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Literally a visa is a document that the U.S. Department of State prepares which gives someone a right to a reach a United States port of entry or border crossing to seek entry into the U.S. Having a visa doesn’t guarantee entry when presented as the United States Custom and Border Protection has the final say, but having a visa greatly increases your chances of gaining entry.
Typically a visa is a stamp in your passport. If you are ever directed to visit a U.S. consulate to get your visa, you will likely get this stamp or an equivalent that will let you enter the U.S.
What are the two kinds of visas?
Immigrant Visa
If you receive and immigrant visa you are eligible to become a permanent resident immediately after entering the United States. After receiving permanent residency you will receive a green card and you will be allowed to stay in the country for the rest of your life, unless you commit a deportable offense.
Types of Immigrant Visas
- Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored
- Spouse of a U.S. Citizen
- Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition
- Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.
- Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens
- Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens
- Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents
- Employer Sponsored – Employment
- Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
- Priority workers [E1]
- Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability [E2]
- Professionals and Other Workers [E3]
- Certain Special Immigrants: [E4]
- Religious Workers
- Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters
- Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government
- Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government
- Employment Creation/Investors [E5]
- Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
Nonimmigrant Visa
If you receive a nonimmigrant visa you can only stay in the United States for a limited amount of time. These visas are also known as temporary visas. Customs and Border Protection will issue you a I-94 with an expiration date. The date will be determined by the type of visa you hold.
Types of Nonimmigrant Visas
- Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only)
- Au pair (exchange visitor)
- Australian professional specialty
- Border Crossing Card: Mexico
- Business visitor
- CNMI-only transitional worker
- Crewmember
- Diplomat or foreign government official
- Domestic employee or nanny – must be accompanying a foreign national employer
- Employee of a designated international organization or NATO
- Exchange visitor
- Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States
- Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics
- Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile, Singapore
- International cultural exchange visitor
- Intra-company transferee
- Medical treatment, visitor for
- Media, journalist
- NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada
- Performing athlete, artist, entertainer
- Physician
- Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor)
- Religious worker
- Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge
- Student: academic, vocational
- Temporary agricultural worker
- Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature.
- Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor
- Training in a program not primarily for employment
- Treaty trader/treaty investor
- Transiting the United States
- Victim of Criminal Activity
- Victim of Human Trafficking
- Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident
- Renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO Visas
How do I read my visa?