The document discusses the different types of visas available for temporary visitors to the United States. There are two main categories: nonimmigrant visas, which allow temporary visits, and immigrant visas, which allow permanent residence. Each nonimmigrant visa has a specific purpose like tourism, business, study, or work. The required visa is determined by immigration law and the traveler's purpose and circumstances. A chart provides details on each nonimmigrant visa type and application requirements.

1. Types of Visas for Temporary Visitors
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States (U.S.)
generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s
passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of
citizenship. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to
the U.S. without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.
The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign
citizens to travel to the U.S.

2. What Types of Visas Are There?
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and
relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of
U.S. visas:
Nonimmigrant visas – For travel to the U.S. on a temporary basis.
Immigrant visas – For travel to live permanently in the U.S..
Immigrant Visas vs. Nonimmigrant Visas

3. What is the difference between an immigrant and nonimmigrant visa?
An immigrant visa is the visa issued to persons wishing to live
permanently in the U.S.
A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with a permanent
residence outside the U.S. but who wishes to be in the U.S. on a
temporary basis (i.e. Tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary
work, or study.
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 Before
Visa Type
Nonimmigrant Visas Applying
for Visa*
Athletes, amateur & professional B-1 (NA)

4. (compete for prize money only)
Au pairs (exchange visitor) ---J--- SEVIS
Australian professional specialty E-3 DOL
Border Crossing Card: Mexico BCC (NA)
Business visitors B-1 (NA)
Crewmembers ---D--- (NA)
Diplomats and foreign
---A--- (NA)
government officials
Domestic employees or nanny -
must be accompanying a foreign B-1 (NA)
national employer
Employees of a designated
G1-G5,
international organization, and (NA)
NATO
NATO
Exchange visitors ---J--- SEVIS
Foreign military personnel A-2
(NA)
stationed in the U.S. NATO1-6
Foreign nationals with
extraordinary ability in Sciences,
---O--- USCIS
Arts, Education, Business or
Athletics
H-1B1 -
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Chile
DOL
Professionals: Chile, Singapore H-1B1 -
Singapore
International cultural exchange
Q USCIS
visitors
Intra-company transferees ---L--- USCIS

5. Medical treatment, visitors for B-2 (NA)
Media, journalists ---I--- (NA)
NAFTA professional workers:
TN/TD (NA)
Mexico, Canada
Performing athletes, artists,
---P--- USCIS
entertainers
Physician J , H-1B SEVIS
Professor, scholar, teacher
---J--- SEVIS
(exchange visitor)
Religious workers ---R--- USCIS
Specialty occupations in fields
DOL then
requiring highly specialized H-1B
USCIS
knowledge
Students: academic, vocational F, M SEVIS
DOL then
Temporary agricultural workers H-2A
USCIS
Temporary workers performing
DOL then
other services or labor of a H-2B
USCIS
temporary or seasonal nature.
Tourism, vacation, pleasure
B-2 (NA)
visitors
Training in a program not
H-3 USCIS
primarily for employment
Treaty traders/treaty investors ---E--- (NA)
Transiting the United States ---C--- (NA)
Victims of Criminal Activity U USCIS
Victims of Human Trafficking ---T--- USCIS

6. Visa Renewals - Available in the
(NA)
U.S.
*What the abbreviations (above) mean:
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, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(USCIS) approval of a petition or application (The required
petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to
apply for.)
SEVIS = Program approval entered in the Student and Exchange
Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
(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 .
US Embassies

7. A building containing the offices of an ambassador and
staff.
The position, function, or assignment of an ambassador.
A mission to a foreign government headed by an
ambassador.
A staff of diplomatic representatives headed by an
ambassador.
Reference of sites:
/www.uscis.gov
/travel.state.gov
/www.cbp.gov
/www.fmjfee.com