Types of United States Visas

A Visa is an authorisation to a visitor to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. There are several types of Visas such as Transit Visa, which is valid for some 5 days; Tourist visa, for a limited period of leisure travel, no business activities allowed; Business Visa, for engaging in commerce in the country; Temporary Worker Visa, for approved employment in the host country; On-Arrival Visa, granted at a port of entry; Spousal Visa or Partner Visa, granted to the spouse, civil partner or de facto partner of a resident or citizen; Student Visa, which allows its holder to study at an institution of higher learning and so on.

Visa Waiver Programme of United States

In United States, all foreigners need to obtain a Visa but there are exceptions. US has a Visa Waiver programme for  citizens of all states un US, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and 38 more countries, most of which are highly developed. Under the Visa waiver programme, US allows tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa.

Types of US Visas

The US Visa can be immigrant Visa or Non-immigrant Visa. Then, they have been classified in alphanumerical order such as A1, A2, B1, B2, etc. The number of types of Visa ranges from alpha numerals A to W.

A Visas are for Ambassadors

The A Visas viz. A-1, A-2, and A-3 are are issued to the representatives of a foreign government officials on government duty in US. A-1 visa is given to ambassadors, ministers, career diplomats and consular offices. A-2 is given to any other officers. A-3 is given to the  attendants, servants, or personal employees of A-1 and A-2 visa holders.

B Visas are for Business and Tourism

The B Visas are called “visa for temporary visitors for business or pleasure.” This category included the B-1 and B-2. B-1 is for temporary visitors for business while B-2 is for temporary visitors for tourism. Thus, when a travel agency sends some visitors to United States, they make an arrangement for B2 Visa for their client.

C Visas are for Transit

The C Visas are the transit Visas. They include C-1, C-2 and C-3. Out of them C1 is given to all foreign nationals who are on transit to US. C2 are given to the visitors who are transit to United Nations. The C3 visas are given to foreign government officials and families in transit.

D Visas are for lottery winners etc.

The D Visas are called Diversity Visas given to winners of some lottery or spouses and children that get D Visas.

E Visas are for Traders from Treaty Countries

E Visas are the Business Visas for traders that belong to countries with which US has trade treaties. These include E1, E2 andE3. If a visitor is an immigrant investor from the treaty countries, he shall be given EB5 Visa.

F Visas are for Students

The F visas are for students and exchange visitors: academic students. This means that if students of a college or university in India has to visit US via an student exchange programme, the F visa will be applied for.

G Visas are International Organizations

The G Visas are for the various categories of representatives to international organizations and families. It includes Visa types from G1 to G5.

H Visas are for Skilled Workers

The H visas are for temporary workers. The H Visas are of our special interest. The categories of H Visas are H-1B, H1B1, H1C, H-2A, H2B , H3 and H4. All of them are of Dual intent means employment or training. Out of them, the H1B Visas are for skilled workers means temporary workers and trainees that have specialty occupations. This includes the skilled professionals that go for employment in United States. The employees that come from Chile and Singapore are given the H1B1 Visas as they come under the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreement. If the skilled professionals are registered nurses participating in the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Areas, they shall be given H1C Visas. If the skilled professional comes to US for seasonal agricultural purposes, they come under the H-2A category. if the profession is seasonal but does not pertain to agriculture, then the H2B category is given. H3 Visa is for industrial trainees and H4 Visa is for the spouses and families of H1, H2 and H3 Visa professionals.

I Visas are for media people

The I1 Visas are for foreign media personnnels.

Other Visas

IH visas are for relative of U.S. citizen. The J Visas are for Students and exchange visitors. The K Visas are for fiances(ees) of U.S. citizens who belong to other countries. For example if a Sikh US Citizen is marrying to Indian bride / groom, the fiances(ees) would apply for K Visa. The L Visas are for Intra-company transferees. The M Visas are for vocational students under student exchange programme. N Visas are for NATO officials and families. O Visas are for the professionals who have extraordinary ability or achievement, they are called O1 Workers. O2 visas are given to families of O1 workers. P Visas are for the workers who are internationally recognized athletes or entertainers, artists, entertainers and their families. Q Visas are given to the artists that visit US for cultural exchange programmes. R Visas are for the visitors who visit for Religious works. T Visas are for victims of Human Trafficking. U Visas are for victims of criminal activity, such as rape, murder, manslaughter, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or human trafficking. V Visa means Visa pending and W Visa means Visa waiver under certain circumstances, laws.


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