| TYPE OF VISA |
GENERAL PURPOSE FOR ENTRY |
VISA WAIVER (WB/WT)
Also known as "no visa."
|
To enter the U.S. temporarily in order to conduct B-1 business in the U.S. on behalf of an employer outside the U.S., or to engage in B-2 activities for pleasure |
B-1 VISITOR VISA
For short-term business purposes.
|
To enter the U.S. temporarily in order to conduct business in the U.S. on behalf of an employer abroad. |
B-2 VISITOR VISA
Visitor for pleasure.
|
To enter the U.S. temporarily in order to engage in activities for pleasure. |
E-1 VISA
For traders and key employees under the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the U.S. and foreign country.
|
To work as an executive, supervisory or essential skills employee of a company which trades in goods or services principally between the U.S. and foreign country. |
E-2 VISA
For investors and key employees under the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the U.S. and foreign country.
|
To direct and develop one's investment in a U.S. business or to be an executive, supervisor or essential-skills employee of an organization which has made a substantial investment in a U.S. business. |
E-3 VISA
For temporary workers in a specialty occupation (Australian nationals only).
|
To work in a "specialty occupation." i.e. an occupation requiring the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge which requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation. |
F-1 VISA
Student visa.
|
To study at an academic (non-vocational) institution (high school, college, university, or language school). |
H-1B VISA
For temporary workers in a specialty occupation.
|
To work in a "specialty occupation." i.e. an occupation requiring the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialized knowledge which requires a minimum of a bachelor's degree for entry into the occupation. |
H-3 VISA
Temporary Trainee.
|
To enter U.S. temporarily to participate in a formal company training program. |
J-1 VISA
Exchange visitor.
|
Temporary visitor to give or receive training or to participate in approved exchange visitor program to teach, study, observe, conduct research, consult, or demonstrate special skills. |
L-1A/L-1B VISA
For intra-company transferee, including transfers to subsidiaries or affiliates.
|
To work as an executive, manager, or worker with specialized knowledge in a parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or representative office in the U.S. |
O VISA
For aliens with extraordinary ability.
|
To work in the United States in the alien's area of extraordinary ability |
P VISA
For cultural exchange programs.
|
To participate in an international cultural exchange program that allows employment authorization. |
TN VISA
For Canadians and Mexicans.
|
To engage in business activities at a professional level. |
