Non-immigrant visas are for people coming to the US for a defined period with the intent to leave once that period ends — as opposed to immigrant visas, which lead toward permanent residence. US law sets out separate categories depending on the purpose of the visit: tourism, business, temporary work, study, transit, investment, training, and more.
Non-Immigrant Visa Categories
- A — Diplomats and their families (A-1/A-2/A-3)
- B — Temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2)
- B-1: covers trips to attend conferences, conventions, or business consultations, and can also extend to early-stage steps like scoping out a US branch office or setting up an investment
- B-2: covers tourism, recreation, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, and similar personal purposes
- C — Travelers in transit through the US
- D — Crew members on ships or aircraft
- E-1 / E-2 — Treaty traders and treaty investors
- E-1: for people conducting substantial trade between the US and their home country
- E-2: for people investing significant capital to develop and run a US business
- L — Intracompany transferees, for employees of a multinational company moving to a US office (new or existing) affiliated with their employer abroad
- L-1A: for managers and executives
- L-1B: for staff with specialized knowledge of the company’s products, systems, or processes
- L-1 rules also allow for transfers tied to opening a brand-new US office
- H — Temporary workers filling a short-term labor need
- H-1B: specialty occupation professionals
- H-1B1: a parallel category for professionals from Chile and Singapore under those countries’ trade agreements
- H-1C: was previously for registered nurses in shortage areas, but this category expired in 2009 and is no longer available — worth removing from your list, or replacing with a note that nurses now typically pursue EB-3 or another route
- H-2A: temporary agricultural workers
- H-2B: temporary non-agricultural workers
- H-3: trainees
- H-4: spouses and children of H visa holders
- O — Individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
- P — Internationally recognized athletes, artists, or entertainment group members
- Q — Participants in international cultural exchange programs
- F — Academic students
- J — Exchange visitors
- G — Representatives of international organizations
- K — Fiancé(e)s and spouses of US citizens
- M — Students in vocational or other non-academic study programs
- R — Religious workers
