Thinking about studying in the U.S., attending meetings, joining a family, or moving for work? U.S. visas fall into two big families: Nonimmigrant and Immigrant. This guide breaks down what each visa is for, who qualifies, and how the processes differ, so you can pick the right path with confidence.

At a glance

• Nonimmigrant visas- Temporary visits for specific purposes (e.g., tourism, study, work assignment, exchange).

• Immigrant visas- Move permanently and become a lawful permanent resident (LPR), also known as a green card holder.

Guide to Major Nonimmigrant Visa Types

1) Visitor & Transit

• B-1 (Business) / B-2 (Tourism/Visit)
  For short-term business (meetings, conferences) or tourism/visits/medical treatment.

Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for up to 90 days without a visa if they get ESTA approval and meet all conditions. (Not a visa category, but many travellers use it instead of B1/B2.)

• C (Transit) / D (Crew) / C-1/D combo

C is for immediate and continuous transit through the U.S.
D is for airline/sea crewmembers; often issued as a C-1/D combination when transit is needed. New C-4/D-3 classes cover lighter activities with longer stays.

Required items: You’ll need the DS-160 form, valid passport, photo, and visa fee/appointment. For crew visas, add documents from your airline or shipping company showing your role and route. For transit visas, include proof of onward travel and that you can legally enter your final destination. 

2) Study & Exchange

• F-1 / M-1 (Students)
  F-1: academic students; M-1: vocational. You must first be accepted by a SEVP-certified school and receive Form I-20; pay the SEVIS I-901; then apply for the visa.

• J-1 (Exchange Visitors)
  For exchanges (research scholars, interns, trainees, au pairs, etc.) sponsored by an approved program. You’ll get Form DS-2019, pay the SEVIS fee, then apply.

Required items: Before you apply, make sure you have your I-20 (for F/M visas) or DS-2019 (for J visa), paid SEVIS fee, proof of funds, evidence of ties to your home country, plus the basics- DS-160 form, valid passport, photo, and visa fee/appointment confirmation.

3) Work & Training (Temporary Workers & Professionals)

Many employment-based NIVs are petition-based: your U.S. employer typically files Form I-129 with USCIS first; after approval, you apply for the visa. Categories include:

• H-1B: Skilled workers in specialty occupations

• H-2A: Temporary agricultural workers

• H-2B: Temporary non-agricultural workers

• H-3: Trainees or special education visitors

• L-1: Intra-company transferees (managers, executives, or specialized staff)

• O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability (arts, sciences, athletics, business)

• P: Athletes, artists, and entertainers

• Q: Cultural exchange program participants

• R-1: Religious workers

• E-1/E-2: Treaty traders and investors from treaty countries

• E-3: Australians in specialty occupations

• TN: Professionals from Canada or Mexico under USMCA

• I: Foreign media representatives and journalists
  

Required items: For petition-based visas, you need an approved petition first (like Form I-129). For E visas, you must show your treaty-country nationality and business proof. For TN visas, provide your degree/experience along with a U.S. job offer. In all cases, you’ll also need the DS-160 form, passport, photo, and fee payment.

4) Family & Fiancé(e)

• K-1 (Fiancé(e) of a U.S. Citizen)
  A non-immigrant path to marriage in the U.S. requires a USCIS-approved I-129F petition prior to the visa application. 

5) Diplomatic/Official & Other Specialised

• A/G/NATO (diplomats, international organisations, NATO personnel) have dedicated rules and cannot use VWP/B visas for official travel. 

Guide to Immigrant (Permanent) Visa Categories

A) Family-Based

Immediate Relatives:

• IR1/CR1: Spouse of U.S. citizen (CR = conditional if marriage < 2 years)

• IR2/CR2: Unmarried child (<21) of U.S. citizen

• IR5: Parent of U.S. citizen (petitioner must be 21+)

Family Preference (numerically limited):

• F1: Unmarried sons/daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens

• F2A/F2B: Spouses/children; unmarried sons/daughters of LPRs

• F3: Married sons/daughters of U.S. citizens

• F4: Siblings of U.S. citizens

B) Employment-Based (EB-1 to EB-5)

• EB-1: Extraordinary ability, outstanding professors/researchers, multinational managers.

• EB-2: Advanced degree/exceptional ability (incl. NIW—National Interest Waiver).

• EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, other workers.

• EB-4: Special immigrants (certain religious workers, SIJ, some U.S.-affiliated groups).

• EB-5: Investors meeting capital/job-creation thresholds via approved projects.
  

Priority Dates & Visa Bulletin: Many family and employment categories are capped, so you may need to wait until your priority date becomes current before proceeding to the final step.

C) Other Immigrant Paths

• DV (Diversity Visa) Lottery: Annual program for eligible countries.

• SB-1 (Returning Resident): For LPRs who remained abroad too long.

• SIV programs: Certain Afghan/Iraqi affiliates processed under EB-4.

• Refugee/asylee adjustments (separate processes).

Choosing the Right Visa 

Before starting the application you need to ask yourself the following things: 

1. Purpose: visit, study, work, invest, join family, or immigrate permanently?

2. Sponsor: self, employer, or family?

3. Timeline: temporary vs. permanent; any caps/lotteries (e.g., H-1B, DV)?

4. Work permissions: Does your category allow employment (and for dependents)?

Examples

• Short tourism/business trip: B-1/B-2 (or ESTA if eligible).

• University degree: F-1, exchange program- J-1.

• Transfer within the same company: L-1.

• Specialised job with U.S. employer: H-1B (or TN/E-3/H-1B1 depending on nationality).

• Marry a U.S. citizen and immigrate: K-1 then AOS, or IR/CR via consular processing.

• Permanent employment sponsorship: EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 (with or without PERM).

Which visa you need depends on why you’re traveling to the U.S. and a few other details. When you apply, you’ll have to prove you meet the requirements for that visa type. During the application, a U.S. consular officer will review your case, check it against immigration laws, and decide if you qualify and if so, which visa category is right for you.