Visas to the U.S. fall within two general categories: immigrant visas (IV) and non-immigrant visas (NIV). The purpose of your travel to the U.S. will determine the type of visa that you need. If your purpose of travel is to immigrate and reside permanently in the U.S., you will require an immigrant visa. If your purpose of travel is temporary, then you will require a non-immigrant visa, of which there are several. Non-immigrant visa types include:
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category |
| Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 |
| Au pair (exchange visitor) | J |
| Australian professional specialty | E-3 |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC |
| Business visitor | B-1 |
| CNMI-only transitional worker | CW-1 |
| Crewmember | D |
| Diplomat or foreign government official | A |
| Domestic employee or nanny – must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 |
| Employee of a designated international organization or NATO | G1-G5, NATO |
| Exchange visitor | J |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2 NATO1-6 |
| Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile, Singapore |
H-1B1 – Chile H-1B1 – Singapore |
| International cultural exchange visitor | Q |
| Intra-company transferee | L |
| Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 |
| Media, journalist | I |
| NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD |
| Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P |
| Physician | J , H-1B |
| Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J |
| Religious worker | R |
| Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B |
| Student: academic, vocational | F, M |
| Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A |
| Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B |
| Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 |
| Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 |
| Treaty trader/treaty investor | E |
| Transiting the United States | C |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V |
| Renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO Visas |
Immigrant Visa Categories
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition | K-3 * |
| Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
| Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents | F2A, F2B |
| Employer Sponsored – Employment | |
Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
|
E1 E2 E3, EW3 C5, T5, R5, I5 S (many**) |
| Religious Workers | SD, SR |
| Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters | SI |
| Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ |
| Other Immigrants | |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa | DV |
| Returning Resident | SB |