Types of US Visas
U.S. visas are typically categorized into two broad types: immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas.
1. Non-Immigrant Visas
These are for temporary stays in the U.S., for purposes such as tourism, business, work, study, or medical treatment. Some common non-immigrant visas include:
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- B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas: For tourists (B-2) and business travelers (B-1).
- F-1 Visa: For students attending academic institutions.
- M-1 Visa: For students attending vocational or non-academic institutions.
- J-1 Visa: For exchange visitors participating in work-and-study-based exchange programs.
- H-1B Visa: For workers in specialty occupations (professionals with a higher education degree).
- H-2A Visa: For temporary agricultural workers.
- H-2B Visa: For temporary non-agricultural workers.
- L-1 Visa: For intra-company transferees.
- O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- P-1 Visa: For internationally recognized athletes, artists, or entertainers.
- TN Visa: For professionals from Canada and Mexico under NAFTA.
- E-2 Visa: For treaty investors and traders.
- K-1 Visa: For fiancés/fiancées of U.S. citizens.
2. Immigrant Visas
These allow the visa holder to live and work permanently in the U.S., leading to a green card. Common immigrant visas include:
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- Family-Sponsored Immigrant Visas: For family members of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (e.g., IR visas for immediate relatives).
- Employment-Based Immigrant Visas: Based on a job offer or extraordinary skills (e.g., EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 categories).
- Diversity Visa: For individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the U.S. (green card lottery).
- Investor Visa (EB-5): For individuals investing a substantial amount in a U.S. business that creates jobs.
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Spousal visas allow foreign spouses of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to enter and reside in the U.S. There are different types of spousal visas depending on the relationship and status of the sponsoring spouse:
1. Immigrant Spousal Visas
These visas are for spouses of U.S. citizens or permanent residents who intend to live in the U.S. permanently.
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IR1 (Immediate Relative Spouse Visa): For spouses of U.S. citizens. The visa leads to permanent residency (a green card), and there’s no numerical limit on how many IR1 visas can be issued each year. If the marriage has lasted over two years, the spouse will receive a 10-year green card upon entry.
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CR1 (Conditional Resident Spouse Visa): For spouses of U.S. citizens if the marriage is less than two years old. The spouse receives a conditional green card valid for two years. After two years, the couple must file a joint petition (Form I-751) to remove the conditions and obtain a permanent green card.
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F2A Visa (Family Second Preference): For spouses of U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders). Unlike the IR1/CR1 visas, this category is subject to annual limits, so applicants may face waiting periods before a visa becomes available.
2. Non-Immigrant Spousal Visas
These visas are for spouses of U.S. citizens who intend to enter the U.S. temporarily but plan to adjust their status to permanent residency after arrival.
- K-3 Visa (Spouse of U.S. Citizen): This visa allows the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. while their immigrant visa (IR1 or CR1) is being processed. After arriving in the U.S., the spouse can apply for adjustment of status to become a permanent resident. This visa is rarely used today because of the efficiency of processing direct spousal immigrant visas.
3. Fiancé(e) Visa
Though not strictly a spousal visa, it’s related:
- K-1 Visa (Fiancé(e) Visa): This is for a foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. for the purpose of marriage. The couple must marry within 90 days of entry, and after the marriage, the foreign spouse can apply for a green card through adjustment of status.
Each of these visa types has its own specific eligibility criteria, and the processing times and procedures vary depending on the visa category.
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Each visa type has specific requirements and application processes based on the applicant’s purpose of travel or immigration intent.
