Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category | Required: Before applying for visa* |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U | USCIS |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T | USCIS |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Chi ... | V | (NA) |
| Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Vi ... | (NA) |
How do I apply for a non immigrant US visa?
- Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
- You must schedule a visa interview appointment. (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the U.S. ...
- Pay the visa application processing fee. Review country-specific instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
What is mean by non immigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant Visa Definition A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to foreign nationals, or aliens, with permanent residence outside the United States, but who wish to, visit, study, live and or work in the U.S. for a specific temporary period of time. A nonimmigrant visa is issued based on a specific category.
What is a non-immigrant visa exactly?
A non-immigrant visa is permission by the United States government, given to a citizen of a foreign country to enter the United States temporarily. In most instances, a visa is issued by a United States consulate (USC) in a foreign country - generally the country of the applicant's nationality or citizenship.
What are immigrant and non-immigrant visas?
An immigrant visa (IV) is issued to a person wishing to live permanently in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States, but wishes to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study, as examples.
What are 3 types of nonimmigrant visas?
What are the nonimmigrant visa types? There are three primary nonimmigrant visa categories. You can visit the United States for temporary tourism or business, study, and work.
What is difference between immigrant and non immigrant visa?
An immigrant visa allows a qualified applicant with an approved petition to reside in the US permanently. A nonimmigrant visa is granted to individuals visiting the US for purposes such as business, vacation, medical treatment and more.
How long does a nonimmigrant visa last?
Depending on your nationality, the validity of your visa can vary between 3 months and 10 years. This is the period of time that you can use your visa to enter the United States, and you can make multiple entries to the United States during that time period.
What does it mean to be a nonimmigrant?
A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States but wishes to be in the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study, as examples. There are more than 20 different categories of nonimmigrant visa classifications.
What are the 4 types of visas?
Which type of visa do you need? Probably one of the four main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work.
Who is classified as a non immigrant?
Nonimmigrants are foreign nationals admitted temporarily to the United States within classes of admission that are defined in section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
What disqualifies you from getting a US visa?
An applicant's current and/or past actions, such as drug or criminal activities, as examples, may make the applicant ineligible for a visa. If denied a visa, in most cases the applicant is notified of the section of law which applies.
How long can a non US citizen stay in US?
six monthsWhen you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the U.S. for up to six months. If you'd like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.
How much is non immigrant visa fee?
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fees are shown below and apply to one visa application. The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is $160. This includes tourist, business, student and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are $190.
What are the 4 types of immigration status?
To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented. The characteristics of each status are explained below.
Are green card holders non immigrants?
Lawful permanent residents (LPRs), also known as “green card” holders, are non-citizens who are lawfully authorized to live permanently within the United States.
Is H-1B a non immigrant visa?
What is the H-1B Visa Category? The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
Is green card immigrant or nonimmigrant?
This is for people who live permanently in the United States. Synonymous terms for immigrant status are: Permanent Resident, immigrant, green card holder, and resident alien. Gaining immigrant status can be a lengthy and complex process that requires close consultation with an immigration attorney.
What do you mean by immigrant?
Definition of immigrant : one that immigrates: such as. a : a person who comes to a country to take up permanent residence. b : a plant or animal that becomes established in an area where it was previously unknown.
Is immigrant visa same as green card?
Immigrant visas can start the process for permanent resident status, but they do not provide resident status themselves. A green card is a physical card that represents the holder's right to permanently live and work within the United States.
How long does it take to get immigrant visa?
Generally speaking, a fair timeframe is approximately 6-10 months from the filing of the immigrant petition to approval at the U.S. Consulate. Timeframes can vary depending on backlogs of cases at both the USCIS and the U.S. Consulate abroad.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to foreign nationals, or aliens, with permanent residence outside the United States, but who wish to, visit, study, live and or work in the U.S. for a specific temporary period of time. A nonimmigrant visa is issued based on a specific category. However, it does not guarantee admission into the United States, ...
What are nonimmigrant categories?
Nonimmigrant classifications include: Foreign government officials; Visitors for business and for pleasure; Foreign nationals in transit through the United States; Treaty traders and investors;
How long is a nonimmigrant visa valid?
A nonimmigrant visa can be valid anywhere from 30 days to 10 years. Visas may be limited to a single entry or may be valid for multiple entries during the period of their validity. The period of time which an alien is allowed to stay on a nonimmigrant visa is indicated on Form I-94 (Departure Record) which is stapled into the foreign national's passport. There are a large variety of nonimmigrant categories, and each exists for a specific purpose and has specific terms and conditions. Nonimmigrant classifications include:
What are the categories of nonimmigrant visas?
There are three primary nonimmigrant visa categories. You can visit the United States for temporary tourism or business, study, and work.
Who needs a nonimmigrant visa?
If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident and plan to temporarily come to the United States, you need a nonimmigrant visa.
What is a M visa?
Another type of student visa is the M visa, for students at vocational or other accredited nonacademic institutions. However, language training programs fall under the F visa category.
Where to schedule an interview for a visa?
The next step for visa applicants is to schedule an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy. You should check ahead of time through the U.S. Department of State about appointment wait times. Check that there are no current travel restrictions, such as coronavirus pandemic-related ones. Your visa appointment wait time will depend on the U.S. Consulate General location you choose.
Is immigration help free?
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What are the two categories of visas?
There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States.
Who can petition on behalf of an individual?
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Certain applicants such as workers with extraordinary ability, investors, and certain special immigrants can petition on their own behalf.
Can you travel to a foreign country with a round trip ticket?
Be in possession of a round-trip ticket that will transport the individual out of the United States to any other foreign port or place as long as the trip does not terminate in contiguous territory or an ; except that the round trip ticket may transport the traveler to contiguous territory or an , if the traveler is a resident of the country of destination or if arriving at a land border, provide evidence of financial solvency and a domicile abroad to which the traveler intends to return;
What is non-immigrant visa?
Non-immigrant visas are interview-based. Interviewing officers rely on statements made by the applicant to determine visa eligibility, although they may consult supporting documents such as affidavits of support, travel arrangements, employment letters or financial statements to verify statements made in the interview.
How to check status of visa application?
Applicants can easily check the status of their cases online with the U.S. Department of State’s CEAC Status Check by following the instructions below. Use your CEAC barcode or case number and the location where your interview occurred to check the status of your case. Click on “Check My Visa Application Status.”.
How to check if your visa application is approved?
Use your CEAC barcode or case number and the location where your interview occurred to check the status of your case. Click on “Check My Visa Application Status.” If you received a 221g letter or were told your case requires further “Administrative Processing” this system will let you know if your case has been approved, requires more information, or is still being processed.
What is Section 214 B?
Section 214 (b) of the INA requires all applicants to overcome the presumption of immigrant intent by establishing that they have sufficient professional, economic, and social ties to assure their departure after a limited stay in the United States & their intent to abide by the terms of the visa class.
How long does a passport last?
2. Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements).
How long does a passport need to be valid?
2. Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements). 3. Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160.
What is the purpose of a second immigration officer?
During secondary inspection, a second immigration officer will review your case and ask you about your travel and background.
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States, but wishes to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study , as examples. Note: There are more than 20 different categories of nonimmigrant visa classifications.
How many different categories of nonimmigrant visas are there?
Note: There are more than 20 different categories of nonimmigrant visa classifications.
What form do I need to file for a change of status?
Spouses and children requesting a change of status or extension of stay in a dependent nonimmigrant classification must file Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status . Please see the Form I-539 instructions for further information on filing procedures for this application.
Do aliens have to pay taxes?
Aliens employed in the U.S. may have a U.S. tax obligation. See the Taxation of Nonresident Aliens page on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website for more information.
What determines the type of student visa you need?
Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.
What is an F-1 visa?
F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.
What is ESTA in travel?
Fill out the (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.
What is transit C visa?
Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.
What happens if you violate your work visa?
If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked. You could be deported, arrested, or denied re-entry into the U.S.
Do you need an authorization to travel under VWP?
If you plan to visit the U.S. under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip. Authorization approvals are determined using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) .
Can an international student apply for a student visa?
An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.
What determines what type of visa is required?
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.
What does a consular officer determine when applying for a visa?
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. ALL / ALL /.
What is a K visa?
K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Nonimmigrant visas allow people to visit the United States for short periods and for specific purposes. If you want to move here permanently, please see the information below on immigrant visas.
Immigrant Visas
Do you want to immigrate to the United States, meaning you want to move here permanently? Do you want to sponsor someone to immigrate? Immigrant visas are based on family ties, employment, and the diversity visa. If you want to visit for a short period for a specific purpose, please learn about nonimmigrant visas above.
