(B-1) Business Visitor
Generally, holders of B-1 visas may enter the United
States on behalf of their overseas employer for a short
duration that may not involve local employment. However,
nationals of certain countries may be eligible to visit
the United States for business purposes for up to 90
days without a visa under the Visa Waiver Pilot Program.
(B-2) Visitor for Pleasure
Holders of B-2 visas may enter the United States for
tourism, visits, medical treatment, and certain other
activities. However, nationals of certain countries may
be eligible to visit the United States for business
purposes for up to 90 days without a visa under the Visa
Waiver Pilot Program.
(C-1) Transit Visa
C-1 visa or transit visa allows non-immigrants who
travel through an airport or airports in the United
States to leave the airport and visit family or friends
or for shopping and brief tour in the United States
(C-2) UN Travel Visa
This visa allows individuals involved in the United
Nations to travel in the United States to their UN
destination.
(C-3) Government Official Travel Visa
This visa allows government officials to enter the
United States en route to a foreign destination.
(D-1) Crewmen Visa
This visa is for foreign crewmen who serve aboard
vessels, including the vessel's personnel such as
crewmen, stewards, technicians, chefs, musicians and the
like.
(D-2) Crewmen Visa
This visa is for crewmen involved in the normal
operations of an aboard fishing vessel.
(E-1) Treaty Trader Visa
This visa is for treaty traders and their employees who
are able to establish substantial trade between the
United States and their home country, if their home
country has the required treaty with the United States.
(E-2) Treaty Investor Visa
This visa is for investors from countries having the
required treaty with the United States, who has invested
a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. enterprise and
who is coming to the United States to develop and direct
the enterprise.
(F-1) Student Visa
This visa is for students who intend to pursue a full
course of study at an authorized educational institution
in the United States. In some cases, a period of
practical training in the field of study may be allowed.
(H-1B) Specialty Occupation (Professional)
Professional workers with at least a bachelor's degree
and with a job offer in the United States may obtain
this visa if the U.S. employer undertakes that the
worker will be paid at least the prevailing wage for the
position. In most cases, a bachelor’s degree is a
minimum requirement for qualification although in some
cases, relevant work experience may be acceptable
towards the education requirement.
(H-3) Training Visa
This visa category allows foreign employees to enter the
United States for a temporary period in order to
participate in an established company training program
provided by U.S. companies and institutions.
(I) Media Employees
This visa is for media employees, i.e., news reporters,
film crew-members and freelance journalists. This is
generally available to persons only to work for a
foreign media outlet in the United States, or in a
U.S.-based subsidiary of a foreign media company.
(J-1) Exchange Visitor
This visa is for exchange visitors coming to the United
States pursuant to an approved exchange program. This
includes certain students, medical residents and
physicians, professors and research scholars,
specialists, government visitors, camp counselors and au
pairs. Although not required for all programs, some
however require that the exchange visitor spend two full
years outside the United States before obtaining a new
nonimmigrant visa or applying to become lawful permanent
residents.
(K-1) Fiance(e)
This visa is appropriate for the fiancé(e) of a
U.S. citizen (USC) to be able to enter the United States
in order to marry the USC within 90 days from entry.
Thereafter, the fiance(e) must apply for permanent
resident status in the United States.
(L-1) Intra-company transferee
This visa is intended for executives, managers and
specialized knowledge employees (with at least 1 year of
qualifying experience with the company) who will be
transferred to their employer's U.S. affiliate, parent
or subsidiary.
(O-1) Extraordinary Ability Worker
This visa is appropriate for foreign nationals with
extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education,
business or athletics as demonstrated by sustained
national or international acclaim.
(O-2) Supporting Personnel
This visa is appropriate for the support personnel of
O-1 visa holders.
(P-1) Athlete, Artist and Entertainer
This visa is appropriate for foreign nationals whose
work involves international recognition, participation
in a reciprocal exchange program, or a culturally unique
performance or production.
(P-2) Exchange Program
This visa is appropriate for artists, athletes, troupes
or bands entering the United States as part of an
exchange program. By the nature of this visa, there
should be two organizations involved so as to have an
exchange: one in the United States and one abroad.
(R-1) Religious Worker
This visa is intended for religious workers, including
ministers of religion and persons working in a
professional capacity in a religious vocation or
occupation.
T Visa
This visa is intended for certain victims of human
trafficking who are allowed to remain in the United
States provided they cooperate with law enforcement
against those responsible for their enslavement. After
three years in "T" status, victims of human
trafficking may apply for permanent residency.
(TN) NAFTA Worker
There are special rules that apply to citizens of Canada
and Mexico under the provisions of the North American
Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). For Canadian citizens,
visas are generally not required and port of entry
processing is available. Nonetheless, all TN visa
applicants must meet the criteria set forth in NAFTA.
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