categories available to citizens of Singapore are the:

• E-1 Treaty Trader visa,
• E-2 Treaty Investor visa, and
• H-1B1 USSFTA Professional Visa, similar in requirements to the H-1B visa

Here are some differences of the USSFTA Professional Visa from the traditional H-1B visa:

• "Applicants must demonstrate that they intend to return to Singapore when their temporary job is finished. (Singaporeans are still eligible to apply for traditional H-1B visas.)

• Unlike a traditional H1-B visa, submission by the employer of Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (Department of Homeland Security) is not required, and the applicant does not need to obtain a Notice of Approval, Form I-797, before submitting their visa application.

• Extensions and renewals are allowed, but adjustment of status to another non-immigrant category or to legal permanent residency is not permitted."

• Additional required documents for H-1B1 visa applications are: "the standard DS-156, DS-157 (for males aged 16-45), a photo and a valid Singapore passport. They are subject to the US$100 (S$180) application fee."

Singaporean citizens are still able to apply for traditional H-1B visas and all of the categories for which Singaporeans were previously eligible, as well as travel through Singapore's membership in the Visa Waiver Program.

More detailed information about the new visa categories, as well as links to more information on qualification requirements, can be found on the website for the U.S. Embassy in Singapore.