Non-Immigrant VISA

Nonimmigrant visas

 

Nonimmigrant visas are for temporary visits such as for tourism, business, workor studying (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english.html). They are issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work except those come from one of the visa exempt countries or Visa Waiver Program countries.

 

The type of nonimmigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law, and related to the purpose of the travel.

 

  • A & G: Representatives of foreign governments
    • A-3 and G-5: Personal/Domestic Employee of representatives of foreign governments
  • B-1/B-2: The visitor visa, which is issued to aliens for several purposes:
    • B-1: For personal/domestic employees of B, E, F, H, I, J, L, O, P, and Q visa holders and U.S. citizens temporarily assigned to the United States
    • B-1/OCS: For crewmembers working on Outer Continental Shelf (B-1/OCS) and yachts (B-1)
    • B-1/B-2: For general business purposes (e.g., meetings, short-term training); for tourism, visit to relatives and friends, or similar reasons
    • B-1/B-2: For Medical or Emergency Situations
      • Medical Examinations
    • B-1/B-2: For business travel in the Priority Interview Program (PIP)
  • C-1: People transiting through the U.S.
  • C-1/D: Crewmembers
    • Seafarer Manning Agency Accreditation Policy
    • Seafarer Visa Reissuance Program (SeaVRP)
  • CW: Transitional Workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
  • E-1 and E-2: Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors
  • E-2C: Treaty Investors to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)
  • E-3(Australian Citizens in Specialty Occupation)
  • F: Students in academic or language programs
  • H: Temporary workers and trainees, including H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, H-3, and H-4
  • I: Journalists and members of the media
  • J: Exchange visitors
  • K: Fiancé(e)/spouse of a U.S. citizen
  • L: Intra-company transferees, including L-1 and L-2
  • M: Students in vocational or other non-academic programs
  • O: Temporary workers of extraordinary ability
  • P: Athletes and entertainers
  • Q: Cultural exchange visitors
  • R: Religious workers
  • TD: NAFTA Derivative

For an alphabetical listing all of the nonimmigrant visa classifications and specific requirements, please refer to the USCIS Website, DOS Website or the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 41.12.

 

Issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate has reviewed the application and that officer has determined that the individual is eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. The CBP Officer at the port-of-entry will conduct an inspection to determine if the individual is eligible for admission under U.S. immigration law.

 

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.