Visa Applications and Adjustment of Status
Non-Immigrant Visas
Foreign nationals who wish to enter the United States on a temporary basis for work, pleasure, or study may seek a variety of non-immigrant visas. These include:
A. Foreign government officials. The A-1 visa is available for ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomats and immediate family members. The A-2 visa is for other accredited official or employees of foreign governments and immediate family members. Personal attendants, servants, employees of holders of A-1 and A-2 visas, and their immediate family members are eligible for the A-3 visa.
B-1. Visitors for business. This visa allows business visitors to temporarily visit the United States.
B-2. Visitors for pleasure. The B-2 visitor visa is issued for short periods of time for pleasure trips, to visit friends and relatives, for medical treatment, or to attend social or service-related activities. The B-2 visa is also available for immediate family members (spouses, children and parents) of B-1 visa holders.
C. Aliens in transit. The transit visa enables travelers through the United States to visit family or friends and to engage in tourist ventures. Individuals involved with the United Nations may travel to the UN in New York with a C-2 visa. Government officials traveling through the U.S. may do so with a C-3 visa. Family members and personal employees of government officials are also eligible for the C-3 visa.
D. Crewmen. D-1 visas are available to crew members of ships, including musicians, chefs, and stewards of non-fishing vessels. D-2 visas are available to crew members of fishing vessels.
E. Treaty traders and investors. The treaty traders and investors visas are available to nationals of a country with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The individuals applying for the E-1 visa should be coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade or direct and develop a business in which they have or will invest substantial capital. E-2 treaty investors should be coming to the U.S. to invest substantial sums.
E. Treaty traders and investors. The treaty traders and investors visas are available to nationals of a country with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation. The individuals applying for the E-1 visa should be coming to the United States to engage in substantial trade or direct and develop a business in which they have or will invest substantial capital. E-2 treaty investors should be coming to the U.S. to invest substantial sums.
F. Students. The F-1 visa is available for participants in academic programs in secondary schools and colleges. Immediate family members of F-1 visa holders are eligible for the F-2 visa. Canadian and Mexican students commuting daily to the United States to attend school use F-3 visas.
G-1. International organization personnel. Designated principal representatives of foreign governments coming to the United States to work for an international organization are eligible for the G-1 visa. Other accredited representatives are eligible for G-2 visas.
H-1B. Specialty occupations. The H-1B visa allows foreign nationals the ability to work in the United States in a wide variety fields including engineering, health, medicine and architecture. The requirements of this visa include sponsorship by an employer.
H-2B. Skilled and unskilled non-agricultural workers. Employers use this visa to fill temporary needs for non-immigrant workers.
H-3. Trainees. This visa enables foreign nationals to train in almost any endeavor in the United States including technology, agriculture, communications or government.
I. Media personnel. The I visa is available to reporters, film crew members, and freelance journalists working for a foreign media company or it U.S.-based subsidiary.
J. Exchange personnel. The J-1 visa enables foreign nationals an opportunity to participate in exchange programs in the United States including students, on-the-job trainees, teachers conducting research, and teaching among others.
K. Spouses, fiancées or fiancés of U.S. citizens. Foreign nationals coming to the United States to marry U.S. citizens, as well as their children and their spouses awaiting approval of their immigrant petitions are eligible for K-1, K-2, or K-3 visas.
L. Intra-company transferees. Employees of international organizations that transfer the employees to the United States for temporary periods of time are eligible for the L-1 visa. The employees include executives and managers, personnel with specialized knowledge and family members.
M. Vocational students. This visa is for non-academic or vocational studies.
N. Parents and children of special immigrants.
O. Aliens of extraordinary ability or achievement. Persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, as well as persons working in the motion picture or television industries, may enter the United States for temporary periods with the O-1 visa. Support personnel for O-1 visa holders in athletics, entertainment, motion picture and television productions are eligible for O-2 visas.
P. Artists, entertainers, and athletes. Athletes, circus artists, and entertainers who plan to work in the United States may apply for the P-1 visa as well as athletes who plan to compete within the United States. Traveling bands, artists, and entertainers may apply for the P-2 visa through government-recognized reciprocal exchange programs. Teachers may enter the United States with P-3 visas.
Q. International cultural exchange program participants. The Q-1 visa provides individuals the opportunity for practical training and employment in the United States while participating in exchange visitor programs.
R. Ministers, professional workers in religious vocations or occupations, and other religious workers. Religious workers such as monks, nuns, and religious brothers and sisters may enter the United States for temporary periods to engage in activities related to traditional religious functions.
S. Persons with information on a criminal organization who cooperate with the government.
T. Victims of trafficking. Women and children who are in the United States because they are victims of trafficking and are cooperating with law-enforcement are able to apply for a T visa.
TN. NAFTA traders. Certain Canadian and Mexican citizens may enter the United States with TN status to temporarily work in NAFTA-approved professional occupations.
U. Victims of criminal activity who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and are assisting in an investigation or prosecution may apply for a U visa..
Each non-immigrant category has a maximum-stay limitation and a list of permissible activities for holders of each visa. The permissible activities include education and employment for some types of non-immigrant visa. A person categorized as a non-immigrant in the United States may apply to change to another non-immigrant category or to extend the length of stay. A non-immigrant can also become eligible for permanent resident status.