A List of NIV Types

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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 United States. 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 United States 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 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 to United States and Nonimmigrant Visas Visa Type
Athletes, artists, entertainers P
Australian worker - professional specialty E-3
Border Crossing Card: Mexico BCC
Business visitors B-1
Crewmembers (serving aboard a sea vessel or aircraft in the United States D
Diplomats and foreign government officials A
Domestic employees or nannies (must be accompanying a foreign national employer) B-1
Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO G1-G5, NATO
Exchange visitors J
Exchange visitors - au pairs J-1
Exchange visitors - children (under age 21) or spouse of a J-1 holder J-2
Exchange visitors - professors, scholars, teachers J-1
Exchange visitors - international cultural J, Q
Fiancé(e) K-1
Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States A-2, NATO1-6
Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics O-1
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Chile H-1B1
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) professionals: Singapore H-1B1
Information media representative (media, journalists) I
Intra-company transferees L
Medical treatment, visitors for B-2
NAFTA professional workers: Mexico, Canada TN/TD
Nurses traveling to areas short of health care professionals H-1C
Physicians J-1, H-1B
Religious workers R
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge H-1B
Students - academic and language students F-1
Student dependents - dependent of an F-1 holder F-2
Students – vocational M-1
Student dependents - dependent of an M-1 holder M-2
Temporary workers - seasonal agricultural H-2A
Temporary workers – nonagricultural H-2B
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitors B-2
Training in a program not primarily for employment H-3
Treaty investors E-2
Treaty traders E-1
Transiting the United States C
Victims of human trafficking T-1
Visa renewals in the United States - A, G, and NATO A1-2, G1-4, NATO1-6