The United States of America is one of the most popular destinations in the world for tourism, study, work, and immigration. Travelers come from all over the world looking to obtain a US Visa. There are many types of US visas for both short-term and long-term periods of stay, that travelers can apply for.
If you are from one of the below “Visa Waiver Program” countries, you will not need a visa in order to make short trips (i.e. visits lasting 90 days or fewer) to the United States for tourism or business reasons (so long as you receive authorization via the ESTA visa waiver program for USA):*
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein , Lithuania , Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom
If you are from a country not on the above list (i.e. you are a citizen of another country) you will most likely need a visa to enter the USA.
*Please note that the ESTA USA is a simple electronic authorization required from VWP holders (rather than an actual visa).
US visa categories
There are two main categories of US visas: immigrant and non-immigrant. The non-immigrant US visa is for short term visitors; immigrant visas are for long-term stays. You should apply for an immigrant visa if you are looking to live in the United States (rather than simply visit). You should apply for a non-immigrant US visa if you want to visit the country. In general, foreigners looking to work and study in America for years (rather than weeks or months) should apply for an immigrant visa.
US visa types
There are numerous US visa types (and subtypes) of non-immigrant and immigrant visas. The most popular US visa types are listed below:
EB-1 Visa (Employment First Preference: Priority Worker and Persons of Extraordinary Ability)
EB-2 Visa (Employment Second Preference: Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability)
EB-3 Visa (Employment Third Preference: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers)
EB-4 Visa (Employment Fourth Preference: Certain Special Immigrants)
EB-5 Visa (Employment Fifth Preference: Immigrant Investors)
Diversity Immigrant visa
Family-based Immigrant visas:
IR1, IR2, IR3, IR4, IR5 Visas (Spouse Visa to USA, also parent and child)
F2A, F2B Visas (spouse, child of permanent resident)
F3 Visa (married children)
F4 Visa (sibling)
K-1 Fiancé Visa
K-3 Spouse Visa to USA
Non-immigrant visas:
Visitor visas B
For foreigners looking to “visit” the US (i.e. enter without the intention of living there) to accomplish short term objectives, including sightseeing and temporary work. Subtypes of the US Tourist visa include:
B-1 visa (Business B1 visa to USA)
B-2 visa (Tourism B2 visa to USA)
Student Visas (F , M)
For foreigners looking to attend school in the US. Subtypes include:
F-1 Student visa (Academic)
M-1 Student visa (Vocational)
Trade Treaty (E-Visa):
For foreigners from “Treaty” countries who are pursuing US entry in order to conduct trade (a term inclusive of multiple activities that can include tourism, and banking—for example) or oversee and monitor the activities of an entity in which they are a significant investor. Subtypes include:
E-1 Visa (Treaty Trader)
E-2 Visa (Treaty Investor)
Transit visa (C-Visa)
For traveling foreigners who need to briefly enter US territory (typically via a connecting flight at a US airport) in order to reach their final destination.
Visa Waiver Program VWP
Foreigners from “Visa Waiver Program” countries looking to make short trips (i.e. visits lasting 90 days or fewer) to the United States for tourism or business may enter the US through the VWP (pending their receipt of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA Visa USA).
Additional non-immigrant visas:
Temporary Employment visas: H and L1 Visa to USA, O P Q
H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3 Visas (Temporary Work visa for USA)
L1 Visa to USA
(Intra-company transferee)
O-1, O-2 Visas (Extraordinary Temporary workers)
P-1, P-2, P-3 Visas (Artistic/Cultural Temporary workers in exchange)
Q-1 Visa (Cultural Exchange Program)
Exchange Visitor visa J (J1 Visa USA, J-2 dependants)