A List of NIV Visas
Overview
We welcome visitors to the United States with secure borders and open doors. Most Canadian citizens and many citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries can come to the U.S. without a visa if they meet certain requirements, which you can read about here.
There are various types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors to travel to the U.S., if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. It's important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel, and the steps required to apply for the visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
Review the chart below to determine the type of visa you need. For more detailed information specific to each visa type, including how-to-apply information and more, select a link from the Visa Type column below.
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category |
| Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 |
| Au pair (exchange visitor) | J |
| Australian professional specialty | E-3 |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC |
| Business visitor | B-1 |
| Crewmember | D |
| Diplomat or foreign government official | A |
| Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 |
| Employee of a designated international organization or NATO | G1-G5, NATO |
| Exchange visitor | J |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2 |
| Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: | H-1B1 - Chile |
| Chile, Singapore | H-1B1 - Singapore |
| International cultural exchange visitor | Q |
| Intra-company transferee | L |
| Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 |
| Media, journalist | I |
| NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD |
| Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P |
| Physician | J , H-1B |
| Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J |
| Religious worker | R |
| Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B |
| Student: academic, vocational | F, M |
| Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A |
| Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B |
| Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 |
| Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 |
| Treaty trader/treaty investor | E |
| Transiting the United States | C |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V |
| Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Visas | |
| Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker | CW-1 |
| Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker – Dependents | CW-2 |