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Find Types of Visas

The U.S. has a wide variety of visa types, each serving different purposes for temporary and permanent entry into the country. Here’s an overview of the main types of U.S. visas, categorized by their general purpose:

1. Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Visas)

These visas are for individuals seeking to visit the U.S. for a temporary period. They are not intended for permanent residence.

A. Work Visas

These are visas for individuals who wish to work in the U.S. temporarily or who are transferring within an international company.

• H-1B: For specialty occupations that require a bachelor’s degree or higher (e.g., IT, engineering).
• H-2A: For temporary agricultural workers.
• H-2B: For temporary non-agricultural workers (e.g., seasonal hospitality jobs).
• H-3: For trainees or individuals seeking training that is not available in their home country.
• L-1: For intra-company transferees (L-1A for managers/executives and L-1B for employees with specialized knowledge).
• O-1: For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in fields like science, arts, business, education, or athletics.
• P-1: For internationally recognized athletes, artists, and entertainers.
• Q-1: For participants in international cultural exchange programs.
• R-1: For religious workers.
• E-1/E-2: For treaty traders and investors (E-1 for trade, E-2 for investment).
• TN: For Canadian and Mexican citizens working in certain professional fields under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA).

B. Student Visas

These are for individuals who want to study in the U.S.

• F-1: For academic students attending U.S. schools or universities.
• M-1: For vocational or non-academic students.
• J-1: For exchange visitors participating in a program that promotes cultural and educational exchange.

C. Tourist and Visitor Visas

These are for individuals visiting the U.S. for short-term travel.

• B-1: For business visitors.
• B-2: For tourists and those visiting for pleasure.
• B-1/B-2: A combination visa for both business and tourism.

D. Transit and Crew Member Visas

• C-1: For individuals transiting through the U.S. to another country.
• D: For crew members working on sea vessels or international airlines.

D. Other Non-Immigrant Visas

• K-1: For fiancés of U.S. citizens.
• K-2: For children of K-1 visa holders.
• V-1: For spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents waiting for a green card.
• T-1: For victims of human trafficking who assist in investigations or prosecutions.
• U-1: For victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.

2. Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residency)

These visas are for individuals who want to live and work permanently in the U.S. They generally lead to a green card (permanent resident status).

A. Family-Based Immigrant Visas

These visas are for family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.

• IR-1/CR-1: For spouses of U.S. citizens (IR-1 for permanent, CR-1 for conditional residency).
• IR-2: For unmarried children under 21 of U.S. citizens.
• IR-5: For parents of U.S. citizens.
• F-1: For unmarried children of U.S. citizens (21+).
• F-2A/F-2B: For spouses and children of lawful permanent residents.
• F-3/F-4: For married children and siblings of U.S. citizens.

B. Employment-Based Immigrant Visas

These are for individuals who are sponsored by an employer in the U.S.

• EB-1: For individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, or multinational managers and executives.
• EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
• EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
• EB-4: For special immigrants, including religious workers, certain employees of U.S. government agencies, and certain international organizations.
• EB-5: For immigrant investors who invest a minimum amount in a U.S. business and create or preserve jobs for U.S. workers.

C. Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery

• DV-1: For individuals selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery, which aims to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S.

3. Humanitarian Visas

These are for individuals who need protection or special humanitarian assistance in the U.S.

• Asylum: For individuals fleeing persecution in their home country.
• Refugee: For individuals outside the U.S. who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country due to fear of persecution.
• TPS (Temporary Protected Status): For individuals from designated countries affected by armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions.
• U-1: For victims of certain crimes who assist law enforcement.
• T-1: For victims of human trafficking.
• S-1: For individuals providing critical information about criminal activity or terrorism.

4. Other Special Visa Categories

These visas are for specific groups or purposes.

• H-4: For dependents (spouse and children) of H-1B visa holders.
• L-2: For dependents of L-1 visa holders.
• O-3: For dependents of O-1 visa holders.
• E-3: For Australian nationals working in specialty occupations.
• G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4: For representatives of international organizations and their dependents.
• NATO Visas: For representatives and employees of NATO and their dependents.

5. Other Important Points

• Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Citizens of certain countries can visit the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism or business without obtaining a visa, under the VWP.
• ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization): Required for travelers from VWP countries to enter the U.S. without a visa.

Each visa type has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and restrictions. It’s essential for applicants to understand their specific visa category and the requirements for maintaining their status in the U.S.