Types of U.S. Visas

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Example of a US Visa

Visas are documents issued by the U.S. State Department that indicate that a particular person is authorized to enter the country.  A foreign citizen possessing a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States, and it may be revoked by the State Department at any time.  The principal significance of a visa to the issuing country is verification of the identity of the visa applicant prior to his or her entry to the country.

 

There are four main types of visas issued by the US State Department:  visitation, study, temporary employment, and immigration.  The State Department travel website is a great starting point as a resource for foreign citizens seeking to enter the United States.

 

Visitation

 

If the visitor is entering the United States temporarily for business, pleasure, or medical treatment, then they must get one of two kinds of visitor visas.  The first type is for business travelers.  If a person is entering the United States to consult with business associates, attend a convention, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then a B-1 visitor’s visa is the appropriate type of visa.  On the other hand, if the nature of the visit is recreational - if the visitor is on vacation, visiting with friends, or the like – then a B-2 visitor’s visa is appropriate.

 

Visitors from certain countries may not require a visa to enter the United States and may instead go through the visa waiver program.  To find out if you qualify and to find more information on the visa waiver program, click here.

 

Study and Exchange

 

Foreign citizens who want to come to the United States to study may get visas authorizing them to do so.  Before applying for a visa, the student must be accepted and approved for their program.  Student academic and vocational visas are classified as “F” and “M” visas, respectively and students in public schools are to get F-1 visas.  Exchange program visas are categorized as “J” visas.

 

Temporary Employment

 

Foreign citizens may get authorization from the U.S. State Department for temporary employment in the United States through a temporary employment visa.  Under U.S. immigration law, anyone seeking temporary employment in the United States will need a specific visa based on the work they will be doing.  In most cases, the visa applicant will need their prospective employer to file a petition with the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services on their behalf before they can apply for the visa. There are four main categories of temporary employment visas:  temporary workers, foreign media workers, religious workers, and treaty traders/investors.

 

Immigration Visas

 

Immigration to the United States requires a foreign citizen to obtain an immigration visa.  In order to apply for an immigrant visa, a relative who is either a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a prospective employer must sponsor the foreign citizen who is seeking to permanently move to the United States.  They must also file an I-130 petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

 

Once the immigrant petition is filed and approved, the National Visa Center will receive and process it.  The National Visa Center then provides the applicant and petitioner with instructions for completing the process - including submitting the appropriate processing fees and requesting the appropriate documentation.