
There are two types of US visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Within those two categories are many sub sectors based on your specific needs, situation, and intention of travel/moving. It is important to note that if you are a Canadian NAFTA
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Full Answer
How many types of visas are there in the US?
There are two main categories of U.S. visas: Nonimmigrant visas – For travel to the United States on a temporary basis. Immigrant visas – For travel to live permanently in the United States.
What type of visa do I need to enter the US?
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas: Nonimmigrant visas – For travel to the United States on a temporary basis.
What is a US visa?
What is a U.S. Visa? A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
How can I find out what type of visa I have?
How can I find out what visa type I have? B category visas are visas for general business and tourist travel to the United States. Your Visa Class, or category, appears in the upper right-hand portion of your visa.

How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?
Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport or land border crossing, and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate a consular officer at a U.S.
What Types of Visas Are There?
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:
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How to get a US visa?
Whatever type of US visa you need, the process begins with paying the consular fee and completing the appropriate application form on the U.S. Department of State website. Next, you must make an appointment for an interview (you can do this here) and arrive at the U.S. Consulate on the scheduled date.
How to get a photo for an American visa?
To get the correct photo for your American visa online, simply upload any portrait of yourself here . The picture must be in full-face, with even lighting. You must not be wearing glasses or headgear (unless your religion requires it), your hair must not fall over your face, and your facial expression must be neutral.
What happens if you choose the wrong visa type?
Be careful: if you choose the wrong type of US visa, you may encounter difficulties at your visa interview. If the officer decides that the declared visa type does not match your trip, you will be required to submit additional documents or reapply and pay one more consular fee.
What is the difference between a B1 and B2 visa?
B1B2 is the most common type of American visa. A B-1 visa allows entry to America for business purposes , while a B-2 visa is issued for tourism, medical care, and other non-commercial goals. Most often, categories B1 and B2 are combined into a general B1/B2 visa, suitable for all the above purposes.
What type of visa is needed for continuing education?
Non-academic training (for example, continuing education) requires an M-1 visa type. To apply for any US student visa, you should submit form I-20, which confirms enrollment in the program. Applicants must also show proof that they are indeed enrolled and that they have sufficient funds.
What visas are eligible for green card?
EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5 work visas to America make you eligible for a green card.
What is an au pair visa?
Depending on the program, this visa may entitle you to temporary employment in the United States . It is also suitable for the famous U.S. Work and Travel and Au Pair programs.
What is type A visa?
Type A Visas are issued for official government exercises and incorporate three unique classes. These are type A-1, A-2, and A-3. A-1 is issued to foreign government authorities and their families including envoys, consular officers, vocation representatives and government ministers. A-2 is issued to other foreign government authorities together with their representatives. A-3 is issued to individual workers, participants and representatives of both A-1 and A-2 Visa holders.
Why is a visa required?
A Visa is required so as to allow movement, entry and stay in the United States. In the United States, different Visa types are issued relying upon the reason of the visit. A Visa is required so as to allow movement, entry and stay in the United States. On the off chance that the foreign nationals originate from Visa-excluded nations or ...
What is a non-migrant visa?
This kind of non-migrant Visa is issued to foreign nationals who are in travel to another nation through the United States. It incorporates three classifications. C-1 is issued to outsiders on travel, C-2 to outsiders in travel to the United States and C-3 to foreign government authorities and their families in travel.
How long are green cards good for?
They are valid for 10 years for permanent residents and for two years for conditional permanent residents. After the respective periods elapse, they must be renewed or replaced.
What Does a US Visa Look Like?
You should check whether it has your correct information that matches the data in your passport, and all the parts that are in the sample visa. If it does not contain all the information, you should contact the US Embassy that has issued it.
How many types of visas are there in the US?
There are about 185 types of US visas, grouped into two main categories: Nonimmigrant visas. Issued for temporary visits to the United States such as for tourism, business, employment, family visit, and studying. Immigrant visas.
What is the Difference Between a Nonimmigrant Visa and an Immigrant Visa?
The main difference between nonimmigrant and immigrant visas is the length of time that the visa holder is allowed to stay in the US. Nonimmigrant visas are temporary, which means that they expire and the visa holder must return to their home country immediately.
Does Having a US Visa Guarantee Entry Into the United States?
Possessing a valid US visa does not guarantee entry into the US. The border patrol at any US point of entry is responsible for anyone who enters the country.
How Long Can I Stay in the United States With a Visa?
This date depends on the type of visa. There are visas which are valid for only 3 months, and some that are valid for 3 years.
What to do When my US Visa Expires?
If your US visa expires, you have the chance to renew it through a similar procedure to the initial US Visa application process . All US visas have a date of issue and a date when they will expire stamped on the passport. It is necessary to renew the US visa only if the expiration date of the visa has passed.
Can I Enter the US Without a Valid Visa?
Unfortunately, once your visa has expired and is not valid anymore, you will not be allowed to enter the United States. If you try to enter the United States with an expired visa, the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will make you return to your home country.
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.
