U.S. Visa Categories

Short business trips — meetings, conferences and negotiations.

Tourism, holidays, family visits and medical treatment.

Immediate and continuous transit through the United States.

Full-time academic study at SEVP-certified institutions.

Practical training for F-1 students — during and after study.

For spouses and minor children of F-1 students.

Vocational and non-academic training programs.

For spouses and minor children of M-1 students.

Approved cultural and educational exchange programs.

For spouses and minor children of J-1 exchange visitors.

For specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher.

H-1B without the annual lottery — for qualifying employers.

Seasonal or temporary agricultural work.

Seasonal or peak-load non-agricultural work.

Training not available in your home country.

Extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business or athletics.

Extraordinary ability in the arts or the motion picture / TV industry.

Essential support staff accompanying an O-1 artist or athlete.

Internationally recognized athletes and entertainment groups.

Performers in a reciprocal exchange program.

Culturally unique artists and entertainers.

Ministers and religious workers of a nonprofit religious organization.

Specialty occupation visa reserved for Australian nationals.

For qualifying Canadian and Mexican professionals.

Representatives of foreign press, radio, film and print media.

Carry on substantial trade between the U.S. and a treaty country.

Invest a substantial amount in a U.S. business.

Transfer executives and managers to a U.S. office.

Transfer specialized-knowledge employees to a U.S. office.

Permanent residence through qualifying U.S. investment.

Self-petition green card for those at the top of their field.

For internationally recognized professors and researchers.

Permanent residence for multinational managers and executives.

For advanced-degree professionals and those of exceptional ability.

Self-petition green card when your work benefits the U.S.

For skilled workers, professionals and other workers.

Permanent residence for certain 'special immigrants'.

Permanent residence sponsored by a close relative.

Green cards for nationals of low-immigration countries.

Bring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry within 90 days.

For spouses of U.S. citizens awaiting immigrant visa processing.

Immigrant visa (green card) for the spouse of a U.S. citizen.

Green card for the parent of an adult U.S. citizen.

Spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents.

Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.

Brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.

For dependents of H visa holders (e.g. H-1B).

For spouses and children of L-1 transferees.

For spouses and children of O-1 and O-2 holders.