Non-Immigrant Temporary Visas
U.S Immigration Visa Categories :
Foreign nationals may apply to two types of visas in order to be admitted lawfully to the United States.
These two types are Non-Immigrant Temporary Visas (NIV) and Immigrant Permanent Visas (IV).
Non-Immigrant Temporary Visas :
This type includes the following different categories.
- B-1 /B-2 Business/Tourist Visitor Visas
Business travelers may enter the United States using a B-1 ‘Visitor for Business’ visa. It is given for a short duration & does not involve local employment.
While B-2 visa is given to individuals traveling to the U.S for tourism, pleasure or visiting including (medical treatment, amateur entertainer, amateur athlete and a short course of study).
- E-1/ E-2 Treaty Traders/ Investor Visas and E-3 Visa
This category covers traders (E-1 visa) and investors (E-2 visa) and their employees in order to carry on their businesses in the U.S only in case their home country has a commercial treaty with the U.S. conferring visa eligibility.
While E-3 visa is given for certain specialty occupation professionals for Australians where the applicants for this visa must have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) or higher.
- F-1 and M-1 Student Visas
F-1 is the most common type of student visa for persons seeking to pursue a full course of study at a U.S college or university, private secondary school, or approved English language program.
While M-1 visa is needed for students to engage in non-academic or vocational study or training at a U.S. institution.
- H-1B Specialty Occupation (Professionals) Visas
H-1B visa is available for professional workers with at least a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent work experience) and if their employers can demonstrate that they are to be paid at least the prevailing wage for the position.
- J-1 and Q-1 Exchange Visitor Visas
The J-1 visa is available for students, short term scholars, business trainees, teachers, professors and research, scholars, specialists, international visitors, government visitors, camp counselors, and au pairs.
While Q-1 visa is needed for persons who seek an international cultural exchange program where the purpose of providing practical training and employment, and to share the history, culture, and traditions of the home country with the United States.
- K-1 Fiancé (e) Visas
K-1 visa is available for a fiancé (e) of a U.S. citizen conditioned on the conclusion of the marriage within 90 days from entry to the United States, otherwise, the applicant has to depart and cannot adjust status through other means.
- L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visas
The L-1 visa is available for all businesses ranging from multinational concerns to small and medium-sized enterprises and family-owned enterprises.
- O-1 / O-2 Extraordinary Ability Worker/Related Support Staff Visas
The O-1 visa is available for foreign nationals with extraordinary ability. This includes entertainers, athletes, scientists, and businesspersons.
While O-2 visa is suitable for aliens seeking to accompany O-1 visa holders in the arts, motion picture, television productions, and athletics as essential support staff.
- P-1/ P-2/ P-3 Artists, Athletes and Entertainers Visas
The P-1 visa is available for the international recognized athlete, individually or as part of a group or team also it is available for a member of an internationally recognized entertainment group.
The P-2 visa is available for artist or entertainer coming to perform under a reciprocal exchange program.
The P-3 visa is available for artists and entertainers coming solely to perform, teach, or coach under a culturally unique program.
The P-4 visa is available for spouse and/or unmarried children under age 21 of primary P1, P2, P3 visa holder.
Comparing P visa to O Visa; we conclude that:
- Eligibility standards for the P visa are lower than that for the O visa.
- P visa workers are required to have a residence abroad that they don’t intend to abandon, while O visa workers don’t have to maintain a residence abroad.
- The O visa usually allows the holders to stay longer than P visa.
- R-1 Religious Worker Visas
R-1 visa is available for religious workers (ministers and persons working in the religious vocation or occupation).
- TC and TN NAFTA and US-Canada free trade agreement Visas
TC and TN visas are available for nationals of Canada and Mexico under the provisions of the North America Free Trade Agreement and the U.S Canada Free Trade Agreement.