WHAT U.S. VISA IS BEST FOR ME?
If you want to visit US temporary or to permanently live in the US, you might be wondering what visa is best for you. There are about 185 types of visas in US categorized into 2 types:
- Nonimmigrant Visas used for temporary visits to the United States such as for tourism, business, employment, medical visits, and studying.
- Immigrant Visas used to move permanently to the United States under immigrant investor programs, family reunion or employment.
The difference between nonimmigrant and immigrant visas is the duration of time that the visa holder is allowed to stay in the US. Nonimmigrant visas are temporary, which means that they expire, and the visa holder must return to their home country immediately. Immigrant visas are otherwise known as Green Cards, are permanent. Once the visa holder has an immigrant visa, they can move to the US and stay there as long as they want to without having a deadline to return to their home country. Visas are issued by USCIS– a component of the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Non-Immigrant Visas Include the following:
- Visitor Visas-B1 visa for business visits, B2 visas for tourism visitors.
- Student Visas-F1 visa for students, F2 visa for dependents of F1 visa holders, M1 visa for vocational purposes.
- Exchange Visitor Visas-J1 visa, Q Visa.
- Temporary Work Visas-H1B visa for persons who have been employed in highly specialized fields, H1B1 visa for nationals of Chile and Singapore, H-2A visa for temporary agricultural workers from selected countries in whom the US has some type of interest, H-2B visa for other types of temporary seasonal workers, who do non-agricultural work, H-3 visa for those who want to take advantage of training and education opportunities, L1 visa for intracompany managers or executives.
- Visas for people with extraordinary ability in Arts, Science, Business, Education, or Athletics- O1 visa for persons with extraordinary abilities, O2 visa for the assistants of O1 visa holders, O3 visa for dependents of O1 visa holders, P visas for sportspersons and their coaching teams.
- Temporary Religious Workers who want to practice within the US in religious capacities need to get the R1 visa type.
- TN/TD visas– for citizens of Canada or Mexico who will be working in the NAFTA organization.
- E3 visas-for nationals of Australia who will be working in specialty occupations.
- I visa-for representatives of foreign media and journalists’ part of the press, film, radio, or print industries, who are visiting the US to work or participate in educational media activities.
- Treaty Trader and Investor Visas- E1 Visa – treaty trader visa, E2 Visa – treaty investor visa
- Diplomatic and Official Visas– A1 visa is for diplomats or foreign government officials who are travelling to the US on official duties or representing their government, A2 NATO1-6 visa is designed only for foreign military personnel who are about to serve or be stationed within the United States.
- Visas for Victims of Crime and Human Trafficking-T visas are for victims of human trafficking who have severe trauma but can also assist in investigating crimes related to human trafficking, U visa is for those who have been a victim of certain criminal activities and that can aid in the investigation or prosecution of those criminals.
- Transit and Crewmember Visas- C Visa is a Transit Visa USA, D visa is for crew members who will work on a sea vessel or international airline.
Immigrant Visas Include the following:
- The F2A and F2B visas are for the families of Lawful Permanent Residents, more specifically their spouses, minor children, or unmarried sons and daughters aged 21 and above.
- IR-2 visa – for unmarried children under 21 years old
- IR5 visa – for parents of US Citizens who are at least 21 years old
- F1 visa – for unmarried sons and daughters and their minor children
- F3 visa – for married sons and daughters and their minor children
- F4 visa – for brothers and sisters of US Citizens, and their spouses and minor children.
- IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 visas are for children from other countries who will be adopted by US citizen parent(s)
- SQ visa is for Iraqi or Afghan citizens who will be working for or on behalf of the US government and get Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
- Fiancé and Spouse Visas-K3 visas are for spouses of US citizens who are in the process of obtaining permanent immigration status, IR1 and CR1 visas are for spouses of US Citizens, children of the K-3 visa applicants are eligible to receive K-4 visas
- Employer-Sponsored Visas-EB1 visa is called an employment first preference priority workers visa, employment second preference professionals holding advanced degrees and persons of exceptional ability visas are for those who have labor certification and a job offer in the US, employment third preference skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers visa are for those who have an approved petition for alien worker filed by their employers.
- Eb-5 visa for immigrant investors.
- SI visa is for Iraqi and Afghan Translators or Interpreters working with the US military and who meet certain requirements.
- SQ visa is for Iraqi or Afghan citizens who will be working for or on behalf of the US government and get Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).
- The Diversity Immigrant Visas are for persons who are deemed to be “diversity immigrants” meaning that they come from countries that have low immigration rates to the US.
If you need more help to decide what visa is best for you, you can book a phone consultation here and a trained professional will help you.
