
Immigrant vs Non-immigrant Visa – What are the differences between immigrant vs non-immigrant visa?
- Immigrant Visas. An immigrant visa is use when the applicant wishes to make the United States his/her permanent home.
- Non-immigrant Visas. Non-immigrant visas are much simpler to obtain and will not require the applicant to be put on a waiting list in order to obtain one.
- Immigrant vs Non-immigrant Visa. ...
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How long does it take to get a nonimmigrant visa?
The B-1 visa for temporary business-related visits to the United States is one of the most popular non-immigrant visas. There’s no specific timeline for a B-1 visa application. It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to several months to process your visa. It depends largely on the workload of your local U.S. embassy. B-2 Visa
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 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.
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 are the 4 types of immigrants?
To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented.
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 does nonimmigrant visa mean?
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.
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 can a nonimmigrant stay in the US?
six monthsU.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.
How long is immigrant visa valid for?
You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.
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.
How do I know if I am an immigrant?
Simply put, an immigrant is a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth. No matter if that person has taken the citizenship of the destination country, served in its military, married a native, or has another status—he or she will forever be an international migrant.
Is an immigrant visa a green card?
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).
What are the 3 types of immigration?
When immigrating to the US, there are four different immigration status categories that immigrants may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
What type of US visa do I need?
Nonimmigrant Visa CategoriesPurpose of TravelVisa CategoryRequired: Before applying for visa*Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitorB-2(NA)Training in a program not primarily for employmentH-3USCISTreaty trader/treaty investorE(NA)Transiting the United StatesC(NA)31 more rows
How many types of immigrant visas are there in USA?
There are two major categories of immigrant visas: Immediate Relative and Family Sponsored. Employer Sponsored.
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.
What are the types of nonimmigrant status?
Examples of nonimmigrant classes of admission include foreign government officials, temporary visitors for business and pleasure, aliens in transit, treaty traders and investors, academic and vocational students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, athletes and entertainers, victims of certain crimes, and certain ...
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.
What is j1 visa status?
J-1 Status J-1 visa status is generally used for students in specific educational exchange programs such as the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP), Fulbright, LASPAU, DAAD, AmidEast, or others. It may also be used by the university for students in degree programs.
What is the difference between a nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa?
In short, the United States grants an immigrant visa to people that intend to work and live permanently in the United States and issues a nonimmigrant visa to people who are temporarily visiting the U.S.
What is the purpose of a nonimmigrant visa?
within a certain time frame. The purpose for the visit may be tourism, business, temporary work, or school.
What is an immigrant visa?
The U.S. government grants an immigrant visa to foreign-born individuals who intend make the United States a permanent home. Synonymous terms for immigrant visa include: permanent resident, immigrant, green card holder, and resident alien.
Can an immigrant work in the US?
Those with immigrant status may work in the United States and live within the U.S. with most of the privileges and rights as U.S. citizens. To acquire an immigrant via, most people are sponsored by a family member or employer in the United States.
What is an immigrant?
Definition. 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. Legal Status. Immigrants are subject to the laws of their adopted country.
How long can a non-immigrant stay in the US?
A non-immigrant may live in the country for several years without any application to permanently resettle. Many people in the nonimmigrant status later apply to change their status to immigrant because they may later want to settle in their adopted country permanently.
What are the two main categories of entry permits?
The United States and most other countries offer various classes of entry permits to non-citizens. The two main classes are immigrant and nonimmigrant and they connote the intent of the individual seeking entry and stay in the country.
What are some examples of immigrant visas?
Examples of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas for the United States. In the United States, visas such as business or tourist visa, and work visas such as H1B or L1 are nonimmigrant visas. These visas allow people to live and work in the United States for a limited period of time - from 6 months to several years.
Can a non-immigrant visa be extended?
This is because non-immigrant visas are not to be used for permanent residence. An immigrant visa for the United States is also called a Green Card.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
A “non-immigrant” is a person who wishes to stay in the U.S. on a temporary basis for a specific purpose. Examples of commonly obtained immigrant visas include: Examples of commonly obtained non-immigrant visas include: Professors, scholars, and teachers (exchange visitors)
Is a person who is not a citizen an alien?
Any person, who is not a U.S. citizen or national, is an “alien.” § 1101 (a) (3).
Is an alien a non-immigrant?
An alien is only a “nonimmigrant” if the alien falls into one of the categories specifically listed in § 1101 (a) (15). In general, an “immigrant” is a person who wishes to live in the U.S. permanently. A “non-immigrant ” is a person who wishes to stay in the U.S. on a temporary basis for a specific purpose.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
Non-immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of nonimmigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law, and related to the purpose of the travel. Generally, an individual applies directly to the U.S. consulate or embassy abroad for a tourist (B-2) or business nonimmigrant (B-1) visa. However, foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States to study or work may require certain authorization and documentation prior to applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
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.
What is an immigrant visa?
Immigrant visas are for people who want to move to the U.S. permanently. Those who are granted an immigrant visa come to the U.S. and become Lawful Permanent Residents or “green card holders” and are put on a path to US citizenship.
What are the two main categories of visas?
There are two main categories of visas: immigrant visas and nonimmigrant visas.
What is a waiting list for an immigrant visa?
Immigrant visas are subject to numerical limitations. That means that each of the immigrant visa categories has a certain number of allotted visas. Once the quota is filled, a “waiting list” is created that may delay your arrival into the U.S.
What does it mean when a visa is reviewed?
The visa indicates that your application has been reviewed by a US consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the consular officer has determined that you are eligible for the visa classification for the specific purpose you sought.
How many types of visas are there?
There are more than 30 types of visas available within the nonimmigrant classification, covering a broad variety of reasons why someone may come to the U.S. for a short time. These reasons run the gamut from tourism to business to employment in the U.S.
What is the basis for most immigration laws in effect today?
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and its numerous amendments are the basis for most immigration laws in effect today.
Do you need a sponsor for a diversity visa?
Visas provided are drawn from countries with low rates of immigration to the US. Unlike other types of immigrant visas, Diversity Visas (DV) do not require a US sponsor, and therefore a petition is not needed.
What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a 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, ...
What is a qualified nonimmigrant visa?
Qualified nonimmigrant visas allow a foreign national with specific skills, education or expertise that will benefit the employer, the employer’s industry or the U.S, in general, to work in the United States, such as a multinational executive (L-1) an individual in a specialty occupation (H-1B) or with extraordinary ability (O-1).
What is dual intent visa?
The dual intent visa class allows a nonimmigrant status visa holder to come to the United States with the eventual intention of becoming a permanent immigrant. This allows visa holders such as H-1B professionals to enter the U.S. while simultaneously seeking lawful permanent resident status (Green Card status). E, H-1 and L nonimmigrant categories are also allowed to enter and remain nonimmigrants while simultaneously pursuing permanent resident status.
Can a non-citizen get a green card?
However, that does not mean that every relation of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident will qualify for a Green Card.
Can an immigrant visa be a permanent resident?
Most people who come to the United States on an immigrant visa come through family immigration. Relatives of United States citizens may qualify for lawful permanent residency.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
Non-immigrant visas are usually designed to allow someone to stay in the US for a temporary time. These visas usually do not permit someone to set up residency in the US and many non-immigrant visas also do not permit visitors to work in the US, although some do allow work authorization. There are more than 20 non-immigrant visa categories, ...
How many categories of B-1 visas are there?
While there are more than 20 non-immigrant visa categories, there are only four categories for immigrant visas.
Can a foreign national enter the US?
Both immigrant and non-immigrant visas allow a foreign national to enter the US. However, the two types of visas vary widely. Non-immigrant visas allow someone to request Department of Homeland Security officials at US port s of entry permission to enter the US temporar ily.
Can a non-immigrant visa be denied entry to the US?
It is important to keep in mind that non-immigrant visas only allow a person to seek entry into the US. They do not guarantee entry and visa holders may still be denied entry to the US by Department of Homeland Security and other border officials.
What is a visa in passport?
A visa is an endorsement that is put within the passport that grants the holder official have permission to enter, leave or stay in any country for a specific period of time.
What are the two categories of US visas?
There are just two categories of US Visa, they are the nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa.
Where is the application sent for an immigrant visa?
The application is then sent to the appropriate US consulate or embassy overseas in order for them to continue the process and issues an immigrant visa to the intending immigrant when found eligible.
Does a visa give you entry to the US?
Giving of visa does not mean that you have entry to the United States. the Visa just shows that a US consular has seen the application and review it and through that knows if the applicant is eligible to enter the country for a period of time and this applies to both a nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa.
Can an immigrant be a permanent resident?
Also, the immigrant can be recognized as a permanent resident as oos as the immigrant visa and the complete paperwork is reviewed and signed by the CBP officer.
Can you distinguish between a nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa?
People tend not to distinguish between a Nonimmigrant Visa and an immigrant visa, and subsequently get to confuse one for the other. This article will be an eye-opener to what they are and their differences.
How long does a non-immigrant visa last?
The average validity of the non-immigrant visa is somewhere between three months and ten years. Within this time, you can enter multiple times in the United States.
Is Immigrant Visa the same as a green card?
No Immigration visa is not the same as the green card; an immigrant visa grants you to apply for the permanent resident; they do not give the permanent resident by themselves. A green card is a visa card that allows you to work and live within the United States. Before applying for a Green card, you will have to apply for the immigrant visa.
