This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
US Visa Types: A Guide ¶
Published on July 16, 2020, the US visa system offers various types of visas, categorized into non-immigrant and immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas allow temporary stays for reasons such as tourism, business, and education, while immigrant visas permit permanent residence and work in the US.
Non-Immigrant Visas ¶
Non-immigrant visas are further divided into several categories, each with its specific purpose and requirements. These categories include:
- A Visa – Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials: This visa is for diplomats or foreign government officials traveling to the US on official duties or representing their government.
- A-2 – NATO1-6 Visa: This visa is designed for foreign military personnel who are about to serve or be stationed within the United States.
- B-1 Visa – Temporary Business Visa: This visa is granted to those who want to enter the US for amateur or professional athletes, domestic employees/nannies, or for business purposes such as attending conferences or conventions in their field, negotiating contracts, consulting with associates, or settling estates.
- B-2 Visa for Tourism: This visa is given to people for medical treatment, tourism and vacations, visits to relatives or friends, enrollment in short non-credit bearing courses, or participation in music, sport, or social events without receiving payments.
- BCC Visa – Border Crossing Card: This visa is only applicable to Mexican citizens and allows them to enter the US with a laminated card, usually valid for 10 years, but they must have a valid Mexican passport to apply for it.
- C Visa – Transit Visa: This visa is a US transit visa, allowing individuals to pass through the US but not stop for a layover to see friends, family, or visit places. People who have a B-type Visa or whose visa is waived are also allowed to transit through the US.
- CW-1 Visa – CNMI Work Visa: This visa is granted to employers from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) to employ foreign workers who do not fit into other employment visa categories.
- D Visa for crew members: This visa is for crew members who will work on a sea vessel or international airline in the United States and need the visa to operate within the country.
- E Visas – E1 Treaty Trader and E2 Treaty Investor Visas: These visas are for those who have treaties of commerce and navigation in the US and can apply for this visa to engage in trade of technology or other activities between the US and the treaty country or direct operations of a company in which they have invested capital.
- E-3 Visa – Work Visa for Australian nationals: This visa is only for nationals of Australia who will be working in specialty occupations. If a person from Australia qualifies for an E-3 visa, then so does the spouse and the children, but for the spouse, a marriage certificate should be presented.
- F and M Visas for students: These visas are for academic and vocational purposes, and depending on the school and field of study, individuals will have to get either the F-1 visa or the M-1 visa.
- G1-G5 NATO Visas: If individuals have been employed in an international organization in the United States, they will need to get a G-1 to G-5 visa. Those who will work for NATO will get the NATO visa.
- H-1B Visa for employees in highly specialized fields: This visa is for persons who have been employed in highly specialized fields, meaning they have an advanced degree or a job that cannot necessarily be done without having extensive training.
- H-1B1 Visa for Chile and Singapore nationals: This visa allows Chile and Singapore nationals to live and work temporarily in the US, accompanied by their spouse and dependent children, based on the US Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile and Singapore.
- H-2A Visa for agricultural workers: This visa is granted to temporary agricultural workers from selected countries in whom the US has some type of interest.
- H-2B Visa for temporary non-agricultural workers: This visa is given to other types of temporary seasonal workers who do non-agricultural work, similar to the H-2A visa, but only granted to individuals if they are of interest to the US and only for selected countries.
- H-3 Visa for training opportunities: This visa needs to be obtained by individuals who want to take advantage of unique education and training opportunities in the US that might not be found in other countries, but not counted towards an academic degree.
- I Visa for journalists: This visa is for representatives of foreign media and journalists part of the press, film, radio, or print industries, who are visiting the US to work or participate in educational media activities.
- J Visa for exchange visitors: This visa is targeted to exchange visitors, including au pairs, temporary scholars, and others.
