
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
- Overview. Nonimmigrant visas are for people who wish to go to the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, business, temporary work, study, or medical treatment.
- Visitor Visa Categories. ...
- Study Visa Categories. ...
- Work Visa Categories. ...
- Other Nonimmigrant Visa Categories. ...
What is the difference between immigrant and nonimmigrant visa?
The key difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa is very basic: Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States on a temporary basis – as tourists, for medical treatment, on business, for temporary work, to study, or other similar reasons. Immigrant Visas
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 the difference between immigrant and non immigrant?
The two main classes are immigrant and nonimmigrant and they connote the intent of the individual seeking entry and stay in the country. An immigrant is someone from a foreign country who relocates to live in another country. They may or may not be citizens. Non-immigrants move on their own volition for a certain duration but not permanently.
What is my current nonimmigrant status?
Typically, you can find your status at last entry on your nonimmigrant visa or Form I-94. However, if you changed your status since arriving, your visa category may be different. In this case you can likely find your current immigration status on a Form I-797A, Notice of Action. Did you know minor mistakes on your Form I-765 application can cause costly delays and rejections?

What are 3 types of non immigrant 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 an example of a non immigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist and student visas, permit you to enter the U.S. for a short time. By Ilona Bray, J.D. If you're planning a short trip to the United States, you must, with certain exceptions, obtain a "nonimmigrant" (temporary) visa.
How long is a non immigrant US visa valid for?
U.S. immigration at the port of entry determines how long a person may remain in the United States. The holder of a B-2 visa may be admitted for an initial period of six months, which is extendable in six month increments.
What are the requirements for non immigrant visa?
Here are the required documents for a US visa:An online nonimmigrant DS-160 application form. You can file the form DS-160 here.Your valid passport. ... One photograph. ... Receipt proving payment of $160 for a nonimmigrant US visa application. ... Social media details.
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 are non-immigrants in US?
Nonimmigrant status This status is for people who enter the U.S. on a temporary basis – whether for tourism, business, temporary work, or study. Once a person has entered the U.S. in nonimmigrant status, they are restricted to the activity or reason for which they were allowed entry.
How much does a nonimmigrant visa cost?
$ 160Amount of the consular feeNonimmigrant visa categories (in alphabetical order)U.S. visa fee in U.S. dollarsB visa (Business Visitor / Tourist)$ 160C-1D visa (Crew Members / Transit)$ 160E visa (Trader / Investor)$ 205F visa (Students)$ 1609 more rows
How much is a nonimmigrant visa?
Visa Types and Application Fee Amounts The application fee for the most common nonimmigrant visa types is US$160. This includes tourist, business, student, and exchange visas. Most petition-based visas, such as work and religious visas, are US$190.
How much bank balance is required for US visa?
The amount of bank balance you should have for applying to the US tourist visa depends on the duration. If it is a 15-day trip, you must have $ 5,000-10,000 in your bank. Is travel insurance compulsory for the US travel visa? No, travel insurance is not compulsory for the US travel visa.
How long does a non immigrant visa take to process?
Visa processing takes approximately 21 workdays from the date on which the application is received by the Embassy. A further 2-3 workdays should be allowed for the return of your passport.
What is difference between immigrant and non immigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons. An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States.
Who is a non immigrant?
The U.S. government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign nationals who are admitted to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose. By contrast, the term immigrant refers to foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States permanently.
What are examples of an immigrant visa?
Immigrant Visa CategoriesImmediate Relative & Family SponsoredVisa CategorySpouse of a U.S. CitizenIR1, CR1Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petitionK-3 *Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.K-1 *Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. CitizensIR3, IH3, IR4, IH411 more rows
What is difference between immigrant and non immigrant visa?
Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons. An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States.
Is b1 b2 non immigrant visa?
The B-1/B-2 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows the holder to travel to the United States for either business or tourism purposes.
Is a green card a non immigrant visa?
Green cards are technically a type of visa that allows for permanent residence. Green cards are issued after arrival in the United States. To qualify for a green card, the applicant must have an immigrant visa already, and applications are made to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How long do you have to be employed to get a non-immigrant visa?
In either case, you must have been employed with the multinational company or organisation continuously for a full year within the three years preceding the nonimmigrant visa application. Additional criteria must also be fulfilled where you are looking to open up a new office.
What is a B1 visa?
The Business visa, or B1 visa, is a nonimmigrant visa that allows you to visit the United States for the purposes of undertaking certain business activities, including attending seminars, conferences or meetings. You are not, however, permitted to undertake gainful employment under this type of visa.
How to apply for an E1 trader visa?
There are a number of steps involved in applying for an E1 Treaty Trader visa, in particular E1 visa applicants will need to complete online Form DS-160. Having submitted this form and paid the non-refundable application fee, you will need to schedule an appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate in the country where you reside.
What documents are required for an E1 visa?
At interview, you will be required to produce documentation in support of your E1 visa application, including but not limited to your passport, a copy of Form DS-160 confirmation page, as well as Form DS-156E which requires detail of the treaty trader enterprise. You should also expect that the consular officer will request additional and extensive documentation to determine whether you satisfy the E1 nonimmigrant visa requirements.
What is an intra company transfer visa?
The Intra-Company Transfer visa, or the L1 visa, is a nonimmigrant visa for an employee of a multinational company or organisation who is being temporarily transferred to a parent, branch, affiliate or subsidiary of the same company in the United States. The L1 visa can also be used where an employee of an international company is looking to open a new office in the US.
How to apply for a B1 visa?
To apply for a B1 nonmmigrant visa you will need to complete Form DS-160, an online application form, pay the necessary fee and schedule an interview with your US Embassy or Consulate in the country where you reside.
Do you need to show E2 visa status?
Whether as a treaty investor or an employee, you will need to show that you intend to depart the US when your E2 visa status comes to an end.
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.
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 the difference between immigrant and nonimmigrant?
The U.S. government uses the term nonimmigrant to refer to foreign national s who are admitted to the United States temporarily for a specific purpose . By contrast, the term immigrant refers to foreign nationals who wish to come to the United States permanently.
What happens when an international student comes to the US?
Once an international student fulfills their purpose for coming to the United States, they need to either change their status or depart the country. There are other government terms related to studying in the United States.
Is an F-1 considered a nonimmigrant?
F-1 and M-1 students are considered nonimmigrants because their sole purpose for coming to the United States is to complete a program of study at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program-certified school and any associated practical training, both of which have set start and end dates.
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.
Does the INA cover dependents?
4 Though the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) does not provide a specific nonimmigrant classification for dependents of Q-1 nonimmigrants, this does not preclude the spouse or child of a Q-1 from entering the U.S. in another nonimmigrant classification.
What Are The Most Common Non-Immigrant Visa Categories?
Probably the most common visa petition is for tourists and business travelers. Most of these individuals will be issued a multipurpose B-1/B-2 business/travel visa . These are valid for one year and can be renewed every 6 months after the first year.
What Is An Immigrant Visa?
A foreign national that intends to live and work permanently in the United States must first secure an immigrant visa. When petitioning for their visa, applicants will follow one of two paths depending on their current residency:
What Are The Various Categories Of Immigrant Visas?
The different visa immigrant options are numerous, but it is easier to break them down into two categories: 1) visas not subject to numerical limitations and 2) visas subject to numerical limitations.
What happens if an immigrant visa number becomes available?
If an immigrant visa number becomes available, applicants living in the U.S. must change their status to that of a lawful permanent resident. Those living outside the U.S. most visit a U.S. consulate office.
What is the H-1B category for temporary workers?
Temporary worker non-immigrant visas have also increased in demand lately as employers face a shortage of skilled workers in specific industries, such as technology and agriculture. A majority of these visas will fall under the H-1B category, with agriculture workers usually falling under the H-2A category.
Who approves an immigrant visa?
The USCIS must approve an immigrant visa filed by the relative or employer, including some proof of the relationship;
Who must file for adjustment of status to legal permanent resident?
Foreign nationals already residing in the United States , including certain undocumented immigrants, international students, temporary workers, and refugees. These individuals must file for adjustment of status to legal permanent residents with the Bureau of U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services.
What is DS 160?
The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé (e)) visas. Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State website via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.
What browsers are supported for DS 160?
Use only Internet Explorer 11 or higher, Firefox, or Google Chrome 58 when completing your application. Safari and Microsoft Edge are not supported. The DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application form, is for temporary travel to the United States, and for K (fiancé (e)) visas.
What is a non-immigrant visa in Thailand?
The Thai Non-Immigrant Visa R, also referred to as a visa “R -A” is issued for religious purposes. You need this type of visa if you are traveling to Thailand to do missionary work or other religious activities with the approval of the relevant Thai Ministries or Government Departments.
What is a Thailand Non-Immigrant Visa?
The Non-immigrant Visa for Thailand is the type of visa you have to apply for if you want to live in Thailand long-term or if you want to travel there for a reason other than tourism or transit. For example, if you want to study, work, invest, receive medical treatment, join your Thai spouse, etc, you have to apply for a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa.
What is a Category F visa?
The Category F of the Thai Non-Immigrant Visa is issued to foreigners who hold an ordinary passport and who are traveling for official duties, such as work with a government agency, embassy or consulate, an international organization or a state enterprise in Thailand.
How long is a Thai non-immigrant visa good for?
Thai Non-Immigrant Visa O-A is issued to foreigners over the age of 50 from all countries. It is valid for a maximum of 1 year, and renewable.
Where can I get a Thai visa?
You have to apply for a Thai Non-Immigrant Visa from a Thai Embassy or Consulate in your country.
How long is a passport valid for?
Your passport, which must be valid for at least another six months and have at least two blank visa pages. If you’re applying for a one-year visa, your passport should be valid for at least another 18 months.
How long can a visa be issued?
Multiple-entry, for up to three months. However, in some cases, such as for business or retirement, the visa can be issued for multiple entries for up to one year.
