The U.S. visa system is broadly divided into two main categories: nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visas for permanent residency. Within these two overarching types, there are dozens of specific visa categories, each designated by a letter and often a number, catering to various purposes and lengths of stay.
Understanding the specific visa category is crucial for anyone planning to visit or reside in the United States, as each comes with its own set of requirements and eligibility criteria.
Nonimmigrant Visas: For Temporary Stays
Nonimmigrant visas are for individuals who intend to enter the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose, such as tourism, business, study, temporary work, or transit. These visas have a defined expiration date, and holders are expected to return to their home country upon the visa's expiration or the completion of their authorized activity.
The variety of nonimmigrant visas reflects the diverse reasons people visit the U.S. Here are some of the most common categories:
| Visa Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| A Visa | For diplomats and foreign government officials, including their immediate family members, when traveling to the U.S. on official business. |
| B Visa | For visitors, including B-1 for business travelers (e.g., attending conferences, negotiating contracts) and B-2 for tourists, visiting friends/family, or seeking medical treatment. |
| C Visa | For transit through the U.S., including crew members of a ship or an airplane, or travelers en route to the United Nations Headquarters in New York. |
| D Visa | For crewmembers of a (cruise) ship or an airplane who will be providing services on board while in the U.S. |
| E Visa | For treaty traders and treaty investors, as well as Australian specialty occupation workers. |
| F Visa | For academic students enrolled in U.S. educational institutions. |
| G Visa | For employees of international organizations and NATO. |
| H Visa | For temporary workers in various specialty occupations, agricultural work, or training programs. |
| J Visa | For exchange visitors participating in programs designed to promote cultural exchange. |
| L Visa | For intracompany transferees working for a foreign company with a U.S. branch. |
| M Visa | For vocational students. |
| O Visa | For individuals with extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. |
| P Visa | For athletes, artists, and entertainers who are internationally recognized. |
| R Visa | For religious workers. |
This table represents just a selection of the numerous nonimmigrant visa categories. Each category often has sub-types (e.g., H-1B, H-2A, H-3) to further specify the exact nature of the temporary stay.
For comprehensive details on nonimmigrant visas, you can refer to the official U.S. Department of State website.
Immigrant Visas: For Permanent Residency
Immigrant visas are for foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. These visas, often referred to as "green cards," grant the holder permanent resident status. The pathways to obtaining an immigrant visa are primarily based on family relationships, employment, or through special programs.
The main categories of immigrant visas include:
- Family-Based Visas: These are for close relatives of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
- Immediate Relatives (IR): Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. These do not have numerical limitations.
- Family Preference (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4): More distant family members of U.S. citizens and certain family members of lawful permanent residents. These are subject to annual numerical limits.
- Employment-Based Visas (EB): These visas are for workers whose skills and expertise are needed in the U.S. economy. They are categorized into five preferences (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, EB-5), ranging from individuals with extraordinary abilities and multinational executives to skilled workers and investors.
- Diversity Immigrant Visas (DV): Often known as the "Green Card Lottery," this program provides a limited number of visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S.
- Special Immigrant Visas: These include categories for religious workers, certain former U.S. government employees, and other specific situations.
Obtaining an immigrant visa is generally a longer and more complex process compared to nonimmigrant visas, often requiring a U.S. sponsor (either a family member or an employer) and extensive documentation. Detailed information on immigrant visa categories can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.
In summary, while there are two primary classifications of U.S. visas (nonimmigrant and immigrant), the practical answer to "how many types" involves understanding the extensive list of specific categories and subcategories, each tailored to distinct purposes and circumstances.
