Visa Categories
Before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must generally obtain a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel:
Visit (Business visitors or Tourists) or Transit
- Business Visas (B1 Visa) Short trips for business.
- Tourist Visas (B2 Visa) Short trips for tourism.
- Transit Visas (C1 Visa) Passing through the United States
Study (Students or Exchanges)
- Student Visas (F, J, M Visas) Studying at a U.S. university
- Exchange Programs (J Visas) Requires DS-2019 form
- Au Pairs and Domestic/Personal Employees (J1 and B1 Visas) Domestic help.
Work (Workers temporary in the US)
- Temporary Employment (H, L, O, P, R Visas) Requires a work permit.
- Treaty Trader and Treaty Investor Visas (E1 and E2 Visas) Setting up business in the U.S.
- Crew visas (C1/D Visa) Sailors and airline crew.
- Media (I Visa) For informational journalism.
- Practical Training in the US (J1 and H3 Visa) Practical training.
- Official/Diplomatic Travel (A and G Visas) Travel for official duties.
- Religious Visa (R1 Visa) Visas for persons engaged in a religious vocation or occupation.