US Visa Categories

U.S. visas are divided into two main categories: nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays, and immigrant visas for permanent residence.

Nonimmigrant Visa Categories (Temporary Stay): These visas are for applicants travelling to the U.S. for a specific purpose and limited duration.

Here’s a structured breakdown of the Nonimmigrant Visa Categories:

  1. Visitor Visas
    • B-1: Business visitors (meetings, conferences, negotiations).
    • B-2: Tourism, vacation, medical treatment, visiting family.
  1. Study & Exchange
  • F-1: Academic students (universities, colleges, language training).
  • M-1: Vocational/non-academic students (technical schools).
  • J-1: Exchange visitors (research scholars, professors, au pairs, interns).
  1. Temporary Workers
  • H-1B: Specialty occupations requiring higher education.
  • H-2A: Temporary agricultural workers.
  • H-2B: Temporary non-agricultural workers.
  • H-3: Trainees (not for productive employment).
  • L-1: Intracompany transferees (executives, managers, specialized knowledge).
  • O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability (arts, sciences, athletics).
  • P visas: Athletes, artists, entertainers.
  • Q-1: Cultural exchange program participants.
  1. Diplomatic & International
  • A visas: Diplomats and foreign government officials.
  • G visas: Representatives to international organizations (e.g., UN).
  • NATO visas: NATO personnel.
  1. Other Specialized Categories
  • R-1: Religious workers.
  • TN/TD: NAFTA professionals (Canada & Mexico).
  • E-1/E-2: Treaty traders and investors.
  • E-3: Australian specialty occupation workers.
  • C-1/D: Transit visas and crew members.
  • K-1: Fiancé(e) visas (technically nonimmigrant, but leads to immigrant status).

Immigrant Visa Categories (Permanent Stay): These visas are for applicants who intend to settle permanently in the U.S. and this leads to a Green Card.

Here’s a structured breakdown of the Immigrant Visa Categories:

  1. Family-Based Immigration
  • Immediate Relatives (IR visas): Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens.
  • Family Preference (F visas):
  • F1: Unmarried sons/daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens.
  • F2A/F2B: Spouses, children, and unmarried sons/daughters of lawful permanent residents.
  • F3: Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens.
  • F4: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.
  1. Employment-Based Immigration
  • EB-1: Priority workers (extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, multinational executives).
  • EB-2: Professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
  • EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
  • EB-4: Special immigrants (religious workers, broadcasters, certain international employees).
  • EB-5: Immigrant investors (job creation through investment in U.S. enterprises).
  1. Diversity Visa Program
  • Known as the DV Lottery.
  • Provides visas to individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to the U.S.
  1. Humanitarian Programs
  • Refugees and Asylees: Those fleeing persecution.
  • Special categories: Victims of trafficking (T visas), crime victims (U visas), though these often start as nonimmigrant but can lead to permanent status.
  1. Other Categories
  • Returning Resident (SB visa): For lawful permanent residents who stayed abroad too long and lost status.
  • Special legislation visas: Occasionally created by Congress for specific groups.