Non-Immigrant Visas
(Temporary Resident or Worker Visas)
This article will help you obtain a general overview of
different non-immigrant visa classifications
Definition of Non-Immigrant Visa:
Non-immigrant visas are issued to the citizens of other countries coming to the
United States
temporarily. To be precise, aliens traveling to the United States
for a temporary intention are categorized under U.S. law as non-immigrants (or
temporary visitors). The law requires that these people provide confirmation
that they don’t plan to immigrate to the United States.
A non-immigrant visa permits an alien to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry (e.g.
airport) and request consent of the Department of Homeland Security immigration
inspector to enter the United States. A nonimmigrant visa holder’s stay in USA must be for a limited period of time and restricted to the activity or
reason for which his or her visa was issued. As these visas are temporary, the
applicants must show:
- The financial resource of support while in the United States
- Intent to return to the home country
There are several non-immigrant visa categories available. The type of visa
required is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your
journey. For example, there are special visas for fiances of U.S. citizens,
diplomatic employees, business people, tourists, exchange visitors, AU pairs,
treaty traders/investors, registered nurses, vocational students, religious
workers, musicians, athletes, performers, and many more.
Place of Application for Nonimmigrant Visas:
In general, the foreign national’s residence is the influential factor for the
place of his or her nonimmigrant visa application. The visa is applied for at
the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in the alien’s home country. According to the 22
CFR §41.101(a), the consular officer receive non-immigrant applications from
visa applicants resident in that region.
Visa Approvals:
Once the non-immigrant visa application is approved, the consulate or embassy
will normally place a stamp (as evidence of visa issuance) in the applicant’s
passport. Issuance of a visa does not promise entry to the U.S. A visa is just
only an approval that a U.S. consular officer has evaluated the application and
that officer has determined that the applicant is qualified for entering the
country for a specific purpose.
For exact requirements and procedures, please see the non-immigrant visa
category below that applies to you.....
Tourist Visas: Appropriate for foreign nationals who wish to enter the
United States temporarily for tourism, medical visits, or some business
purposes.
Temporary Worker Visas: Non-immigrant visas for individuals who wish to
work temporarily in the United States.
- H-1B Visa: This nonimmigrant classification applies to
persons in a specialty occupation.
- H-3 Visa: This visa classification applies to trainees
other than medical or academic.
- L-1 Business Visa: A temporary visa that allows companies
operating both in the U.S. and abroad to transfer certain classes of
employee from its foreign operations to its U.S. operations.
- O1 Visa: This non-immigrant visa is reserved for aliens of
extraordinary abilities in the field of science, arts, education,
business or athletics.
- O2 Visa: Appropriate for individuals accompanying an O-1
alien to assist in a specific event or performance.
- P-1 Entertainment Visa: This category applies to individual
or team athletes, or members of an entertainment group which are
internationally familiar.
- P-2 Visa: Suitable for artists or entertainers who will
perform under a reciprocal exchange program.
- P-3 Visa: This type of temporary visa is issued to artists
or entertainers who perform under a program that is culturally unique
(same as P-1)
Student Visas: Permits the foreign nationals to engage in American
language schools, high schools, universities, and other institutions of higher
education in the U.S.
Temporary Religious Workers Visas: This nonimmigrant visa, known as R1
Visa, is available for aliens entering the United States to work in a religious
capacity.
Family Visas: U.S. family visas are always available for immediate family
members of non-immigrant visa holders, green card holders, and U.S. citizens.
The major categories of U.S. nonimmigrant family visas include the following:
We hope this information has been helpful in obtaining information on
different U.S. non-immigrant visas. You may send us an e-mail with your comments
and suggestions using the form on the contact page.
