Know About the Different Types of U.S. Visas

Foreign citizens keen to visit the United States must require a visa. Aspiring travellers can apply either for an immigrant visa to gain permanent resident status in the United States or a non-immigrant visa to temporarily visit this country. 

This article highlights the different types of U.S. visas offered to citizens of other nations to visit the United States. Readers planning to apply for a U.S. visa can keep reading to know which one suits their requirements.

Listed below are definitions of different categories of U.S. visa to help readers understand what each category denote:

1. U.S. Visitor Visa

This visa is issued to foreign citizens keen to travel to the United States for 6 months. This category comprises visas for tourism and business purposes.

2. Student Visa

A student visa is a non-immigrant visa that entitles aspiring students from foreign countries to study in the United States. Usually, there are two types of student visas – F1, F2 and M1.

3. Exchange Visitor Visa

These visas are issued to those willing to participate in cultural exchange programmes or employment or practical training activities in the U.S. They are sub-categorised into J1 and Q visas.

4. Temporary Work Permit

Citizens who are willing to work in the United States temporarily can apply for this visa. There are several types of U.S. work visas, such as H1B, H1B1 etc.

5. Diplomatic and Investor Visa

Diplomats and officials from foreign countries who will visit the United States and perform official duties on behalf of their government must acquire diplomatic and official visas, which include A1 and A2 permits. Apart from that, attendants, personal employees, or domestic workers of A1 or A2 visa holders need to obtain an A3 visa.

6. Treaty Trader and Investor Visa

E1 (Treaty Trader), E3 (Australian in Specialty Job) and E2(Treaty Investor) are visas issued to citizens of nations with which the U.S. has signed navigation and commercial treaties. Types of trades permissible under the E visas are international banking, transportation, insurance, tourism, and communications.

7. Transit and Crewmember Visas

Foreign citizens continuously travelling to a destination country through the United States require this transit or C visa type. At the same time, a crew member of airlines or sea vessels can obtain only a D visa or a combined visa of C1 or D based on the requirements.

8. Visas for Victims of Human Trafficking and Criminal Activities

The U.S. Government offers immigration relief to victims of criminal activities and human trafficking through non-immigrant visas of T and U.

9. Family-sponsored and Immediate Relatives Visa

An immediate relative of a foreign citizen must file an immigrant visa petition on their behalf for their permanent residency in the United States. The immediate relative must be a legal permanent resident and aged a minimum of 21 years. Some of the types of visas that fall under this category are IR2, IR5 etc.

10. Visa for Spouse or Fiance

IR1 or CR1, K3 and K1 are the visa options to bring in a spouse or fiance of a U.S. citizen.

11. Employer-sponsored Permits

E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5 are different types of visas to work in the U.S.A. These are issued to eligible employees that allow them to immigrate to the United States and work in this country.

12. Other Categories

Diversity Immigrant Programme is a type of U.S. visa that encourages immigration from countries with lower immigration rates to the U.S. On the other hand, SB1 visas are issued to U.S. Green Card holders who cannot return from another country for one or two years, resulting in the loss of their immigration status.