We welcome visitors to the United States (U.S.), 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. Visit Travel Without a Visa to learn more.
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. For more detailed information specific to each visa category, including how-to-apply information and more, select a link from the Visa Type column below.
Purpose of Travel to U.S. and Nonimmigrant Visas | Visa Type | Required: Before Applying for Visa* |
Athletes, amateur & professional (compete for prize money only) | B-1 | (NA) |
Au pairs (exchange visitor) | ---J--- | SEVIS |
Australian professional specialty | E-3 | DOL |
Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC | (NA) |
Business visitors | B-1 | (NA) |
Crewmembers | ---D--- | (NA) |
Diplomats and foreign government officials | ---A--- | (NA) |
Domestic employees or nanny -must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 | (NA) |
Employees of a designated international organization, and NATO | G1-G5, NATO | (NA) |
Exchange visitors | ---J--- | SEVIS |
Foreign military personnel stationed in the U.S. | A-2 NATO1-6 |
(NA) |
Foreign nationals with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | ---O--- | USCIS |
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professionals: Chile, Singapore | H-1B1 - Chile H-1B1 - Singapore |
DOL |
International cultural exchange visitors | Q | USCIS |
Intra-company transferees | ---L--- | USCIS |
Medical treatment, visitors for | B-2 | (NA) |
Media, journalists | ---I--- | (NA) |
NAFTA professional workers: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD | (NA) |
Performing athletes, artists, entertainers | ---P--- | USCIS |
Physician | J , H-1B | SEVIS |
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | ---J--- | SEVIS |
Religious workers | ---R--- | USCIS |
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B | DOL then USCIS |
Students: academic, vocational | F, M | SEVIS |
Temporary agricultural workers | H-2A | DOL then USCIS |
Temporary workers performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B | DOL then USCIS |
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitors | B-2 | (NA) |
Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 | USCIS |
Treaty traders/treaty investors | ---E--- | (NA) |
Transiting the United States | ---C--- | (NA) |
Victims of Criminal Activity | U | USCIS |
Victims of Human Trafficking | ---T--- | USCIS |
Visa Renewals - Available in the U.S. | (NA) |
*What the abbreviations (above) mean:
Before applying for a visa at a U.S. Embassy abroad the following is required:
Notes:
Important Notices: This chart includes nonimmigrant visas and the associated purpose of travel with links to relevant webpages. However, it should be noted this chart is not a complete list of all purposes of travel or types of nonimmigrant visas. Each visa applicant must meet the eligibility requirements for the type of visa for which he/she is applying, as determined by the consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, following U.S. immigration laws. See more detailed information on our temporary visitor webpages.