Free Guide to Understanding US Visa Types and Process

Overview of US Visa Categories and Their Purposes

The United States offers many different types of visas, each designed for specific purposes and situations. Understanding which visa type matches your reason for travel or relocation is the first step in learning about US immigration. The US State Department and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) organize visas into two main categories: immigrant visas, which lead toward permanent residence, and nonimmigrant visas, which are temporary in nature.

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Nonimmigrant visas allow people to visit the United States for a limited time with a specific purpose. These visas have names like B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), F-1 (student), H-1B (specialty occupation worker), and L-1 (intracompany transfer). People holding nonimmigrant visas must return to their home country when their visa expires, though some visa types allow for extensions or changes to different statuses. In 2023, the US issued approximately 6 million nonimmigrant visas worldwide.

Immigrant visas, by contrast, allow people to move to the United States permanently and eventually become citizens. These visas are typically obtained through family sponsorship, employment sponsorship, or through programs like the diversity visa lottery. The process for immigrant visas takes longer than nonimmigrant visas—often several years—because thorough background checks and security clearances are required.

Each visa type has different requirements, fees, processing times, and rules about what you can do while in the United States. Some visas allow work, some do not. Some require a job offer or family member sponsorship, while others do not. Learning the differences helps you understand which visa path might match your circumstances.

Takeaway: Start by identifying whether you need a temporary (nonimmigrant) or permanent (immigrant) visa, as this determines which visa types to learn about further.

Nonimmigrant Visas for Temporary Stays

Nonimmigrant visas are temporary documents that allow foreign nationals to enter and stay in the United States for a defined purpose and period. These visas are far more common than immigrant visas. According to US State Department data, roughly 10 million nonimmigrant visas are issued annually, compared to about 1 million immigrant visas per year.

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The B-1/B-2 visa is one of the most familiar nonimmigrant visas. The B-1 portion covers business travel—attending conferences, meeting with clients, negotiating contracts, or consulting on projects. The B-2 portion covers tourism, visiting family, receiving medical treatment, or taking short courses. Many people enter the US on B-1/B-2 visas. Processing time is typically a few weeks to a few months, and the visa usually allows stays of up to six months per visit, though immigration officers at the port of entry make the final determination.

F-1 visas are for international students pursuing academic study at US schools and universities. To obtain an F-1 visa, a student must first receive acceptance from a US institution, which then issues a Form I-20 document. The student uses this form to begin the visa process. F-1 visa holders can work on campus during school terms and may work off-campus during breaks. As of 2024, approximately 900,000 international students were enrolled in US institutions on F-1 visas.

H-1B visas cover specialty occupation workers, typically in fields like information technology, engineering, healthcare, and finance. Employers sponsor workers for H-1B visas, and the process involves a lottery system due to high demand. H-1B visa holders can work for their sponsoring employer for up to six years (with potential extension). Their spouses may also obtain an H-4 dependent visa.

Other common nonimmigrant visas include the L-1 (intracompany transfer), O-1 (individuals with extraordinary ability), and E-2 (treaty investor). Each has specific requirements and allowed activities.

Takeaway: Identify which nonimmigrant visa type matches your intended activity in the United States, as each type permits different purposes and has different sponsorship or documentation requirements.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Sponsorship

Employment-based immigrant visas allow foreign workers to move permanently to the United States and eventually pursue citizenship. Unlike nonimmigrant work visas, employment-based immigrant visas lead to permanent resident status, commonly called a "green card." US employers must sponsor workers for these visas, and the process typically requires demonstrating that no US workers are available for the position.

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Employment-based immigrant visas are divided into five preference categories, often called EB-1 through EB-5. The EB-1 category includes individuals with extraordinary ability in science, arts, business, or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; and multinational executives and managers. The EB-2 category covers workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. The EB-3 category is for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers. The EB-4 category covers special immigrants, such as religious workers and certain government employees. The EB-5 category is for immigrant investors who invest capital in US business ventures that create jobs.

The employment-based visa process includes a labor certification step in many categories. This step requires the employer to advertise the position and demonstrate that no willing, able, and qualified US workers are available. The process can take 1–3 years or longer depending on the category and the applicant's country of birth. Applicants from countries with high demand, such as India and China, may face additional delays due to per-country visa limits.

Once an employment-based immigrant visa is approved and the person enters the United States, they receive permanent resident status and a green card. This status allows them to live and work anywhere in the United States, change jobs without visa sponsorship, and travel internationally. After five years (or three years in some cases), permanent residents can apply for US citizenship.

In 2023, approximately 323,000 employment-based immigrants were admitted to the United States. These immigrants represented various skill levels and industries, with many concentrated in healthcare, technology, and engineering fields.

Takeaway: If you are seeking permanent employment-based immigration, understand that a US employer must sponsor you and that the process typically takes years, not months, from start to green card approval.

Family-Sponsored Immigration and the Visa Process

Family sponsorship is the most common path to US permanent residence. US citizens and permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for immigrant visas. This process allows relatives to move to the United States permanently and eventually become citizens themselves. According to USCIS data, family-sponsored immigration accounts for approximately 70% of all immigrant visas issued annually.

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US citizens can sponsor spouses, unmarried children under age 21, parents (if the citizen is age 21 or older), and siblings. Permanent residents can sponsor spouses and unmarried children. These are called "immediate relatives" when sponsored by US citizens, and immediate relatives do not face numerical visa limits, meaning their cases can proceed once processing is complete. Cases can take 6 months to 2 years or more depending on the country of origin and case complexity.

For other family relationships—such as married children or adult siblings—there are numerical limits on visas per year, and these cases often involve waiting periods. A permanent resident or US citizen must file a Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) to begin sponsoring a family member. The petitioner must meet income requirements, typically shown through tax returns and an Affidavit of Support document. This document is a legal contract promising the sponsor will support the family member financially and prevent them from using certain government benefits.

After the I-130 petition is approved, the family member must go through visa processing, which includes a medical examination and background checks. For immediate relatives of US citizens, this processing happens at a US embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country. Once approved and the person enters the United States, they become a permanent resident and receive a green card.

The family sponsorship process requires detailed documentation. Applicants must provide birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), divorce decrees (if previously married), police clearance certificates, medical examination results, and often passport information. The US embassy or consulate in the applicant's country reviews all documents before issuing the visa.

Takeaway: If a US citizen or permanent resident family