Under US immigration law, there are a vast multitude of non-immigrant visas available to people who want to work in, study in or visit the United States. Some visa categories require that you have a job offer here, a school that has already accepted you, an appointment to speak at an event, a medical visit, or even a business plan. You can use the information available on this page to get an idea about what you may need to qualify for a visa to come to the United States, but please do seek legal counsel before applying. The information on this page is just that - information, not legal advice.
The US Congress is currently debating possible immigration reform. If immigration reform passes and US immigration law changes, the information here will change as well. For other resources on information about immigration law in the United States, you can check, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
If your Immigrant Petition has been approved and you are waiting for your Priority Date to become current, you can click on the "Visa Bulletin" link on the left hand side of this page.
Examples of Non-Immigrant Visas
A-1, A-2, & A-3: Ambassadors, consular officers, other foreign government official and personal employees of these officials.
B-1 / B-2: Visitors for business or pleasure
F-1: Academic Students
M-1: Vocational Students
O-1: Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics
E-1: Treaty Trader (limited to countries that have a Treaty with the United States)
E-2: Treaty Investor (limited to countries that have a Treaty with the United States)
TN: Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans
E-3: Specialty Occupation (limited to Australians)
H-1B: Specialty Occupations, DOD workers and fashion models
H-3: Trainees
J-1: Exchange Visitors (including Au Pairs)
L-1A: Executive or managerial Intracompany Transferee
L-1B: Specialized Knowledge Intracompany Transferee
P-1: Individual or Team Athletes and Entertainment Groups
R-1: Religious worker
TPS: Temporary Protected Status (granted to citizens of certain countries such as El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua)
T-1 Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons
Examples of Special Immigrant Visas (“Green Cards”)
Spouse or child of abusive US Citizen
Widow/Widower of a US Citizen
Dependent Juvenile
Examples of Employer and Work Based Immigrant Visas (“Green Cards”)
Extraordinary Ability for workers with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
Outstanding Professors and Researchers for professors and researchers who are internationally recognized for their outstanding achievements
Multinational Executives and Managers
Advanced Degree Professionals
Exceptional Ability workers
Nurses and Physical Therapists
Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers. These Petitions require a Labor Certification from the Department of Labor before
USCIS will grant the Green Card.
Examples of Family-Based Immigrant Visas (“Green Cards”)
A US Citizen may petition for the following family members: Spouse, Fiancée, Child, Step-Child, Parent, and Sibling.
A Legal Permanent Resident may petition for the following family members: Spouse, Child, and Step-Child.
Some Consulates may require DNA testing to prove familial relationships
Naturalization (Requirements for US Citizenship)
