The United States offers different types of visas for people who want to visit, work, study, or live in the country. These visas are divided into two main categories: Non-Immigrant Visas and Immigrant Visas.
1. Non-Immigrant Visas
These are for people who want to stay temporarily in the U.S. Each type has specific requirements and limitations.
Tourist and Business Visas
- B-1 Visa is for business travellers who must attend meetings, negotiate contracts, participate in business events, or conduct independent research.
- B-2 Visa is for leisure travel, medical treatment, and social visits. People visiting family or undergoing medical procedures in the U.S. can apply for this visa.
- B-1/B-2 Visa is a combination of business and tourism purposes, this visa allows visitors to engage in limited business activities while also enjoying tourism.
Work Visas
- H-1B Visa:
This visa is for foreign workers in speciality occupations requiring IT, finance, engineering, and medicine expertise.
- H-2A Visa:
This visa allows foreign nationals to perform temporary agricultural work in the U.S. Employers must prove that there are not enough local workers available.
- H-2B Visa:
This visa is for temporary non-agricultural jobs like hospitality, landscaping, and construction. It is seasonal and requires employer sponsorship.
- L-1 Visa:
This visa is for employees transferring within the same multinational company. The applicant must have worked with the company abroad for at least one year.
- P Visa:
For internationally recognized athletes, entertainers, and cultural performers travelling to the U.S. for competitions, performances, or artistic events.
- TN Visa:
Available for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), formerly NAFTA.
Student and Exchange Visitor Visas
- F-1 Visa: This visa is for academic students who want to attend universities, colleges, high schools, or English language programs in the U.S. It requires proof of financial support and an acceptance letter from an accredited institution.
- M-1 Visa: For students pursuing vocational or technical training in non-academic institutions. Unlike F-1 visas, M-1 visa holders cannot work while studying.
- J-1 Visa: Designed for exchange visitors participating in work-and-study-based programs such as internships, research, and cultural exchanges.
Other Special Visas
- U Visa – This visa is for victims of certain crimes who assist U.S. law enforcement in investigations or prosecutions. It provides a pathway to a Green Card after three years.
- T Visa – Granted to victims of human trafficking who cooperate with authorities and demonstrate severe exploitation. It also offers a pathway to permanent residency.
- R Visa – This visa is for religious workers who are members of a recognized religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work in a religious capacity.
2. Immigrant Visas
These visas allow individuals to live permanently in the U.S. and eventually apply for U.S. citizenship.
Family-Based Immigrant Visas
- IR-1/CR-1 Visa: Issued to spouses of U.S. citizens. The IR-1 visa is for married for more than two years, while the CR-1 visa is for marriages under two years and comes with conditional residency.
- F Visa Categories: These visas allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to sponsor certain family members, including children, parents, and siblings. The waiting period depends on the category and country of origin.
Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
- EB-1 Visa
For individuals with extraordinary arts, science, business, or athletics abilities. Also available for multinational executives and outstanding professors.
- EB-2 Visa
Requires an advanced degree or exceptional business, science, or arts abilities. Applicants must have a job offer unless they qualify for a National Interest Waiver.
- EB-3 Visa
Covers skilled workers, professionals with bachelor’s degrees, and unskilled labourers. This visa requires employer sponsorship.
- EB-4 Visa
Reserved for special categories of workers, such as religious ministers, broadcasters, and certain government employees.
- EB-5 Visa
Available to investors who contribute at least $800,000 (in a targeted employment area) or $1.05 million to create jobs in the U.S. The investor and their family can gain permanent residency.
Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program allows individuals from countries with low immigration rates to the U.S. to apply for a Green Card. Each year, 50,000 people are selected through a random lottery system.
Conclusion
The U.S. offers a variety of visas depending on the purpose of travel. Choosing the correct visa type and following all application guidelines is important. For the latest updates and requirements, always check with your country’s U.S. embassy or consulate.