| Nonimmigrant
Visas |
General Information on
Nonimmigrant Benefits |
| Nonimmigrant
Classifications and Visas |
Government
Information |
| |
| |
Foreign Government
Officials |
|
| A-1 |
Ambassador, public minister,
career, diplomatic or consular officer, and members of immediate
family. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(A)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(a) | |
| A-2 |
Other foreign government official
or employee, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(A)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(a) | |
| A-3 |
Attendant, servant, or personal
employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(A)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(a) | |
| |
|
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| |
Visitors |
Business or Pleasure
Visitors
Tips for U.S. Visas - Business or Pleasure Visitors |
| B-1 |
Temporary visitor for
business |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(B) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(b) | |
| B-2 |
Temporary visitor for
pleasure |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(B) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(b) | |
| |
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| |
Visa Waiver
Program |
Visa Waiver Program
(Immigration.gov)
Visa Waiver Program (Dept. of State) |
| |
|
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Aliens in
Transit |
|
| C-1 |
Alien in transit directly through
U.S. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(C) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(c) | |
| C-1D |
Combined transit and crewman
visa |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(C)
& (D) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(c) | |
| C-2 |
Alien in transit to UN
headquarters district under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the
Headquarters Agreement |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(C) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(c) | |
| C-3 |
Foreign government official,
members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in
transit |
| INA Section
212(d)(8) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(c) | |
| C-4 |
Transit without Visa, see
TWOV |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3), and
212(d)(5) |
|
8 CFR
212.1(f) | |
| |
|
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| |
Crewmen |
|
| D-1 |
Crewmember departing on same
vessel of arrival |
| INA section
101(a)(15)(D) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(d) | |
| D-2 |
Crewmember departing by means
other than vessel of arrival |
| INA section
101(a)(15)(D) |
|
| 8 CFR
214.2(d) | |
| |
|
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| |
Treaty Traders and Treaty
Investors |
Instructions for Form I-129:
Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| E-1 |
Treaty Trader, spouse and
children |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(E)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(e)(1) | |
| E-2 |
Treaty Investor, spouse and
children |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(E)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(e)(2) | |
| |
|
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Academic
Students |
Dept. of State: Implementation of
ISEAS
Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become an Academic
Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas:
Foreign Students
Dept. of State: Information on Student Visas
Dept.
of State: What Consuls Look For
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements
for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My
School for Foreign Student Assistance? |
| F-1 |
Academic Student |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(F)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(f) | |
| F-2 |
Spouse or child of F-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(F)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(f) | |
| |
|
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| |
For Foreign Medical
Graduates (see individual categories H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN,
E-2) |
|
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Foreign Government Officials
to International Organizations |
|
| G-1 |
Principal resident representative
of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and
members of immediate family. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(G)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(g) | |
| G-2 |
Other representative of
recognized foreign member government to international organization, and
members of immediate family. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(G)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(e)(1) | |
| G-3 |
Representative of non-recognized
or nonmember government to international organization, and members of
immediate family |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(G)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(G) | |
| G-4 |
International organization
officer or employee, and members of immediate family |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(G)(iv) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(g) | |
| G-5 |
Attendant, servant, or personal
employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, or members of immediate family |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(G)(v) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(g) | |
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|
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Temporary
Workers |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary
Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
|
| H-1B |
Specialty Occupations, DOD
workers, fashion models |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(4) | |
| H-1C |
Nurses going to work for up to
three years in health professional shortage areas |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(3) | |
| H-2A |
Temporary Agricultural
Worker |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(5) | |
| H-2B |
Temporary worker: skilled and
unskilled |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(6) | |
| H-3 |
Trainee |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(7) | |
| H-4 |
Spouse or child of H-1, H-2,
H-3 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(H)(iv) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(h)(9)(iv) | |
| |
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Foreign Media
Representatives |
Dept. of State: Revalidation of
"I" Journalist Visas |
| I |
Visas for foreign media
representatives |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(I) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(i) | |
| |
|
|
| |
Exchange
Visitors |
Dept. of State: Implementation of
ISEAS
Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
How Do I Get
a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement if I am an Exchange
Visitor
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
How
Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| J-1 |
Visas for exchange
visitors |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(J)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(j) | |
| J-2 |
Spouse or child of J-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(J)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(j) | |
| |
|
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| |
Fiance(e) of US
Citizen |
|
| K-1 |
Fiance(e) |
How Do I Bring My Fiance(e) to
the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas:
Fiance(e)s
How Do I Change My Fiance(e)'s Status to Lawful Permanent
Resident?
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(K) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(k) | |
| K-2 |
Minor child of K-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(K) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(k) | |
| K-3 |
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE
Act) |
How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant
as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen?
Dept. of State: The New K and
V
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(K)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(k) | |
| K-4 |
Child of K-3 (LIFE Act) |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(K)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(k) | |
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| |
Intracompany
Transferee |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary
Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker |
| L-1A |
Executive, managerial |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(L) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(l) | |
| L-1B |
Specialized knowledge |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(L) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(l) | |
| L-2 |
Spouse or child of L-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(L) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(l) | |
| |
|
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| |
Vocational and Language
Students |
Immigration.gov Information on
Student Visas
How Do I Become a Vocational Student in the United
States?
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Dept. of State: Tips
for U.S. Visas: Foreign Student Visas
Dept. of State: Applying for a
foreign Student Visa
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For - Student
Visas
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students
in U.S. Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign
Student Attendance |
| M-1 |
Vocational student or other
nonacademic student |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(M)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(m) | |
| M-2 |
Spouse or child of M-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(M)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(m) | |
| |
|
|
| N-8 |
Parent of alien classified SK-3
"Special Immigrant" |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(N)(i) |
|
| |
| N-9 |
Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4
"Special Immmigrant" |
| INA Section 101(a)
(15)(N)(ii) through (iv) |
|
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|
| NAFTA |
North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) (see TN, below) |
|
| |
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North Atlantic Treaty
Organization |
|
| NATO-1 |
Principal Permanent
Representative of Member State to NATO and resident members of official
staff or immediate family |
Not included in the
INA
Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 20, 5 US Treaties
1098 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-2 |
Other representatives of member
State; Dependents of Member of a Force entering in accordance with the
provisions of NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; Members of such a Force if
issued visas |
Article 13, 5 US Treaties
1094
Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 4 US Treaties
1796 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-3 |
Official clerical staff
accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO or immediate
family |
| Article 14, 5 US Treaties
1096 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-4 |
Official of NATO other than those
qualified as NATO-1 and immediate family |
| Article 18, 5 US Treaties
1096 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-5 |
Expert other than NATO officials
qualified under NATO-4, employed on behalf of NATO and immediate
family |
| Article 21, 5 US Treaties
1100 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-6 |
Member of civilian component who
is either accompanying a Force entering in accordance with the provisions
of the NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; attached to an Allied headquarters
under the protocol on the Status of International Military headquarters
set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their
dependents |
Article 1, 4 US Treaties
1794
Article 3, 5 US Treaties 877 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| NATO-7 |
Servant or personal employee of
NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6, or immediate
family |
| Articles 12-20, 5 US
Treaties 1094 - 1098 |
|
8 CFR
214.2(s) | |
| |
|
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| |
Workers with Extraordinary
Abilities |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary
Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker
Certification? |
| O-1 |
Extraordinary ability in
Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(O)(i)) |
|
8 CFR 214.2(o)(1), 8 CFR
214.2(o)(2), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3) | |
| O-2 |
Alien's (support) accompanying
O-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(O)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(o)(4) | |
| O-3 |
Spouse or child of O-1 or
O-2 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(O)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(o)(5) | |
| |
|
|
| |
Athletes and
Entertainers |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary
Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker |
| P-1 |
Individual or team
athletes |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(P)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(p)(4) | |
| P-1 |
Entertainment groups |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(P)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(p)(4) | |
| P-2 |
Artists and entertainers in
reciprocal Exchange programs |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(P)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(p)(5) | |
| P-3 |
Artists and entertainers in
culturally unique programs |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(P)(iii) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(p)(6) | |
| P-4 |
Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or
3 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(P)(iv) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D) | |
| |
|
|
| |
International Cultural
Exchange Visitors |
|
| Q-1 |
International cultural exchange
visitors |
Immigration.gov Information on
Exchange Visitors
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange
Visitors
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant
Worker
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(Q)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(q) | |
| Q-2 |
Irish Peace Process Cultural and
Training Program (Walsh Visas) |
Walsh Visa Program
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(l) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(q)(15) | |
| Q-3 |
Spouse or child of Q-2 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(ll) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(q)(15) | |
| |
|
|
| |
Religious
Workers |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary
Religious Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a
Nonimmigrant Worker |
| R-1 |
Religious workers |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(R) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(r) | |
| R-2 |
Spouse or child of R-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(R) |
|
8 CFR
214.2(r) | |
| |
|
|
| |
Witness or
Informant |
|
| S-5 |
Informant of criminal
organization information |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(S)(i) |
|
| |
| S-6 |
Informant of terrorism
information |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(S)(ii) |
|
| |
| |
|
|
| T |
Victims of a Severe Form of
Trafficking in Persons |
Victims of Trafficking and
Violence Protection Act of 2000
Fact Sheet on T Application
Process
Dept. of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
Dept. of
State: Foreign Affairs Manual, Section 41.84 |
| T-1 |
Victim of a severe form of
trafficking in persons |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(T)(i) |
|
8 CFR
214.11 | |
| T-2 |
Spouse of a victim of a severe
form of trafficking in persons |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.11(o) | |
| T-3 |
Child of victim of a severe form
of trafficking in persons |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.11(o) | |
| T-4 |
Parent of victim of a severe form
of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of
age) |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
|
8 CFR
214.11(o) | |
| |
|
|
| |
North American Free Trade
Agreement (NAFTA) |
Dept. of State: Professionals
Under NAFTA
Changes to NAFTA and new 2004 Trade Agreements |
| TN |
Trade visas for Canadians and
Mexicans |
| INA Section
214(e)(2) |
|
8 CFR 214.6
Canadians: 8
CFR 214.6(d)
Mexicans: 8 CFR
214.6(e) | |
| TD |
Spouse or child accompanying
TN- |
| INA Section
214(e)(2) |
|
8 CFR
214.6(j) | |
| |
|
|
| |
Transit Without
Visa |
|
| TWOV |
Passenger |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3) and
212(d)(5) |
|
8 CFR
212.1(f) | |
| TWOV |
Crew |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3) and
212(d)(5) |
|
8 CFR
212.1(f) | |
| |
|
|
| U |
Victims of Certain
Crimes |
|
| U-1 |
Victim of Certain Criminal Activity |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(U) |
|
| |
| U-2 |
Spouse of U-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(U) |
|
| |
| U-3 |
Child of U-1 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(U) |
|
| |
| U-4 |
Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21
years of age |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(U) |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
Certain Second
Preference Beneficiaries |
How Do I Become a V-Nonimmigrant
as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Permanent Resident?
Dept. of State:
The New K and V Visas |
| V-1 |
Spouse of an LPR who is the
principal beneficiary of a family-based petition (Form I-130) which was
filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three
years |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(V) |
|
8 CFR
214.15 | |
| V-2 |
Child of an LPR who is the
principal beneficiary of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) that
was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least
three years. |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(V) |
|
8 CFR
214.15 | |
| V-3 |
The derivative child of a V-1 or
V-2 |
| INA Section
101(a)(15)(V) |
|
8 CFR
214.15 | |
| |
|
|
| |
Humanitarian
Parole |
Immigration.gov Information on
Humanitarian Parole |
| |
|
|
| |
Temporary Protected Status
(TPS) |
Immigration.gov Information on
Temporary Protected Status
How Do I Apply for Temporary Protected
Status? |
| TPS |
Temporary Protected
Status |
| INA Section 244 |
|
8 CFR
244 | |
