Types of Visas for Temporary Visitors

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html

Types of Visas for Temporary Visitors

We welcome visitors to the United States (U.S.), 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. Visit Travel Without a Visa to learn more. 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. For more detailed information specific to each visa category, including how-to-apply information and more, select a link from the Visa Type column below. Required: Purpose of Travel to U.S. and Nonimmigrant Visas Visa Type Before Applying for Visa* Athletes, amateur & professional (compete for prize money only) Au pairs (exchange visitor) Australian professional specialty Border Crossing Card: Mexico Business visitors Crewmembers Diplomats and foreign government officials Domestic employees or nanny -must be accompanying a foreign national employer Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO Exchange visitors Foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S. Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics B-1 ---J--E-3 BCC B-1 ---D-----A--B-1 G1-G5, NATO ---J--A-2 NATO1-6 ---O--(NA) SEVIS DOL (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)

(NA) SEVIS (NA)

USCIS

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Types of Visas for Temporary Visitors

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professionals: Chile, Singapore International cultural exchange visitors Intra-company transferees Medical treatment, visitors for Media, journalists NAFTA professional workers: Mexico, Canada Performing athletes, artists, entertainers Physician Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) Religious workers Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge Students: academic, vocational Temporary agricultural workers Temporary workers performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitors Training in a program not primarily for employment Treaty traders/treaty investors Transiting the United States Victims of Human Trafficking Visa Renewals - Available in the U.S. *What the abbreviations (above) mean:

H-1B1 - Chile H-1B1 Singapore

DOL

---Q-----L--B-2 ---I--TN/TD ---P--J , H-1B ---J-----R--H-1B F, M H-2A

USCIS USCIS (NA) (NA) (NA) USCIS SEVIS SEVIS (USCIS) DOL then USCIS SEVIS DOL then USCIS DOL then USCIS (NA) USCIS (NA) (NA) USCIS** (NA)

H-2B B-2 H-3 ---E-----C-----T---

Before applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad the following is required: DOL = The U.S. employer must obtain foreign labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, prior to filing a petition with USCIS. USCIS = DHS, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must approve a Form I-129 petition, filed by the U.S. employer. ** A T-1 applicant must have USCIS approval of a Form I-914 application before a family member can apply for a visa. SEVIS = Program approval entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)

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Types of Visas for Temporary Visitors

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html

(NA) = Not Applicable - Means that additional approval by other government agencies is not required prior to applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy abroad. Notes: Canadian NAFTA Professional workers- Visa not required, apply to CBP at border port-of-entry. K visas are for the purpose of marrying a U.S. citizen and immigrating or joining a U.S. citizen spouse in the United States while awaiting USCIS approval of Form I-130 for immigrant status. Visit the immigrant visa section of this website for K-1 and K-3 visa information . Important Notices: This chart includes nonimmigrant visas and the associated purpose of travel with links to relevant webpages. However, it should be noted this chart is not a complete list of all purposes of travel or types of nonimmigrant visas. Each visa applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for the type of visa for which he/she is applying, as determined by the consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, following U.S. immigration laws. See more detailed information on our temporary visitor webpages.

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