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9/2/2019 Directory of Visa Categories
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html 1/3
Directory of Visa Categories
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
The chart below contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more:
Purpose of Travel Visa
Category
Required: Before
applying for visa*
Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only)
B-1 (NA)
Au pair (exchange visitor) J SEVIS
Australian professional specialty E-3 DOL
Border Crossing Card: Mexico BCC (NA)
Business visitor B-1 (NA)
CNMI-only transitional worker CW-1 (USCIS)
Crewmember D (NA)
Diplomat or foreign government official
A
(NA)
Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign national
employer B-1 (NA)
Employee of a designated international organization or NATO
G1-G5, NATO
(NA)
Exchange visitor J SEVIS
F i ilit l t ti d A 2
9/2/2019 Directory of Visa Categories
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Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States
A-2 NATO1-6
(NA)
Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education,
Business or Athletics O USCIS
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional:
Chile, Singapore
H-1B1 - Chile
H-1B1 - Singapore
DOL
International cultural exchange visitor
Q USCIS
Intra-company transferee L USCIS
Medical treatment, visitor for B-2 (NA)
Media, journalist I (NA)
NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada
TN/TD (NA)
Performing athlete, artist, entertainer
P USCIS
Physician J , H-1B SEVIS
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor)
J SEVIS
Religious worker R USCIS
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized
knowledge H-1B
DOL then USCIS
Student: academic, vocational F, M SEVIS
Temporary agricultural worker H-2A DOL then
USCIS
Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or
seasonal nature. H-2B
DOL then USCIS
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor B-2 (NA)
Training in a program not primarily for employment
H-3 USCIS
Treaty trader/treaty investor E (NA)
Transiting the United States C (NA)
Victim of Criminal Activity U USCIS
Victim of Human Trafficking T USCIS
Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent
Resident (LPR) V (NA)
Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Visas
(NA)
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NATO Visas ( )
*What the abbreviations above mean - Before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the following is required:
DOL = The U.S. employer must obtain foreign labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, prior to filing a petition with USCIS. USCIS = U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval of a petition or application (The required petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to apply for.) SEVIS = Program approval entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) (NA) = Not Applicable - Additional approval by another U.S. government agency is not required prior to applying for a visa
Important Notes:
About this chart – It is not a complete list of all travel purposes for the visa category. Select a visa category webpage for more information. The chart lists almost all nonimmigrant visa categories, with the exception of several not listed above. Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 402.1 for all nonimmigrant visa categories. Canadian NAFTA Professional workers – A visa not required; apply to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at border port of entry. K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé(e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
Immigrant Visa Categories
