The types of U.S. visas are generally divided into nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visas for permanently living in the United States. The correct category depends on the primary purpose of the trip and each applicant’s individual circumstances.
Not everyone traveling to the United States needs a visa. Some travelers may enter through the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA authorization if they meet the requirements. In addition, having a valid visa allows you to travel to a port of entry and request admission, but it does not guarantee that CBP will authorize your entry.
One of the advantages of understanding the types of U.S. visas is that you can identify which one best fits your current circumstances. This guide serves as an index: first, identify the purpose of your trip, and then review the corresponding categories and specific Curbelo Law guides.
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How the types of U.S. visas are organized
The Department of State divides visas into two main groups. Nonimmigrant visas are used for temporary purposes, such as tourism, study, or certain types of employment.
Immigrant visas are associated with permanent residence. Within each group, there are many more specific categories.
A visa letter or classification alone is not enough to determine whether you qualify. The purpose of your trip, your nationality, any petition or sponsorship required for certain categories, and the facts of your case determine the appropriate path. You can use the Department of State’s official Visa Wizard as an initial guide. The tool itself explains that it does not determine legal eligibility.
| Primary purpose | Common categories | General type |
|---|---|---|
| Tourism, visits, or short business trips | B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 | Nonimmigrant |
| Study or exchange | F, M, J | Nonimmigrant |
| Temporary employment | H, L, O, P, R, TN/TD, E-3, among others | Nonimmigrant |
| Treaty trade or investment | E-1, E-2 | Nonimmigrant |
| Family and permanent residence | IR, CR, and F preferences | Immigrant |
| Permanent employment or investment | EB-1 through EB-5 | Immigrant |
| Victims of trafficking or certain crimes | T, U | Nonimmigrant |
Nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays
Nonimmigrant visas allow individuals to travel to the United States for an authorized temporary purpose. There is no single visa for simply “going to the United States.” Tourism, study, employment, investment, exchange programs, transit, or official activities may require different classifications.
B-1 and B-2 tourist and business visas
There are two main classifications for temporary visitors, in addition to the combined B-1/B-2 visa. The activities you plan to engage in during your trip determine the appropriate classification:
- B-1 visa for certain temporary business trips, such as consulting with business associates, attending professional conventions, negotiating contracts, or settling an estate.
- B-2 visa for tourism, vacations, visits with family or friends, medical treatment, and certain social activities.
A visitor visa does not, by itself, authorize employment in the United States or studies that require a student visa. If a person remains beyond the authorized period, immigration consequences may arise. Our guide explains what may happen if you overstay a tourist visa in the United States.
Student and exchange visas
Foreign nationals may legally study in the United States as long as they are eligible for the appropriate student visa. Before applying for an F or M visa, the student must be accepted by an authorized school or program.
- F-1 visa for foreign students enrolled in an academic program, such as a college or university.
- F-2: dependents of an F-1 visa holder who meet the classification requirements.
- M-1: for authorized vocational or nonacademic studies.
- M-2: dependents of an M-1 visa holder who meet the classification requirements.
- J-1: for participants in approved exchange programs. J-2 status may be available to certain spouses and children.
Temporary work visas
To work legally in the United States, a person needs a classification that authorizes the corresponding employment activity. Many temporary employment categories also require a petition to be filed by the employer in advance. Requirements vary depending on the job, duration, employer, and nationality.
- H-1B visa for professionals in specialty occupations who meet the requirements of the category.
- H-2A visa for temporary agricultural employment.
- H-2B visa for nonagricultural workers. Among other requirements, the category requires the employer’s need for workers to be temporary.
- H-3: for certain individuals receiving training that is unavailable in their home country and for certain special education exchange visitor programs.
- L-1: for certain employees transferred within a company. It includes L-1A for executives or managers and the L-1B visa for employees with specialized knowledge.
- O visa for certain individuals with extraordinary ability or extraordinary achievement, with different subcategories depending on the circumstances.
- P visa for certain athletes, artists, entertainers, and entertainment groups.
- R visa for certain temporary religious workers. The primary classification is R-1.
- TN visa for certain professional citizens of Mexico or Canada who qualify under the USMCA.
- E-3: for certain Australian professionals working in specialty occupations.
If your goal is to work, it is helpful to first review the requirements for employment-based visas in the U.S., because a job offer alone does not identify the correct classification.
Employment authorization depends on the immigration classification and the restrictions that apply to each status. Do not assume that a visitor visa allows you to accept employment in the United States.
E visas for treaty traders and investors
E visas are treaty-based nonimmigrant classifications. They should not be confused with employment-based immigrant categories commonly referred to as EB-1, EB-2, or EB-3 in USCIS guidance.
- E-1 visa for certain treaty-country traders who engage in substantial trade between the United States and the treaty country.
- E-2 visa for certain investors from treaty countries who develop and direct a qualifying investment.
T and U visas for certain victims
Victims of certain crimes and abuse in the U.S. may be eligible for specific nonimmigrant classifications. Eligibility does not depend solely on having been the victim of a crime. Each category has its own legal elements and requirements.
- T visa for certain victims of severe forms of human trafficking who meet the applicable legal requirements.
- U visa for victims of certain crimes who have suffered substantial abuse and who meet, among other requirements, the conditions related to cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
VAWA and Special Immigrant Juvenile classification are separate forms of immigration protection, not names for T or U visas. A person who suffered abuse by a qualifying family member may explore a VAWA self-petition and review our guide to the so-called VAWA visa. Certain minors who have suffered abuse, abandonment, or neglect may consider Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
Visas for foreign governments and international organizations
Official travel by diplomats, government officials, and representatives of international organizations has its own visa classifications. These include A, G, and NATO visas.
- A visa: for officials and diplomats of foreign governments. This includes:
- A-1 visa: for certain heads of state, ambassadors, ministers, or senior officials traveling for official activities.
- A-2 visa: for certain government officials, embassy or consular employees, and other individuals traveling for official activities.
- G visa: for members of international organizations. This includes:
- G-1 visa: issued to certain members of a permanent mission of a recognized government.
- G-2 visa: issued to certain representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily for international meetings.
- G-3 visa: for certain representatives of unrecognized or nonmember governments.
- G-4 visa: for certain individuals traveling on assignment for an international organization.
- G-5 visa: for certain personal employees or domestic workers of G-1 through G-4 visa holders.
Transit, crew member, and media visas
Specific classifications are available for certain transit travel, work aboard aircraft or vessels, and professional activities by members of the foreign media:
- C visa: for foreign nationals who require immediate and continuous transit through the U.S. to a foreign destination.
- D visa: for individuals who work aboard commercial vessels or international airlines and meet the classification requirements. The travel itinerary often requires a C-1/D combination visa.
- I visa: for certain representatives of foreign media, such as journalists and other professionals engaged in qualifying activities.
The Border Crossing Card for certain Mexican citizens, known as a BCC or “laser visa,” has its own rules. The official directory of visa categories can be used to review current classifications and their purposes.
Immigrant visas for permanently living in the United States
Among the types of U.S. visas intended for immigration, the main pathways are based on family, employment, investment, special categories, and the Diversity Visa Program. These visas are used to enter the country for the purpose of becoming a permanent resident, and many require an approved petition before reaching the consular processing stage.
Family: IR, CR, and F categories
Family-based categories depend on the applicant’s relationship to the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident filing the petition and, for family preference categories, on visa availability. Classifications listed in the Department of State’s directory include:
- IR-1 and CR-1: for spouses of U.S. citizens. The specific classification depends, among other factors, on the length of the marriage at the relevant time.
- IR-2, CR-2, and IR-5: for certain children or parents of U.S. citizens.
- F1: for unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older under the applicable preference category for relatives of U.S. citizens.
- F3: for married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
- F4: for brothers and sisters when the U.S. citizen is 21 years of age or older.
- F2A: for spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age of lawful permanent residents.
- F2B: for unmarried sons and daughters age 21 or older of lawful permanent residents.
- IR-3: for children adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen when this classification applies.
- IR-4: for certain children entering the U.S. to be adopted by a U.S. citizen.
- IH-3 and IH-4: categories related to adoptions under the Hague Convention, depending on whether the adoption is completed outside or inside the United States.
K-1 and K-3 visas are technically nonimmigrant visas, although the Department of State lists them alongside immigrant categories because of their immigration-related purpose. The K-1 fiancé(e) visa allows a person to travel to the United States for the purpose of marrying the petitioning U.S. citizen and continuing with the corresponding immigration process.
In our section on U.S. family-based immigration, you will find specific guides covering different family relationships and process requirements.
Permanent employment and investment: EB categories
The Department of State organizes employment-based immigration into five preference categories. In USCIS practice, the designations EB-1 through EB-5 are commonly used, while the consular directory uses visa symbols that may appear as E1, E2, E3, and other codes within those preferences.
- EB-1 visa for certain priority workers, including certain individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and certain multinational executives or managers.
- EB-2 visa for professionals holding advanced degrees and individuals with exceptional ability. In certain cases, a national interest waiver may be available.
- EB-3 visa for certain skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
- EB-4: for certain categories of special immigrants, including some religious workers and other classifications defined by law.
- EB-5: for certain immigrant investors who meet the program’s investment and job creation requirements.
Other immigrant visa categories
- DV: Diversity Visa for selected individuals who meet the requirements of the applicable program.
- SB-1: for certain returning permanent residents who can demonstrate that their prolonged stay outside the United States was due to circumstances beyond their control.
ESTA is not a visa: when you may travel without applying for one
The Visa Waiver Program allows most eligible citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, provided they have valid ESTA authorization and meet the other requirements. ESTA is a travel authorization, not a type of visa.
For this reason, it is incorrect to apply the 90-day rule to every B-1/B-2 visa holder. CBP determines the authorized period of stay for a person admitted with a visa at the time of entry. The visa’s expiration date also does not determine how long the person may remain in the United States. Review the official Visa Waiver Program rules before assuming that you may travel with ESTA.
How to determine which visa category may apply to you
Before comparing the types of U.S. visas, identify the primary purpose of your trip. These questions can help rule out pathways that do not apply:
- Duration: Will your stay be temporary or permanent? Tourism and many temporary jobs fall under nonimmigrant classifications, while permanent residence through family or employment generally involves an immigrant process.
- Purpose: Are you planning to work, study, invest, visit, or reunite with family? Each purpose may require a different classification.
- Sponsorship: Do you need an employer, family member, or sponsoring organization? Many categories require a petition or prior approval before the visa application can be filed.
- Nationality: Does your nationality affect your options? Some classifications depend on treaties or specific nationalities, and reciprocity rules may affect validity and the number of permitted entries.
- Background: Is there a relevant immigration or criminal history? An unauthorized stay, a prior denial, fraud, certain criminal convictions, or other circumstances may affect eligibility or require additional analysis.
If you still do not know where to begin, first use the official Visa Wizard to identify possible categories and then review the requirements for that classification. The tool does not “confirm” that a person is eligible. The consular decision depends on the law and the facts of the case.
Requirements and process: there is no identical application process for every visa
The process differs between nonimmigrant and immigrant visas and also varies by category. For this reason, requirements such as the application form, a prior petition, fees, the interview, or supporting documentation should not be presented as universal requirements.
DS-160 for temporary visa applications
For many nonimmigrant visas, the process includes completing Form DS-160 through CEAC, obtaining the confirmation page, paying the applicable fee, and scheduling the interview according to the instructions of the relevant U.S. consulate or embassy. Some petition-based categories require additional steps beforehand.
Passport, photograph, and supporting document requirements depend on the category and the consular post. The Department of State states that a passport generally must be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay, subject to exceptions under specific agreements.
DS-260 in immigrant consular processing
In many immigrant visa processes, a petition is filed first and the National Visa Center becomes involved when applicable. Once the case is ready and the required fees have been paid, the applicant completes Form DS-260 and follows the instructions regarding civil documents, financial evidence, the medical examination, and the interview.
Fees also depend on the category and may change. Rather than assuming a fixed amount, review the current schedule of official visa service fees.
Frequently asked questions about U.S. visas
What should I do if my visa is damaged?
If your visa is damaged, you will need to apply for a new one at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Review the instructions from the appropriate consular post because the procedure may vary.
What should I do if my visa expires before I travel to the United States?
If your visa expires, you will need to apply for a new one and pay the applicable processing fee to obtain a nonimmigrant visa. You may also need to submit new documentation.
Temporary or permanent: what is the difference?
The difference is that nonimmigrant visas are temporary, while immigrant visas are intended for permanent residence in the United States. Each group includes categories with their own requirements.
Does a visa guarantee that I can enter the United States?
A visa does not guarantee that you can enter the U.S. It allows you to travel to a port of entry and request admission; CBP decides whether you may enter and, when applicable, how long you may stay. 
How long can I stay in the U.S. with a visa?
The visa expiration date does not determine how long you may remain during each visit. When a traveler is admitted with a visa, CBP determines the authorized period of stay at entry. The rule allowing stays of up to 90 days applies to the Visa Waiver Program for eligible travelers, not to all tourist or business visas.
Are all U.S. visas valid for 10 years?
No. Visa validity and the number of entries depend on the classification and, for nonimmigrant visas, may vary based on nationality and reciprocity rules. Review the information that applies to your country and visa category.
Do children need a visa interview?
Since October 1, 2025, the Department of State has indicated that nonimmigrant visa applicants, including children under age 14, generally require an in-person interview unless they fall within a category or renewal process that qualifies for an exception. A consulate may require an interview on a case-by-case basis.
I have a valid visa in an expired passport. Can I still use it?
If your passport has expired but contains a valid visa, you may travel with that passport containing the visa. However, you will also need to carry a new, valid passport. This applies if the visa has not been canceled or revoked and all other applicable conditions are met.
Will I receive a refund if my visa application is denied?
If your U.S. visa application is denied, you will not receive a refund because the fees cover the cost of processing the application. The application fee is nonrefundable.
What should I do if my visa is denied?
A denial may be based on different grounds, and not every denial is addressed in the same way. Review our guide on what to do if your visa application is denied before assuming that simply submitting the same application again will resolve the issue.
What does renewing a visa involve?
Renewal requires a new application and the process applicable to the visa category. Some individuals renewing certain visas may qualify for an interview waiver, but the consulate retains the authority to require an interview. Review our guide on how to renew a U.S. visa.
What type of U.S. visa do I need for my case?
It depends on the primary purpose of the trip, whether the stay will be temporary or permanent, your nationality, and whether a sponsor, employer, or prior petition is required. The types of U.S. visas are not interchangeable: before applying, identify the appropriate category and confirm its requirements with the relevant official source.
New Jersey attorneys for visa guidance
The visa application process can be complex for some individuals, so obtaining guidance and legal assistance from an attorney experienced in these matters can be beneficial.
At Curbelo Law, with offices in Ridgewood and Newark, New Jersey, our New Jersey immigration lawyers can evaluate your circumstances and explain the options that may apply. If you have a criminal history that may affect your immigration case, you can also review our crimmigration section.
Call us to discuss which category may fit the purpose of your trip and which requirements should be reviewed before filing an application.
