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Visa policy of the United States

Policy on permits required to enter the United States and its unincorporated territories From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Visa policy of the United States
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Aliens entering the United States must obtain a visa from one of the U.S. diplomatic missions. Visitors may be exempt if they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt or Visa Waiver Program countries.

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Lincoln visa specimen
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Bridge visa specimen

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.

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Travel documents

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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]

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. Children born abroad to a parent with a U.S. immigrant visa after its issuance do not need a visa if holding a passport and a birth certificate.[1]

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Visas

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While there are about 185 different types of U.S. visas,[6] there are two main categories:

  • Nonimmigrant visa, for temporary stays such as for tourism, business, family visits, study, work or transit;
  • Immigrant visa: for permanent residence in the United States. At the port of entry, upon endorsement with an I-551 admission stamp, the visa serves as evidence of permanent residence for one year, and the visa holder is processed for a green card. A child with an IR-3 or IH-3 visa automatically becomes a U.S. citizen upon admission and is processed for a certificate of citizenship (N-560).

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.[7] 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.[6]

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.

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Visa exemption

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Visa policy map of the United States
  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
  Immigrant, visitor, student and exchange visa issuance suspended
  Visa issuance suspended (unless special circumstances)
  Admission refused
This map does not include visa waivers that apply only to certain U.S. territories.
More information Country or territory, U.S. Virgin Islands ...

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.[8][9]

Nationals of neighboring jurisdictions

The United States grants visa-free entry to nationals of two neighboring jurisdictions under most circumstances:[3]

  • Canada – Citizens of Canada do not need a visa to visit the United States under most circumstances.[11] In addition, under the USMCA (and previously the NAFTA), they may obtain authorization to work under a simplified procedure.
  • Bermuda – British Overseas Territories citizens of Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the United States under most circumstances for up to 180 days.[11] They may also enter to study there without a visa.[12] To qualify for the visa exemption, they must present a British passport with "Government of Bermuda" on the cover, with the nationality listed as "British Overseas Territories Citizen" or "British Dependent Territories Citizen", and containing an endorsement stamp of "Holder is registered as a Bermudian", "Holder possesses Bermudian status" or "Holder is deemed to possess Bermudian status".[12]

The United States also grants visa-free entry to nationals of some other neighboring jurisdictions under certain conditions:[3]

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

  • Mexico – Some nationals of Mexico do not need a visa to travel to the United States: government officials not permanently assigned to the United States and their accompanying family members, holding diplomatic or official passports, for stays of up to 6 months; members of the Kickapoo tribes of Texas or Oklahoma, holding Form I-872, American Indian Card; and crew members of Mexican airlines operating in the United States.[3] Other nationals of Mexico may travel to the United States with a Border Crossing Card, which functions as a visa and has similar requirements.[18] Under the USMCA (and earlier NAFTA), they may also obtain authorization to work under a simplified procedure.

Visa Waiver Program

Main article: Visa Waiver Program

As of 2025, 42 countries[l] have been selected by the U.S. government for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).[33][35] 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.[36] 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]

Program countries:

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is not considered a visa,[47] 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.[a][h] Passengers are advised to apply for ESTA at least 72 hours before departure.[48][38]

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.[38] ESTA is also required for entry by land.[49]

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.[33] However, those who traveled to such countries for diplomatic, military, humanitarian, reporting or legitimate business purposes may have this ineligibility waived.[50]

Visa waiver program 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 an additional visa waiver program 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, and nationals of China to visit the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days, for tourism or business, without the need to obtain a U.S. visa.[3]

Program countries:

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 are required to obtain a Guam–CNMI Electronic Travel Authorization (G-CNMI ETA), similar to ESTA. This authorization is 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 is valid for multiple entries during this period. This authorization does not require a fee.[62][63][64]

Travelers using this program must also 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.[65]

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.[66]

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.[67] 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, itinerary, and a fee of 50 USD for verification of vital records.[68]

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.[69] However, after entering American Samoa, U.S. nationals may reside there indefinitely and cannot be deported.[70]

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.[71]

Nationals of Samoa may also apply for a similar electronic authorization to visit American Samoa for up to 10 days, for a fee of 10 USD. Up to 400 such authorizations are granted per month.[72]

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.[78]

Business travelers may apply for a multiple-entry permit, for a fee of 50 USD per month, up to one year.[79] 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.[80]

Transit travelers of any nationality may apply for an electronic authorization free of charge, allowing a stay of up to 24 hours.[81]

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.[82][83]

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.[84]

In order to qualify, an individual must possess "at least 50 per centum blood of the American Indian Race".[84][85] Tribal membership alone does not qualify an individual.[84] 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 indigenous ancestry.[86] A Canadian Certificate of Indian Status is insufficient proof because it does not indicate the percentage of indigenous ancestry.[86]

This provision does not extend to family members unless they qualify in their own right.[84][86][87] 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.[84][88][89]

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Restricted entry or visa issuance

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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.[90][91] As of 2025, these sanctions apply to visitor (B) visas of certain officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cambodia and their family members,[92] and to all visas of all nationals of South Sudan.[93]

The United States has also prohibited visas for certain people as sanctions for many other reasons, such as government officials allegedly violating human rights or undermining democracy.[94]

Security concerns

On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation suspending the issuance of visas for nationals of several countries, effective June 9, 2025, due to insufficient sharing of information for their security screening.[95]

With limited exceptions, the proclamation suspends the issuance of new visas for nationals of the following countries:[95]

With limited exceptions, the proclamation suspends the issuance of new immigrant, visitor (B), student (F, M) and exchange (J) visas for nationals of the following countries:[95]

Exceptions include people already in the United States or holding valid U.S. visas on the effective date of the proclamation; U.S. permanent residents; dual nationals of a country not included in the proclamation; non-immigrant visas for government officials and their family members (A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G, NATO); athletes, their supporting staff and family members traveling for major sporting events; immigrant visas for spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens; special immigrant visas for Afghans who worked for the U.S. government; immigrant visas for persecuted minorities in Iran; witnesses in criminal proceedings; and national interest cases.[95]

Outlying islands

Visits to the United States Minor Outlying Islands – Baker Island,[96] Howland Island,[97] Jarvis Island,[98] Johnston Atoll,[99] Kingman Reef,[100] Midway Atoll,[101] Navassa Island,[102] Palmyra Atoll[103] and Wake Island[104] – 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,[103] or from the U.S. Air Force for Johnston Atoll[99] and Wake Island.[105]

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Qualification process

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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:

  • The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for a specific, intended purpose;
  • They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
  • They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will ensure their return at the end of their stay.

All visit, business, transit, student, and exchange visitor visa applicants must pay an application fee of 185 USD[106] 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.[106]

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.[107] 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.

Social media posts

In April 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the review of social media accounts of visa applicants who had visited the Gaza Strip since 2007, to investigate their potential security risks. The Department of State also revoked the visas of some students who had criticized Israel's actions in Gaza.[108]

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Admission statistics

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  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):

More information Country, FY 2017 ...
More information Country, FY 2017 ...
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More information Country, FY 2018 ...
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Classes of visas

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All U.S. visa types and subtypes are listed below:[116][117]

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.[118]

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.[119]

More information Symbol, Description ...

Nonimmigrant visas

[120][121][122]

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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).[124]

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.[125]

Holders of B visas may also attend short non-credit courses. Nationals of Mexico are eligible for Border Crossing Cards.[126]

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.[127][128]

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. 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.[129]

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.[130]

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.[131]

There are two types of D visa: D-1 visa for people departing on the same vessel and D-2 visa for people departing on a different vessel.

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.[132]

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.[133]

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).[134]

F visa

Main article: F visa

These visas are issued for foreign students enrolled at accredited U.S. 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.[135] They are managed through SEVIS.[136]

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.[137]

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.[138] G1–G4 visas are also issued to immediate family members of the principal visa holder, if they meet certain criteria.[138]

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.[138]

H visa

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

Discontinued visa types

The discontinued H-1A and H-1C visas existed during periods when the United States 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.[139]

H-1B visas
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.[140][141] 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 United States for temporary or seasonal agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available U.S. workers).[142]

Temporary nonagricultural workers
Main article: H-2B visa

The H-2B visa allows a foreign national entry into the United States for temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available U.S. workers).[143]

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".[144]

Family members
Main article: H-4 visa

H-4 visas are issued to immediate family members of H visa holders. In some cases, they are eligible for employment.[145]

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.[146]

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.[147]

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. 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.[148]

Exchange visa categories are:

Exchange Visitor Pilot Programs exist for citizens of Australia,[163] Ireland,[164] New Zealand[165] and South Korea.[166]

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).[167]

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.[168]

K-3/K-4 visas are issued to foreign spouses and children of U.S. citizens.[169]

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).[170][171][172] 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.[135]

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).[173]

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).[174]

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.[174]

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.[175] R-2 visa is issued to dependent family members.[176]

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.[177]

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.[178]

TN visa

Main article: TN status

NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico whose profession is on the NAFTA list[179] 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.[180]

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.[181]

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.[182]

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 was 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 allowed 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.[183]

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.[184]

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. Generally, nonimmigrant visas require the applicant to show they plan to return to their home country after their stay.

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]

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Most visas are named after the paragraph of the Code of Federal Regulations that established the visa.[186]

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Digital Visa Authorization (DVA)

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs began 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.[187]

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

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Visa denial

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Thumb
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:

  • Risk of visa overstay
  • Financial insecurity
  • Having low or middle class income
  • Having an informal job
  • Unemployment
  • Not having children and/or being single
  • Relatives living in the United States
  • Political, economic or social instability in the country of origin
  • Incomplete education
  • Health grounds
  • Criminal history
  • Security fears
  • Public charge (charge means burden in this context)
  • Illegal entrants or immigration violators
  • Failure to produce requested documents
  • Ineligible for citizenship
  • Previously removed from the U.S.
  • The spouse of a U.S. Citizen is almost always denied a visitor's (B1/B2) visa on the grounds that the spouse might want to stay in the United States.

Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (also cited as 8 United States Code § 1184(b))[188] 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.[189]

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.[190]

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Exceptions

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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.[191] The FBI had aided the men in the visa application process hoping that they would provide information regarding yakuza activities in the U.S.[191]

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 being the 2002 Gujarat riots).[192] Modi is the only person ever denied a visa to the U.S. under this provision.[193] 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.[194]

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See also

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Explanatory notes

  1. For nationals of Brunei applying from July 6, 2023, ESTA is valid for 1 year.[38]
  2. Only holders of passports containing a national identification number.
  3. Must also hold a national identification card.
  4. Only British citizens are eligible to participate in the VWP.[46]
  5. Holders of a British citizen passport, or a British National (Overseas) passport with a Hong Kong identity card.
  6. British citizens only.
  7. Except Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania.
  8. 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.[37][38]
  9. Only holders of biometric passports are eligible for ESTA. German child passports, which could be requested for children under age 12 as an alternative to a standard German passport before 2024, are not biometric and thus are not eligible for ESTA.[39] The last passports of this kind were set to expire at the end of 2026.[40]
  10. Only holders of biometric passports issued with full validity, which can only be requested in person in Israel, are eligible for ESTA.[41][42] Passports requested at Israeli diplomatic missions abroad, which are not biometric, and those requested online or for recent immigrants in Israel, which are issued with reduced validity, are not eligible for ESTA.[43][44][45]
  11. Holders of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport with a Hong Kong identity card.
  12. According to the Taiwan Relations Act, U.S. laws treat Taiwan as a country despite the absence of diplomatic recognition.[33][34]
  13. Only holders of passports with a national identification number.
  14. Only for travel to the Northern Mariana Islands for up to 14 days. For holders of a Chinese passport, not including Hong Kong or Macau Special Administrative Region passports.[1]
  15. Must travel on a nonstop flight from Taiwan and hold a valid Taiwanese passport and national identification card.
  16. For stays of up to 10 days. Up to 400 authorizations per month.
  17. Includes Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories.
  18. Includes Hong Kong and Macau.
  19. Includes Overseas France.
  20. Includes external territories of Australia.
  21. Includes the Dutch Caribbean.
  22. 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.

References

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