U.S. Visa Categories
Non-immigrant visa overview
U.S. law recognizes a large number of different residence permits and visa categories, all of which have different requirements. Not only is a distinction made between the reason for entry and residence (immigrant visas vs. non-immigrant visas), but the nationality of the person entering the country also plays a role. For example, there are special visas for citizens of Chile, Singapore, Mexico, and Canada.
Below, we would like to give you an overview of a variety of non-immigrant visas. For those who intend to live in the U.S. permanently, we have provided an overview of the relevant green cards.
There are visas for workers with a university degree and visas for those without special training, visas for entrepreneurs and workers who are to hold management positions in companies with a majority of foreign shareholders. There are visas for internationally renowned artists or athletes and special visas for entire teams of athletes or entertainers. Visas for educational purposes are further divided into those intended for completing a full, academically oriented educational program at a recognized educational institution and visas that allow the holder to take more job-related programs and courses.
Here, we present some of the most important types of U.S. visas:
- B-1 Visa (business visitors)
- E-1 Visa (treaty traders)
- E-2 Visa (treaty investors)
- H-1B Visa (temporary workers)
- H-2B Visa (temporary non-agricultural workers)
- I Visa (journalists, media representatives)
- K-1 Visa (fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens)
- K-3 Visa (spouses of U.S. citizens)
- L-1 Visa (intracompany transferees)
- O Visa (extraordinary ability - artists, athletes, scientists)
- P Visa (artists, athletes, entertainers, group performers)
- R Visa (religious workers)
These are not all types of U.S. visas. The U.S. authorities offer additional visa categories for specific circumstances. Some of these are discussed in our blog.
Overview of non-immigrant visa categories
Below, we have summarized the different visa categories for travel to the USA. A number of requirements must be met for each visa category. The visa category that appears to be the most suitable is not always the right one in individual cases. Countless special regulations imposed by the U.S. authorities often make it difficult to choose the right U.S. visa.
| A visa | For diplomats and foreign government officials |
| B visa | For visitors (tourists, business travelers) |
| C visa | Transit visa (for crew members of a ship or an airplane, travelers to the UN headquarters in New York) |
| D visa | For crewmembers of a (cruise) ship or an airplane |
| E visa | For treaty investors and treaty traders from countries which have bilateral trade agreements with the U.S. |
| F visa | For pupils and students (universities, conservatories, high schools), or participants of language courses |
| G visa | For foreign government officials who are members of international organizations (e.g. UN) |
| H visa | For temporary workers |
| I visa | For journalists and media representatives |
| J visa | For participants in exchange programs (pupils, students, au-pairs, trainees, etc.) |
| K visa | For fiancé(e)s or spouses of U.S. citizens |
| L visa | For intracompany transferees (executives, managers, workers with specialized knowledge |
| M visa | For trainees/students in non-academic training programs (vocational training) |
| N visa | For parents and children of certain Greencard holders |
| O visa | For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement (athletes, artists, scientists, entrepreneurs, etc.) |
| P visa | For individuals with extraordinary abilities who perform together (orchestra members, circus artists, athletes) |
| Q visa | For participants in cultural exchange programs |
| R visa | For religious workers of a recognized religious community |
| S visa | For individuals with certain knowledge of criminal activities in organisations or companies (witnesses) |
| T visa | For victims of human trafficking |
| U visa | For crime victims who suffered mental or physical abuse |
| V visa | For spouses and children of Greencard holders |
Our advice on U.S. visas
Do you need assistance with applying for a U.S. visa? We would be happy to discuss your plans with you during a consultation with one of our lawyers and clarify whether you meet the requirements for the desired visa category or what other alternatives exist in your specific case. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you would like to make an appointment for a consultation with one of our US experts.
Our contact persons will be happy to assist you! Please feel free to contact us by e-mail (info@visum-usa.com) or by phone (+49 69 76 75 77 85 26). During the consultation we can discuss which visa(s) you may be eligible for and provide you with an overview of the application requirements. We can also assist you with the entire application process.
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