Different Types Of Visa In Usa
U.S. visas are issued to people intending to come to the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose, such as for business or tourism. USDA provides three basic types of visas: immigrant (green card), nonimmigrant (work) and K visa for fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen or spouse of permanent resident in the United States . A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S., but permission to travel to the port-of-entry where the person must apply for admission into the country at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer’s office. Usually, a visa is only valid for travel until its expiration date, though some visas may be issued with multiple validity dates depending on the type of visa and any restrictions placed on it by other federal agencies or entities, like law enforcement or intelligence agencies . Check with your local US Embassy or Consulate for detailed information about eligibility and application process on US visas .
Different Types Of Visa In Usa
Visa is a legal permit allowing citizens of one country to travel to and enter another country. When you travel abroad, you need a visa and travel documents, such as a passport, that authorize your entry. Before you visit another country to study, work, or just tour around, it is important that you decide what type of Visa would be most appropriate for your situation. Different visas provide different levels of authorization for activities such as work, study and residence in the U.S. You should determine which visa best meets your needs before applying.
A visa is a travel document issued by a country to its citizens intending to visit or reside in another country. The process of issuing visas is called visa-issuance, and the office which does it is called a visa -issuing office or “consul”, at an international border (i.e. airport or seaport). In other words, a visa allows the bearer to safely enter another country, be treated as its own citizen while they are within the country’s territory and stay there for a specific period of time.
Overview
We welcome visitors to the United States with secure borders and open doors. Most Canadian citizens and many citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries can come to the U.S. without a visa if they meet certain requirements, which you can read about here.
There are various types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors to travel to the U.S., if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. It’s important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel, and the steps required to apply for the visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Review the chart below to determine the type of visa you need. For more detailed information specific to each visa type, including how-to-apply information and more, select a link from the Visa Type column below.
| Purpose of Travel to U.S. and Nonimmigrant Visas | Visa Type |
| Athletes, amateur and professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 |
| Athletes, artists, entertainers | P |
| Australian worker – professional specialty | E-3 |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC |
| Business visitors | B-1 |
| Crewmembers (serving aboard a sea vessel or aircraft in the U.S.) | D |
| Diplomats and foreign government officials | A |
| Domestic employees or nannies (must be accompanying a foreign national employer) | B-1 |
| Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO | G1-G5, NATO |
| Exchange visitors | J |
| Exchange visitors – au pairs | J-1 |
| Exchange visitors – children (under age 21) or spouse of a J-1 holder | J-2 |
| Exchange visitors – professors, scholars, teachers | J-1 |
| Exchange visitors – international cultural | J, Q |
| Fiancé(e) | K-1 |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S. | A-2, NATO1-6 |
| Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics | O-1 |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Chile | H-1B1 |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Singapore | H-1B1 |
| Information media representative (media, journalists) | I |
| Intra-company transferees | L |
| Medical treatment, visitors for | B-2 |
| NAFTA professional workers: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD |
| Nurses traveling to areas short of health care professionals | H-1C |
| Physicians |
