A Visitor’s Guide to United States Visas

A visa is a document issued by an American consulate or United States embassy abroad. It allows an individual to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the country.

There are many types of United States visas. They are divided into immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas. Non-immigrant visas are for those who have permanent residence outside the United States but who wish to visit the United States on a temporary basis. Immigrant visas are for individuals who wish to permanently reside in the United States.

Some visas are renewable. If your visa is expiring and you wish to remain in the United States, it is best to consult with an experienced immigration attorney.

Types of United States Visas

Non-immigrant Visas

B-1 Business Visa - This type of visa is for those foreign nationals who are interested in visiting the United States for business purposes that do not involve receiving a salary or any other payment. This type of visa may be extended.

B-2 Tourist Visa - This visa is for foreign nationals who wish to visit the United States for vacation, leisure or tourism. This type of visa may be extended.

C-1 Transit Visa - The C-1 visa allows foreign nationals to enter the United States while en route to another country.

Immigrant Visas

E-1 Treaty Trader Work Visa - This visa allows foreign nationals of certain eligible countries to enter the United States to engage in trade between the United States and the visa-holders home country.

E-2 Treaty Investor Work Visa - This visa is issued to a foreign national who is coming to the United States to develop and manage the operations of an enterprise or business in which he has invested or is in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital funds.

E-3 Work Visa for Australians - This is a work visa that is available only to Australian citizens.

F-1 Student Visa - A student visa allows foreign students to study in American language schools, high schools, colleges, universities and other institutions of higher learning.

H1-B Work Visa for College Educated Professionals - The H1-B visa permits professionals in certain "specialty occupations" to contribute to the American economy.

H-2B Work Visa for Skilled and Unskilled Workers - This visa allows foreign workers to come to the United States to temporarily work in non-agricultural jobs in which United States workers are in short supply.

H-3 Trainee Work Visa - These are temporary visas for foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States for on-the-job training provided by an American business.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa - These visas are provided to individuals who take part in academic visitor exchange programs sponsored by schools.

K-1 Fiancée / Fiancé Visa - This type of visa is used by American citizens who wish to bring their prospective spouse to the United States for the purpose of getting married.

L-1 Intracompany Transfer Work Visa - These visas are provided to individuals who work outside the United States as executives, managers or in a position that requires specialized knowledge.

Nurse Work Visa - These are U.S. work visas for nurses. The U.S. Congress authorized the H-1C Nurse Work Visa Program through the Nursing Relief for disadvantaged Areas Act of 1999 in order to bring nurses to underserved areas of the United States.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Work Visa - These visas are provided to individuals with extraordinary abilities in science, arts, education, business or athletics at the national or international level.

P Visa for Athletes and Entertainers - These immigrant visas are provided only to individuals who have achieved international recognition as athletes or entertainers.

R-1 Religious Work Visa - These visas are issued to members of legitimate religious organizations so they can live and work legally in the United States for a specified period of time.

TN NAFTA Work Visa - These are temporary work visas available only to citizens of Mexico and Canada.

Do you have questions about visas, green cards or the immigration process? The immigration attorneys at Vienna Law Group, P.C have successfully helped hundreds of people through the American immigration process. To learn more or to schedule a free legal consultation with an experienced Virginia immigration lawyer, contact Vienna Law Group, P.C. at 1-877-491-4LAW.




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