Summary of Popular US Visa Categories

Here, we will discuss different Visa Types issued byforeign nationals are eligible for H-2B work Visas who
USCIS.are eager to come to United States for a temporary
Every foreign national, seeking to enter the Unitedor seasonal job (non-agricultural) offered by US
States for different reasons must obtain a US Visa,employer.
before entering States. Depending upon the different5. C-1 Transit Visa - Foreign nationals who need to
needs of foreign nationals US Citizenship andenter US in order to transit to another country need
Immigration Services offer different types of Visa.C-1 Transit Visa. People with C-1 Transit Visa are
Normally we can categorize different Visa types intoallowed to travel (for a maximum of 29 days) in United
two popular categories:States when their destination is another country.
However, people holding B-1 Business Visa or B-2
1. Nonimmigrant Visa (For temporary stay in US)Tourist Visa doesn't need Transit Visa. Citizens from
2. Immigrant Visa (For permanent stay in US)countries eligible for Visa Waiver Program also don't
Depending upon particular requirements of foreignneed a Transit Visa.
nationals and their purpose of visit to United States, US6. F-1 Student Visa - USCIS offers F-1 Student Visa to
Citizenship and Immigration Services offer followingforeign Students willing to undergo higher studies in
types of Visa:United States. Foreign students seeking F-1 Students
1. B-1 Business Visa - US Citizenship and ImmigrationVisa must have a valid educational purpose for coming
Services offer B-1 Business Visa to foreign nationalsto United States. However, only students participating in
working for any foreign company. Foreign citizensfull time educational programs are eligible to apply for
willing to visit the United States for business purposesF-1 Student Visa, this type of Visa is not for part time
(it should not involve receiving salary or payment) arestudents. Students with F-1 Visa can stay in United
eligible to apply for a B-1 Business Visa.States till the end of their educational session. F-1 Visa
2. B-2 Tourist Visa - Foreign national who wish to visitis multi-entry Visa, and they are free to enter United
States for touring purposes, spending vacations or forStates many times (before end of their study period).
medical treatment are eligible to apply for B-2 TouristThey are also allowed to travel freely anywhere in
Visa. Citizens of countries qualifying for Visa WaiverUSA. They are also allowed to do practical trainings
Program also need B-2 Tourist Visa, if they plan toduring their study period to gain work experience. In
stay in United States for more than 90 days.many cases, students obtaining a bachelor or master's
3. H-1B Work Visa - This type of Visa helps collegedegree are sponsored by their employer for an H-1B
educated professionals with special skills (like Doctors,Work Visa. This is the most important advantage
Engineers, Scientists) to enter United States, in order toattached with F-1 Students Visa.
make valuable contribution in American development.7. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa - As the name suggests,
However, there is one constraint, a maximum ofJ-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is for individuals participating
65,000 H-1B Visas can be issued in one year.in exchange visitor programs organized by Education
Professionals with H-1B Visa can stay in United Statesand Cultural Institutions or Business Houses. J-1
for a maximum of three years. However, it can beExchange Visitor Visa helps industrial trainees, students,
extended if required, but the maximum period of stayteachers, research assistants, scholars, and people on
cannot exceed more than six years. One advantagecultural missions who are participating in a program of
with H-1B Visa holders is that, they can apply forstudies, training, research, or a cultural enrichment
Permanent Immigrant Status (Green Card), if theirprogram designed for such individuals by the United
company is ready to sponsor.States Department of State, through its Bureau of
4. H-2B Work Visa - H-2B Visa is a different type ofEducational and Cultural Affairs.
work Visa which is issued to skilled and unskilledThere are several other Visa Types targeting specific
workers (for non-agricultural jobs). Every year aneeds of people. You will get detailed information
maximum of 66,000 H-2B Visas are issued. Thoseabout them in next edition of our Newsletter.