Visa to The United States of America
The USA Visa Categories
According to the purpose of travel, there are several types of visas. Please, note that the list of all travel purposes for the visa category can be expanded. For additional information, please check the official website.
Most Comment Visa Types to The U.S.A.
- Tourism and Visit Visa to the U.S.A.
- Family-Based Immigrant Visas to the U.S.A.
- Immigrant Visa for a Spouse of a U.S.A. Citizen
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visa to the U.S.A.
- Student Visa to the U.S.A.
- Business Visa to the U.S.A.
- Temporary Worker Visas to the U.S.A.
- Treaty Trader & Investor Visa to the U.S.A.
- Transit Visa to the U.S.A.
- Non-immigrant Visa for Spouse and Children of Resident to the U.S.A.
- Nonimmigrant Visa for a Fiancé to the U.S.A.
- Nonimmigrant Visa for a Spouse to the U.S.A.
- Border Crossing Card Visa to the U.S.A.
- Crew Member Visa to the U.S.A.
- Exchange Visitor Visa to the U.S.A.
- Only Transitional Worker Visa to the U.S.A.
- Returning Resident Visas to the U.S.A.
- Immigrant Visas for Iraqi and AfghanTranslators to the U.S.A.
- Temporary Religious Worker Visa to the U.S.A.
- Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials Visas to the U.S.A.
- International Organizations & NATO Employees Visas to the U.S.A.
- Visas for Victims of Criminal Activity to the U.S.A.
- Visas for Victims of Human Trafficking to the U.S.A.
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
There are many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories. Before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, 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 = 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 – Additional approval by another U.S. government agency is not required prior to applying for a visa
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category | Required: Before applying for visa* |
| 1. Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 | (NA) |
| 2. Au pair (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| 3. Australian professional specialty | E-3 | DOL |
| 4. Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC | (NA) |
| 5. Business visitor | B-1 | (NA) |
| 6. CNMI-only transitional worker | CW-1 | (USCIS) |
| 7. Crewmember | D | (NA) |
| 8. Diplomat or foreign government official | A | (NA) |
| 9. Domestic employee or nanny – must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 | (NA) |
| 10. Employee of a designated international organization or NATO | G1-G5, NATO | (NA) |
| 11. Exchange visitor | J | SEVIS |
| 12. Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2 | (NA) |
| 13. Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O | USCIS |
| 14. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional:
Chile, Singapore |
H-1B1 – Chile | DOL |
| 15. International cultural exchange visitor | Q | USCIS |
| 16. Intra-company transferee | L | USCIS |
| 17. Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 | (NA) |
| 18. Media, journalist | I | (NA) |
| 19. NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD | (NA) |
| 20. Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P | USCIS |
| 21. Physician | J , H-1B | SEVIS |
| 22. Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| 23. Religious worker | R | USCIS |
| 24. Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B | DOL then USCIS |
| 25. Student: academic, vocational | F, M | SEVIS |
| 26. Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A | DOL then USCIS |
| 27. Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B | DOL then USCIS |
| 28. Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 | (NA) |
| 29. Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 | USCIS |
| 30. Treaty trader/treaty investor | E | (NA) |
| 31. Transiting the United States | C | (NA) |
| 32. Victim of Criminal Activity | U | USCIS |
| 33. Victim of Human Trafficking | T | USCIS |
| 34. Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V | (NA) |
| 35. Renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO Visas | (NA) |
Immigrant Visa Categories
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category |
| 1. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| 2. Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition | K-3 (this type refers to immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes.) |
| 3. Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. | K-1 (this type refers to immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes.) |
| 4. Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| 5. Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
| 6. Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents | F2A, F2B |
| Employer Sponsored – Employment | |
1. Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
|
E1
S (Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 502.1 for a listing of all immigrant visa categories.) |
| 2. Religious Workers | SD, SR |
| 3. Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters | SI |
| 4. Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| 5. Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Other Immigrants | |
| 1. Diversity Immigrant Visa | DV |
| 2. Returning Resident | SB |
