Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Arrival/Departure Records (Form I-94)
DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico
List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates that Process Immigrant Visas
U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)
Presidential Proclamation 9645 and the January 2020 Presidential Proclamation
Electronic Submission of Diversity Visa Lottery Applications
Application Fees for Non-Immigrant Visas to Increase on January 1, 2008
Briefing on Developments in the Iraqi Refugee and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Admissions Programs
DHS Proposes Changes to Improve H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program
Update: Biometric Changes for Re-entry Permits and Refugee Travel Documents
With All the Talk about Illegal Immigration, a Look at the Legal Kind
USCIS Releases Preliminary Number of FY 2009 H-1B Cap Filings
USCIS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Change to H-2A Program
17-Month Extension of Optional Practical Training for Certain Highly Skilled Foreign Students
USCIS Revises Filing Instructions for Petition for Alien Relative
USCIS Announces Update for Processing Petitions for Nonimmigrant Victims of Criminal Activity
USCIS to Allow F-1 Students Opportunity to Request Change of Status
USCIS Issues Guidance for Approved Violence against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petitioners
New York Business Group Seeks Fewer Restrictions on Foreign Worker Visas
DHS Signs Visa Waiver Program Agreements with Slovakia, Hungary and Lithuania
Questions and Answers: USCIS Announces Interim Rule on H-1B Visas
Department of State Announces Diversity Visa Lottery (DV-2010) Registration
President Bush Announces Visa Waiver Program Expansion - VWP travel begins November 17
Nonminister Special Immigrant Religious Worker Program Expiration
MEDIA NOTE: Proposal for Increase of Non-Immigrant Visa Application Fees
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.
The chart below contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:
Purpose of Travel |
Visa Category |
Required: Before applying for visa* |
Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) |
(NA) |
|
Au pair (exchange visitor) |
SEVIS |
|
Australian professional specialty |
DOL |
|
Border Crossing Card: Mexico |
(NA) |
|
Business visitor |
(NA) |
|
CNMI-only transitional worker |
(USCIS) |
|
Crewmember |
(NA) |
|
Diplomat or foreign government official |
A
|
(NA) |
Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign national employer |
(NA) |
|
Employee of a designated international organization or NATO |
(NA) |
|
Exchange visitor |
SEVIS |
|
Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States |
(NA) |
|
Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics |
USCIS |
|
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: |
H-1B1 - Chile H-1B1 - Singapore |
DOL |
International cultural exchange visitor |
USCIS |
|
Intra-company transferee |
USCIS |
|
Medical treatment, visitor for |
(NA) |
|
Media, journalist |
(NA) |
|
NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada |
(NA) |
|
Performing athlete, artist, entertainer |
USCIS |
|
Physician |
SEVIS |
|
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) |
SEVIS |
|
Religious worker |
USCIS |
|
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge |
DOL then USCIS |
|
Student: academic, vocational |
SEVIS |
|
Temporary agricultural worker |
DOL then USCIS |
|
Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. |
DOL then USCIS |
|
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor |
(NA) |
|
Training in a program not primarily for employment |
USCIS |
|
Treaty trader/treaty investor |
(NA) |
|
Transiting the United States |
(NA) |
|
Victim of Criminal Activity |
USCIS |
|
Victim of Human Trafficking |
USCIS |
|
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V | (NA) |
|
(NA) |
*What the abbreviations above mean - Before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the following is required:
Important Notes:
The chart below contains different purposes for immigrating to the United States, and the related immigrant visa categories for which information is available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:
Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored |
|
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen |
|
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 |
|
Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens |
|
Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents |
|
Employer Sponsored – Employment |
|
Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
|
E1 E2 E3, EW3 C5, T5, R5, I5 S (many**) |
Religious Workers |
|
Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters |
|
Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government |
|
Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government |
|
Other Immigrants |
|
Diversity Immigrant Visa |
|
Returning Resident |
Important Notes:
*K Visas – Listed with immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes.
About this chart - This chart is a list of many immigrant visa categories, but not every immigrant visa category.
**Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 502.1 for a listing of all immigrant visa categories.
Lost and Stolen Passports, Visas, and Arrival/Departure Records (Form I-94)
Nonimmigrants in the United States–Applying for Visas in Canada or Mexico
List of U.S. Embassies and Consulates that Process Immigrant Visas
U.S. Government Fact Sheet on Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C)
Wilberforce Guidance - Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers
Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers - Brazilian Portuguese
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