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U.S. Lincoln visa specimen

Visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the U.S. diplomatic missions unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries.

The same rules apply for travel to all U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as to Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands with additional waivers, while similar but separate rules apply to American Samoa.

Overview

Travel documents

The U.S. government requires all individuals entering or departing the United States by air, or entering the United States by sea from outside the Americas, to hold one of the following documents:[1]

For entry by land or sea from the Americas, individuals must present one of the documents acceptable for entry by air or one of the following:[1]

Nationals of Mexico may use a Border Crossing Card, which serves as a visa when presented with a passport.

Without a passport, the card on its own also allows entry by land or sea while remaining within 25 miles (40 km) from the Mexico–United States border (up to 75 miles in Arizona and 55 miles in New Mexico) for a stay of up to 30 days.[5][6]

Children born to a U.S. permanent resident mother during a temporary visit abroad do not need a passport or visa at the mother's first re-entry to the United States within two years after birth. Similarly, children born abroad to a parent with a U.S. immigrant visa after its issuance do not need a passport or visa if listed in the parent's passport with a birth certificate.[1]

Visas

While there are about 185 different types of U.S. visas,[7] there are two main categories:

A U.S. visa does not authorize entry into the United States or a stay in a particular status, but only serves as a preliminary permission to travel to the United States and to seek admission at a port of entry. The final admission to the United States is made at the port of entry by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. For those entering in a nonimmigrant visa status, the admission details are recorded by the CBP officer on a Form I-94 (or Form I-94W for nationals of the Visa Waiver Program countries for short visits), which serves as the official document authorizing the stay in the United States in a particular status and for a particular period of time.[8] In order to immigrate, one should either have an immigrant visa or have a dual intent visa, which is one that is compatible with making a concurrent application for nonimmigrant and immigrant status.

Entering the United States on an employment visa may be described as a three-step process in most cases.

First, the employer files an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requesting a particular type of category visa for a specific individual. If the employer's application is approved, it only authorizes the individual to apply for a visa; the approved application is not actually a visa.

The individual then applies for a visa and is usually interviewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the native country. If the embassy or consulate grants the visa, the individual is then allowed to travel to the United States. At the airport, border crossing or other point of entry, the individual speaks with an officer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to request admission, and if approved, the individual may then enter the United States.[7]

In addition to immigration sponsored by a U.S. family member or employer, about 55,000 immigrant visas are available each year to natives of certain countries under the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, also known as the green card lottery.

Visa policy map

  The United States and its territories
  Freely associated states (freedom of movement)
  Visa not required, ESTA not required (6 months)
  Visa Waiver Program - ESTA (90 days)
  Visa not required with a police certificate (6 months)
  Visa required to enter the United States
This map does not include visa waivers that apply only to certain U.S. territories.

Visa exemption

Citizens of freely associated states

Under Compacts of Free Association, citizens of the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau may enter, reside, study and work in the United States indefinitely without a visa. These benefits are granted to citizens from birth or independence, and to naturalized citizens who have resided in the respective country for at least five years, excluding those who acquired citizenship by investment.[9][10]

Nationals of neighboring jurisdictions

The United States grants visa-free entry to nationals of two neighboring jurisdictions under most circumstances:[5]

The United States also grants visa-free entry to nationals of some other neighboring jurisdictions under certain conditions:[5]

Visa-free entry is also granted to limited categories of nationals of another neighboring country:

Visa Waiver Program

Main article: Visa Waiver Program

As of 2024, 41 countries[a] have been selected by the U.S. government for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).[20][22]

Their nationals do not need a U.S. visa for short stays, but they are required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to arrival.[23]

Visitors may stay for up to 90 days in the United States, which also includes time spent in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or the islands in the Caribbean if the arrival was through the United States.[1]

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is not considered a visa,[40] but a prerequisite to traveling to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program.

ESTA has an application fee of 4 USD, and if approved, an additional fee of 17 USD is charged, for a total of 21 USD. Once obtained, the authorization is valid for up to two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first, and is valid for multiple entries into the United States.[c][b] Passengers are advised to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before departure.[41][25]

Travel by air or sea with ESTA must be made on a participating commercial carrier. The VWP does not apply at all if arriving by air or sea on an unapproved carrier (e.g. a private ship or plane), in which case a standard visa is required.[25] ESTA is also required for entry by land.[42]

As of 2024, those who have previously been in Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011, or in Cuba on or after January 12, 2021, or who are dual nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan or Syria, are not eligible to travel under the VWP and must obtain a standard visa.[20]

However, those who traveled to such countries as diplomats, military, journalists, humanitarian workers or legitimate businessmen may have this ineligibility waived.[43]

Visa waiver programs of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands

Although the visa policy of the United States also applies to the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, both territories have additional visa waiver programs for certain nationalities.

The Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program, first enacted in October 1988 and periodically amended, permits nationals of 12 countries to visit Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 45 days for tourism or business without the need to obtain a U.S. visa or ESTA.[5]

A parole policy also allows nationals of China visa-free access to the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days.[44]

Travelers with a visa or ESTA are admitted to the territories in accordance with the terms of the visa or ESTA.

Travelers using the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program or the parole are required to complete an I-736 form, hold a machine-readable passport and nonrefundable return ticket, and are not permitted to travel to other parts of the United States. Because of work visas and waivers specific to the Northern Mariana Islands, traveling between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands still requires a full immigration inspection, and all visitors departing Guam or Northern Mariana Islands are inspected regardless of final destination.[56]

The U.S. government plans to require an electronic authorization similar to ESTA for travelers under the Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program, and for nationals of China traveling without a visa to the Northern Mariana Islands, from November 29, 2024. This authorization would be valid for up to two years (one year for nationals of China), or until the traveler's passport expires (six months before the passport expires, for nationals of Brunei, China and Nauru), whichever comes first, and it would be valid for multiple entries during this period. This authorization would not require a fee.[55]

American Samoa

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American Samoa entry stamp

U.S. visa policy does not apply to the territory of American Samoa, as it has its own entry requirements and maintains control of its own borders. Hence, neither a U.S. visa nor an ESTA can be used to enter American Samoa. If required, an entry permit or an electronic authorization called "OK Board" must be obtained from the Department of Legal Affairs of American Samoa.[57]

To travel to American Samoa, U.S. nationals must present a valid U.S. passport, a valid American Samoan certificate of identity, or a certified birth certificate in combination with a valid identification card.[58]

Alternatively, they may apply online for an electronic authorization providing a copy of their birth certificate or expired travel document, a copy of their identification card (or of an accompanying adult's identification card if under age 18), itinerary, and a fee of 50 USD for verification of vital records (no fee if under age 18).[59]

In addition to their identification document or electronic authorization, U.S. nationals must also show proof of residence or employment in American Samoa or a ticket for future departure from the territory.[60]

However, after entering American Samoa, U.S. nationals may reside there indefinitely and cannot be deported.[61]

Nationals of countries in the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program may visit the territory for up to 30 days without an entry permit. However, if arriving by air, they must apply online for an electronic authorization called "OK Board", at least 3 business days before travel, providing a copy of their passport valid for at least 6 months after their planned departure from the territory, a ticket for such departure, proof of accommodation, and a fee of 40 USD.[62]

Nationals of Samoa may also apply for a similar electronic authorization to visit American Samoa for up to 7 days, for a fee of 10 USD. Up to 400 such authorizations are granted per month.[63]

Entry permit waivers of American Samoa

Other visitors need an entry permit. To apply, they must have a local sponsor, who must appear in person at the Immigration Office of the Department of Legal Affairs.

The application must be signed by the sponsor's saʻo (head chief), unless the sponsor provides a deed of private land, and by the sponsor's pulenuʻu (village mayor). Applicants must also provide a copy of their passport or identity document valid for at least 6 months after their planned departure from the territory, a ticket for such departure, clearances from the District Court of American Samoa and Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center, police and medical clearances from the country of origin (medical clearance not required for nationals of Samoa), and a fee of 40 USD (no fee if under age 5).

The application for an entry permit must be made at least 3 business days before travel, and the permit is valid for a stay of up to 30 days, but an extension may be requested for a fee of 50 USD.[68]

Business travelers may apply for a multiple-entry permit, for a fee of 50 USD per month, up to one year.[69] Nationals of Samoa traveling on business may also apply for an entry permit for a stay of up to 14 days, for a fee of 10 USD.[70]

Transit travelers of any nationality may apply for an electronic authorization free of charge, allowing a stay of up to 24 hours.[71]

Alaska

Residents of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in Russia who are members of the indigenous population do not need a visa to visit Alaska if they have relatives (blood relatives, members of the same tribe, native people who have similar language and cultural heritage) in Alaska. Entry points are in Gambell and Nome.

Individuals must be invited by a relative in Alaska, must notify local authorities at least ten days before traveling to Alaska, and must leave Alaska within 90 days.

The agreement establishing this policy was signed by Russia (then the Soviet Union) and the United States on September 23, 1989. The United States made it effective as of July 17, 2015.[72][73]

American Indians born in Canada

Members of certain indigenous peoples born in Canada may enter and remain in the United States indefinitely "for the purpose of employment, study, retirement, investing, and/or immigration" or any other reason by virtue of the Jay Treaty of 1794, as codified in Section 289 of the Immigration and Naturalization Act.[74]

In order to qualify, an individual must possess "at least 50 per centum blood of the American Indian Race".[74][75]

Tribal membership alone does not qualify an individual.[74] The individual bears the burden of proof in establishing eligibility, typically by way of presenting identification based on reliable tribal records, birth certificates, and other documents establishing the percentage of Indian blood.[76]

A Canadian Certificate of Indian Status is insufficient proof because it does not indicate the percentage of Indian blood.[76]

This provision does not extend to family members unless they qualify in their own right.[74][76][77]

However, qualifying American Indians residing in the United States are considered to be lawfully admitted for U.S. permanent residence and therefore may file a petition for their spouse and dependent children, subject to statutory numerical limitations and a potential backlog of applications.[74][78][79]

Summary of visa exemptions

Country or territory States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico U.S. Virgin Islands Guam Northern Mariana Islands American Samoa
Cruise Air
 Marshall Islands Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Micronesia Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Palau Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Canada Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Bermuda Yes Yes Yes Yes No No
 Australia ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Brunei[c] ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Japan ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 New Zealand ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Singapore ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 South Korea ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 Taiwan ESTA[k] ESTA[k] Yes[k][l] Yes[k][l] Yes OK Board
 United Kingdom[i] ESTA ESTA Yes Yes Yes OK Board
 EU[m][b] and EFTA ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 Andorra ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 Chile ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 Israel ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 Monaco ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 San Marino ESTA ESTA ESTA ESTA Yes OK Board
 Bahamas Police certificate No No No No No
 British Virgin Islands Police certificate Yes No No No No
 Cayman Islands Police certificate No No No No No
 Turks and Caicos Islands Police certificate No No No No No
 Hong Kong[g] No No Yes Yes No No
 Malaysia No No Yes Yes No No
 Nauru No No Yes Yes No No
 Papua New Guinea No No Yes Yes No No
 China No No No Yes No No
 Samoa No No No No OK Board OK Board

Restricted entry or visa issuance

Sanctions

The United States has suspended the issuance of certain types of visas for certain people from certain countries as sanctions for their lack of cooperation in accepting the return of their nationals deported from the United States.[80][81]

As of 2024, these sanctions apply to nationals of Eritrea[82] and to certain government officials and their family members of Cambodia,[83] China[84][85] (also under separate sanctions[86][87]), Laos,[88] Myanmar,[89] Pakistan[90] and Sierra Leone.[91]

The United States has also suspended the issuance of visas in Cuba and Venezuela due to the ordered departure of U.S. government personnel, but nationals of these countries may still apply for visas at U.S. embassies or consulates in other countries.[92][93]

Outlying islands

Visits to the United States Minor Outlying Islands – Baker Island,[94] Howland Island,[95] Jarvis Island,[96] Johnston Atoll,[97] Kingman Reef,[98] Midway Atoll,[99] Navassa Island,[100] Palmyra Atoll[101] and Wake Island[102] – are severely restricted. The islands are not accessible to the general public, and all visits require special permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or from The Nature Conservancy for Palmyra Atoll,[101] or from the U.S. Air Force for Johnston Atoll[97] and Wake Island.[103]

Qualification process

The typical process for issuing a United States visa, possibly including a Visas Mantis check

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every nonimmigrant visa applicant (except certain employment-related applicants, who are exempt) is an intending immigrant unless otherwise proven. Therefore, applicants for most nonimmigrant visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

All visit, business, transit, student, and exchange visitor visa applicants must pay an application fee of 185 USD[104] to the consular section at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to be interviewed by a consular officer who will determine if the applicant is qualified to receive a visa to travel to the United States (additionally, the officer may also ask the United States Department of State for a Security Advisory Opinion, which can take several weeks to resolve). The application fee is increased to 205 USD for most work visas and can be even higher for certain categories.[104]

If the applicant is rejected, the application fee is not refunded. If the application is approved, nationals of certain countries must also pay a visa issuance fee, based on reciprocity.[105] Amongst the items included in the qualification decision are financial independence, adequate employment, material assets and a lack of a criminal record in the applicant's native country.

Admission statistics

  United States
Number of non-immigrant admissions for tourist and business purposes into the United States in fiscal year 2017:
  Over 2 million   Over 1 million   Over 500 thousand   Over 250 thousand   Over 100 thousand   Over 15 thousand   Under 15 thousand

The highest number of non-immigrant admissions for tourists and for business purposes into the United States in fiscal year 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was from the following countries (listed over 700,000 admissions):[106][107][108][109]

Country FY 2017 FY 2016 FY 2015 FY 2014
 Mexico Decrease 18,101,904 Decrease 18,420,891 Increase 19,175,345 Increase 18,889,281
 Canada Increase 11,616,347 Decrease 11,366,670 Increase 11,671,122 Increase 11,289,743
 United Kingdom[110] Decrease 4,786,421 Increase 4,930,593 Increase 4,691,874 Increase 4,549,934
 Japan Decrease 3,697,844 Decrease 3,717,029 Decrease 3,750,667 Decrease 3,933,941
 China[111] Increase 2,630,300 Increase 2,587,968 Increase 2,309,654 Increase 2,001,302
 South Korea Increase 2,324,707 Increase 2,001,417 Increase 1,742,422 Increase 1,576,328
 Germany Increase 2,228,358 Decrease 2,190,832 Decrease 2,208,145 Increase 2,283,086
 Brazil Increase 2,011,385 Decrease 1,866,261 Increase 2,383,822 Increase 2,275,588
 France[112] Increase 1,923,414 Decrease 1,897,398 Decrease 1,915,725 Increase 1,966,335
 Australia[113] Increase 1,463,908 Increase 1,423,898 Increase 1,399,615 Increase 1,389,358
 Italy Increase 1,282,989 Increase 1,262,691 Decrease 1,229,115 Increase 1,282,485
 India Increase 1,264,598 Increase 1,206,225 Increase 1,175,153 Increase 1,111,738
 Argentina Increase 1,085,461 Increase 943,224 Increase 765,576 Increase 730,089
 Spain Increase 1,037,798 Increase 1,012,133 Decrease 953,969 Increase 955,737
 Colombia Increase 926,855 Decrease 885,763 Increase 928,424 Increase 924,916
 Netherlands[114] Increase 796,945 Increase 766,691 Decrease 749,826 Increase 766,936
Total (worldwide) Increase 70,056,257 Increase 69,128,433 Increase 69,025,896 Increase 67,519,113

Classes of visas

Nonimmigrant visas

A visa

Main article: A visa

A visas are issued to representatives of a foreign government traveling to the United States to engage in official activities for that government. A visas are granted to foreign government ambassadors, ministers, diplomats, as well as other foreign government officials or employees traveling on official business (A-1 visa). Certain foreign officials require an A visa regardless of the purpose of their trip.

The A visa is also granted to immediate family members of such foreign government officials, defined as "the principal applicant's spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are not members of some other household and who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien" (A-2 Visa) and which "may also include close relatives of the principal alien or spouse who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption who are not members of some other household; who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien; and who are recognized as dependents by the sending government (A-3 Visa).[118]

B visa

Main article: B visa

The most common non-immigrant visa is the multiple-purpose B-1/B-2 visa, also known as the "visa for temporary visitors for business or pleasure."

Visa applicants sometimes receive either a B-1 (temporary visitor for business) or a B-2 (temporary visitor for pleasure) visa, if their reason for travel is specific enough that the consular officer does not feel they qualify for combined B-1/B-2 status.[119]

Holders may also attend short non-credit courses. Mexican citizens are eligible for Border Crossing Cards.[120]

From November 29, 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who also hold 10-year B visas are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before traveling to the United States.

This requirement may be extended to other nationalities in the future.[121][122]

Effective January 24, 2020, B visas are not issued to individuals expected to give birth during their stay, unless they demonstrate that the primary purpose of their visit is not to obtain U.S. citizenship for the child.[123]

In addition, B visa applicants seeking medical treatment in the United States must demonstrate their arrangements for the medical treatment and sufficiently establish their ability to pay for it.[123]

Validity period
US B visa validity period per country:[105][124]
  10 years
  4–5 years
  2–3 years
  12–15 months
  3–6 months
  1 month–5 years (depending on issuance fee or visa subtype)
  United States
Adjusted visa refusal rate
US B visa refusal rate in fiscal year 2022:
  <3%
  3–5%
  5–10%
  10–20%
  20–30%
  30–40%
  40–50%
  >50%
  United States
  Visa-exempt countries

The Adjusted Refusal Rate is based on the refusal rate of B visa applications.

B visas are adjudicated based on applicant interviews; the interviews generally last between 60 and 90 seconds.[125] Due to time constraints, adjudicators profile applicants.[125]

Certain demographics, such as young adults who are single and unemployed, almost never receive visas, unless they articulate a compelling reason.[125] Adjudicators are evaluated on how fast they carry out interviews, not the quality of adjudication decisions.[126] The validity of B visa decisions is not evaluated.[126]

To qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, a country must have had a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate of less than 3% for the previous year or an average of no more than 2% over the past two fiscal years with neither year going above 2.5%.[127]

In addition, the country must provide visa-free access to United States citizens and has to be either an independent country or a dependency of a VWP country (which has precluded Hong Kong and Macau from participating in the program). (Until April 4, 2016, Argentina charged 160 USD to U.S. citizens to enter.)

The Adjusted Visa Refusal Rates for B visas were as follows:

Overstay rate

A number of visitors overstay the maximum period of allowed stay on their B-1/B-2 status after entered the U.S. on their B-1/B-2 visas.

The Department of Homeland Security publishes annual reports that list the number of violations by passengers who arrive via air and sea. The table below excludes statistics on persons who left the United States later than their allowed stay or legalized their status and shows only suspected overstays who remained in the country.

The top 20 nationalities by the number of suspected in-country B-1/B-2 overstays in 2016 and 2017 were:[136][137]

The top 10 nationalities by in-country B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate are:[136][137]

Use for other countries

U.S. tourist visas that are valid for further travel are accepted as substitute visas for national visas in the following territories:

C visa

The C-1 visa is a transit visa issued to individuals who are traveling in "immediate and continuous transit through the United States en-route to another country". The only reason to enter the United States must be for transit purposes.

A subtype C-2 visa is issued to diplomats transiting to and from the Headquarters of the United Nations and is limited to the vicinity of New York City. A subtype C-3 visa is issued to diplomats and their dependents transiting to and from their posted country.[146]

D visa

D visa is issued to crew members of sea-vessels and international airlines in the United States. This includes commercial airline pilots and flight attendants, captain, engineer, or deckhand of a sea vessel, service staff on a cruise ship and trainees on board a training vessel. Usually a combination of a C-1 visa and D visa is required.[147]

E visa

Treaty Trader (E-1 visa) and Treaty Investor (E-2 visa) visas are issued to citizens of countries that have signed treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States.[148]

They are issued to individuals working in businesses engaged in substantial international trade or to investors (and their employees) who have made a 'substantial investment' in a business in the United States.[149]

The variant visa issued only to citizens of Australia is the E-3 visa (E-3D visa is issued to spouse or child of E-3 visa holder and E-3R to a returning E-3 holder).[150]

F visa

Main article: F visa

These visas are issued for foreign students enrolled at accredited US institutions.

F-1 visas are for full-time students, F2 visas are for spouses and children of F-1 visa holders and F-3 visas are for "border commuters" who reside in their country of origin while attending school in the United States.[151] They are managed through SEVIS.[152]

G visa

Main article: G visa

G visas are issued to diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States. The international organization must be officially designated as such.[153]

The G-1 visa is issued to permanent mission members; the G-2 visa is issued to representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization; the G-3 visa is issued to persons who represent a non-recognized government; the G-4 visa is for those who are taking up an appointment; and the G-5 visa is issued to personal employees or domestic workers of G1–G4 visa holders.[154] G1–G4 visas are also issued to immediate family members of the principal visa holder, if they meet certain criteria.[154]

NATO visa

Officials who work for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization require a NATO visa.

The NATO-1 visa is issued to permanent representatives of NATO and their staff members, NATO-2 visa is issued to a representative of member state to NATO or its subsidiary bodies, advisor or technical expert of the NATO delegation visiting the United States, a member of the NATO military forces component or a staff member of the NATO representative, NATO-3 visa is issued to official clerical staff accompanying the representative of a NATO member state, NATO-4 visa is issued to foreign national recognized as a NATO official, NATO-5 visa is issued to a foreign national recognized as a NATO expert and NATO-6 visa is issued to a member of the civilian component of the NATO. All NATO visas are issued to immediate family members as well. NATO-7 visas are issued to personal employees or domestic workers of a NATO-1 – NATO-6 visa holders.[154]

H visa

H visas are issued to temporary workers in the United States.

Specialty occupations, DOD Cooperative Research and Development Project Workers, and fashion models

The discontinued H-1A and H-1C visas existed during periods when the US experienced a shortage of nurses from 1989. The H-1A classification was created by the Nursing Relief Act of 1989 and ended in 1995.

The H-1C visa was created by the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Area Act of 1999 and expired in 2005. Currently nurses must apply for H-1B visas.[155]

Main article: H-1B visa

The H-1B classification is for professional-level jobs that require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific academic field. In addition, the employee must have the degree or the equivalence of such a degree through education and experience.

There is a required wage, which is at least equal to the wage paid by the employer to similarly qualified workers or a prevailing wage for such positions in the geographic regions where the jobs are located.

This visa also covers fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.[156][157] The H-1B1 visa is the variant issued to citizens of Singapore and Chile.

Temporary agricultural workers

Main article: H-2A visa

The H-2A visa allows a foreign national entry into the US for temporary or seasonal agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available US workers).[158]

Temporary nonagricultural workers

Main article: H-2B visa

The H-2B visa allows a foreign national entry into the US for temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available US workers).[159]

Nonimmigrant trainee or special education exchange Visitor

Main article: H-3 visa

The H-3 visa is available to those foreign nationals looking to "receive training in any field of endeavor, other than graduate medical education or training, that is not available in the foreign national's home country" or " participate in a special education exchange visitor training program that provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities".[160]

Family members

Main article: H-4 visa

H-4 visa is issued to immediate family members of H visa holders. In some cases, they are eligible for employment.[161]

I visa

Main article: I-1 visa

The I-1 visa is issued to representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film, and print industries travelling to temporarily work in the United States in the profession.[162]

J visa

Main article: J-1 visa

See also: J-2 visa

The J-1 visa is issued to participants of work-and study-based exchange visitor programs.[163]

The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, officially known as the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 87–256, 75 Stat. 527). The purpose of the act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the department designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Spouses and dependents of J-1 exchange visitors are issued a J-2 visa.[164]

Exchange visa categories are:

Exchange Visitor Pilot Programs exist for citizens of Australia,[179] Ireland,[180] New Zealand[181] and South Korea.[182]

K visa

Main article: K-1 visa

A K-1 visa is a visa issued to the fiancé or fiancée of a United States citizen to enter the United States. A K-1 visa requires a foreigner to marry his or her U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder).[183]

A K-2 visa is issued to unmarried children under the age of 21. Foreign same-sex partners of United States citizens are currently recognized by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and accordingly can be sponsored for K-1 visas and for permanent resident status.[184]

K-3/K-4 visas are issued to foreign spouses and children of US citizens.[185]

L visa

Main article: L-1 visa

See also: L-2 visa

The L-1 classification is for international transferees who have worked for a related organization abroad for at least one continuous year in the past three years and who will be coming to the United States to work in an executive or managerial (L-1A) or specialized knowledge capacity (L-1B).[186][187][188] The L-2 visa is issued to dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders.

M visa

Main article: M-1 visa

The M-1 visa is a type of student visa reserved for vocational and technical schools.

Students in M-1 status may not work on or off campus while studying, and they may not change their status to F-1. The M-2 visa permits the spouse and minor children of an M-1 vocational student to accompany him or her to the United States.[151]

O visa

Main article: O visa

The O visa is a classification of non-immigrant temporary worker visa granted to an alien "who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (O-1A visa), or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements," (O-1B visa) and to certain assistants (O-2 visa) and immediate family members of such aliens (O-3 visa).[189]

See also: Alien of extraordinary ability

P visa

Main article: P visa

P visas are issued to individuals or team athletes, or member of an entertainment group including persons providing essential support services (P-1 visa), artists or entertainers (individual or group) under a reciprocal exchange program (P-2 visa) and artists or entertainers (individual or group) visiting to perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique (P-3 Visa).[190]

P-4 visas are issued to spouses, or children under the age of 21, of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien and who is accompanying, or following to join.

Q visa

The Q visa is issued to participants in an international cultural exchange program.[190]

R visa

Main article: R visa

The R-1 visa is issued to temporary religious workers. They must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least 2 years.[191] R-2 visa is issued to dependent family members.[192]

S visa

S visas are nonimmigrant visas issued to individuals who have assisted law enforcement as a witness or informant. There is a limit of 200 S visas a year.[193]

A law enforcement agency can then submit an application for resident alien status, i.e. a green card on behalf of the witness or informant once the individual has completed the terms and conditions of his or her S visa.[194]

TN visa

Main article: TN status

NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico whose profession is on the NAFTA list[195] and who must hold a bachelor's degree to work in the United States on a prearranged job. Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa to work under the TN status (unless they live outside Canada with non-Canadian family members) while Mexican citizens require a TN visa.

Spouse and dependent children of a TN professional can be admitted into the United States in the TD status.[196]

T and U visas

The T-1 visa is issued to victims of severe forms of human trafficking.

Holders may adjust their status to permanent resident status.[197]

Subtypes of this visa are T-2 (issued to spouses of T-1), T-3 (issued to children of T-1), T-4 (issued to parents of T-1 under the age of 21), and T-5 (issued to unmarried siblings under the age of 18 of T-1 who is under 21).

The U-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.[198]

Subtypes of this visa are U-2 issued to spouses of U-1, U-3 issued to children of U-1, U-4 issued to parents of U-1 under the age of 21 and U-5 issued to unmarried siblings under the age of 18 of U-1 who is under 21.

V visa

Main article: V visa

The V visa is a temporary visa available to spouses and minor children (unmarried, under 21) of U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPR, also known as green card holders).

It allows permanent residents to achieve family unity with their spouses and children while the immigration process takes its course. It was created by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act of 2000.[199]

The Act is to relieve those who applied for immigrant visas on or before December 21, 2000. Practically, the V visa is currently not available to spouses and minor children of LPRs who have applied after December 21, 2000.[200]

List of US visa types

All US visa types and subtypes are listed below:[201][202]

Immigrant visas

See also: Travel visa § Immigrant visas

The Trump administration issued new rules on August 12, 2019, that will reject applicants for temporary or permanent visas for failing to meet income standards or for receiving public assistance such as welfare, food stamps, public housing or Medicaid.[203]

Critics[who?] feared the new law, which was set to go into effect in October 2019, could negatively impact the lives of children who are U.S. citizens.[204]

Nonimmigrant visas

[206][207][208]

Dual-intent visas

The concept of the dual intent visa is to grant legal status to certain types of visa applicants when they are in the process of applying for a visa with the intent to obtain a permanent residency/green card.

There are a certain number of U.S. visa categories that grant permission for dual intent, or to get a temporary visa status while having an intention to get a green card and stay permanently in the United States of America.[citation needed]

Most visas are named after the paragraph of the Code of Federal Regulations that established the visa.[209]

Digital Visa Authorization (DVA)

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs is currently developing and trialling an electronic visa system, envisioned to eventually replace traditional sticker visas on passports. In 2023, this was trialled with K-1 visas issued at the Embassy of the United States, Dublin, Ireland.[210]

As this will only apply to individuals requiring a visa, this is different to the established ESTA system for visa-waived nationals.

Visa denial

A mock-up of the letter issued by the United States Consulate-general in Shanghai to inform nonimmigrant visa denials under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act defined several classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas.

Grounds for denial may include, but are not limited to:

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (also cited as 8 United States Code § 1184(b))[211] states that most aliens must be presumed to be intending to remain in the U.S., until and unless they are able to show that they are entitled to non-immigrant status. This means there are two sides to a 214(b) denial. Denials occur when applicants do not convince the consular officer of their intent to stay in the U.S. temporarily, or were qualified for the visa.

An example of a denial based upon the first ground would be an applicant for an F-1 student visa who the consular officer felt was secretly intending to remain in the U.S. permanently.

An example of a denial based upon the second ground would be an H-1B applicant who couldn't prove he possessed the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree in a specialty field—such an equivalency being a requirement for obtaining an H-1B visa.

In order to thereafter obtain a visa applicants are recommended to objectively evaluate their situation, see in what way they fell short of the visa requirements, and then reapply.[212]

In rare cases, Section 212(d)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows for the temporary entry of certain aliens who would otherwise be prohibited from entering the United States.

The person applies for a Hranka waiver and pays the filing fee. When deciding whether to approve the waiver, the Board of Immigration Appeals considers whether there would be harm to society if the applicant were admitted to the United States, the seriousness of the applicant's prior violations, and the nature of the applicant's reasons for wishing to enter the United States.

If approved for a Hranka waiver, the applicant would need to have this documentation when requesting entry to the United States.[213]

Exceptions

There are cases when a U.S. visa has been granted to aliens who were technically ineligible.

Japanese mafia (yakuza) leader Tadamasa Goto and three others were issued visas for travel between 2000 and 2004 to undergo liver transplant surgery at UCLA Medical Center.[214]

The FBI had aided the men in the visa application process hoping that they would provide information regarding yakuza activities in the U.S.[214]

In 2005, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) was denied a diplomatic visa to the United States. The B-1/B-2 visa that had previously been granted to him was also revoked, under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act which makes any foreign government official who was responsible or "directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for the visa.

The violations of religious freedom in question were the 2002 Gujarat riots.[215]

Modi is the only person ever denied a visa to the U.S. under this provision.[216]

In 2014, after Modi's BJP political party won the 2014 Indian general election, U.S. President Barack Obama ended the visa issue by calling Modi to congratulate him on his victory, and invited him to the White House. On June 8, 2016, Modi addressed a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.[217]

See also

Explanatory notes

  1. ^ According to the Taiwan Relations Act, U.S. laws treat Taiwan as a country despite the absence of diplomatic recognition.[20][21]
  2. ^ a b c ESTA is not available for nationals of Hungary born outside Hungary. For nationals of Hungary applying from August 1, 2023, ESTA is valid for one year and for a single entry to the United States.[24][25]
  3. ^ a b c For nationals of Brunei applying from July 6, 2023, ESTA is valid for 1 year.[25]
  4. ^ Only holders of passports with a national identification number.
  5. ^ Only British citizens are eligible to participate in the VWP.[26]
  6. ^ Up to 14 days, for the Northern Mariana Islands only, under a separate parole policy.[44] For holders of a Chinese passport, not including Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region passports.[1]
  7. ^ a b Holders of a British National (Overseas) passport or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, in conjunction with a Hong Kong identity card.
  8. ^ Must travel on a nonstop flight from Taiwan and hold a valid Taiwanese passport and national identification card.
  9. ^ a b c For holders of British citizen passports only.
  10. ^ For stays of up to 7 days. Up to 400 authorizations per month.
  11. ^ a b c d Only holders of passports containing a national identification number.
  12. ^ a b Must also hold a national identification card or ESTA.
  13. ^ Except Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am May also enter without a visa, with ESTA.
  15. ^ May also enter without a visa if traveling directly from the country through airport preclearance and holding a police certificate showing no criminal record.
  16. ^ a b c d May also enter without a visa.
  17. ^ Electronic Visa Update System registration is required. For members of the Chinese Communist Party and their spouses and children under age 21, 1 entry and validity of 1 month.
  18. ^ a b c For B-1/B-2 only.
  19. ^ a b c d e For B-1 only.
  20. ^ a b c For B-2 only.
  21. ^ For holders of diplomatic or official passports, visa validity is 1 year.
  22. ^ For B-1/B-2 for a religious event, 1 entry and validity of 3 months. For B-1/B-2 for volunteer work, multiple entries and validity of 5 years.
  23. ^ For holders of a travel permit instead of a passport, visa validity is 5 years.
  24. ^ For B-1 or B-2.
  25. ^ a b For B-2 or B-1/B-2.
  26. ^ For British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) of the Pitcairn Islands, 2 entries and validity of 3 months. BOTCs of Bermuda may also enter without a visa. BOTCs of the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands and Turks and Caicos Islands may also enter without a visa if traveling directly from the territory and holding a police certificate showing no criminal record. British citizens may also enter without a visa, with ESTA.
  27. ^ "Non-nationality based issuances" includes individuals presenting travel documents issued by a competent authority other than their country of nationality, including, for example, aliens traveling on a Laissez-Passer issued by the United Nations and refugees residing in another country.
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x Persons with H-1B visas, H-4 visas (as immediate family members of H-1B visa holders), K visas, L visas, and V visas are permitted to have dual intent under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Federal regulations also appear to recognize dual intent O visas, P visas, and E visas.

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