Nonimmigrant Visas

General Information

Welcome to the Visa section!

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa one must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of the travel.

There are two categories of U.S. Visas:

• Nonimmigrant Visas
• Immigrant Visas

A nonimmigrant visa is most frequently a tourist, business, student, or specialty worker visa that will permit the applicant to stay for a particular period of time in the United States to accomplish a specific purpose. Non-immigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis - for tourism, business, temporary/specialty work, study, or medical treatment.

An immigrant visa is for a person who intends to live permanently in the U.S. 

A visa does not guarantee entry to the U.S.  A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer has reviewed your application, and that the officer has determined you are eligible to apply for entry to the country for a specific purpose.

Do you have additional questions about visas?
Go to the Visas FAQ at travel.state.gov