Temporary Visas

This article provides comprehensive guidelines for the various types of visas. It will help you choose which one aligns with your needs. Below is a fact sheet that lists the temporary visas you can apply for to travel to the United States.

Use the links below to skip to different temporary visa types:

Note: While we strive to provide the most up-to-date information about temporary visas, details like fees are subject to change. Be sure to consult with an immigration attorney or the U.S. Department of State before finalizing your visit to the United States.

Visa Categories for Foreign Government Officials and Diplomats

Foreign government officials and diplomats visiting the U.S. for official activities or duties on behalf of their government should obtain A-1 or A-2 visas. These visas will allow them to conduct official duties in the United States.

An exception applies to the Head of Government or State. They qualify for an A visa regardless of the purpose of their trip.

Note that the individuals' position in their government and the purpose of their travel to the U.S. will determine whether they need an A-1 or A-2 visa. The trip to the U.S. through A-1 or A-2 visas must also be solely for official activities for the government. If the trip is for non-government functions, the person may not qualify for an A visa.

Meanwhile, personal attendants, employees, or domestic workers for government officials or diplomats may receive A-3 visas.

Visas for Tourists and General Business Visitors

B visas are temporary nonimmigrant visas that allow travelers to enter the United States for business, tourism, or medical treatment. On the other hand, if you visit the U.S. for both tourism and business regularly, you may apply for a B1/B2 visa combination.

B1/B2 visas may be valid for up to ten years. It allows the individual to visit the United States for up to 6 months per entry. Note that this visa category does not allow employment or studying in the United States.

Visa for Aliens in Transit

Transit visas are nonimmigrant visas given to people en route to another country while in transit to the United States. The government grants this visa to foreign citizens going to another country while passing through the United States, and the only reason for entering the U.S. is for transit.

The C visa or transit visa is only valid for layover privileges. If your plans go beyond traveling through the United States, such as sightseeing or visiting friends, you'll need a different visa.

Visa for Crewmembers

Crewmember visas are nonimmigrant visas meant for persons working onboard commercial international airlines or vessels in the United States. They arrive with the commercial vessel and intend to leave the U.S. on board the same or different vessel within 29 days from arrival.

Visa for Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors

E visas allow people from certain countries to come to the United States for business. These individuals are nationals of certain countries with special arrangements with the United States. Some of them engage in international trade or commerce.

Individuals granted E visas may only do the type of work approved by their visa. Spouses and children of E visa holders may also acquire E-1 nonimmigrant visas as dependents. If granted, their visas are valid for the same period as that of the treaty trader or employee.

Visa for Academic Students

Individuals who want to study in the United States as full-time students need a student visa. Two nonimmigrant visa categories are available, and authorities know them as F and M visas. F-1 student visas allow the individual to enter the U.S. as a full-time student at an accredited academic institution or in a language training program.

"D/S" or Duration of Status means that the individual granted an F visa can stay in the United States for the length of the academic program. The U.S. Secretary of State gives this recognition, and they do not need to apply for visa extensions.

During the first academic year, F-1 students cannot work off campus. However, they may apply for on-campus employment that meets certain requirements.

After completing the first year of their academic program, F-1 students may apply for off-campus employment. These employments include the following:

1. Optional Practical Training (OPT)
2. Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
3. Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT)

The students may also work off campus for special situations. These cases include special student relief or severe economic hardship.

Visa for Employees of International Organizations

Employees of international organizations in the United States receive G visas. To acquire G visas, the employee must travel to the U.S. to attend meetings, visit, or work at an international organization in the United States.

D/S means that if the United States grants an individual a G visa, they can stay as long as they are a recognized member of the diplomatic category. The U.S. Secretary of State gives this recognition, and they do not need to apply for visa extensions.

Visa for Temporary Workers or Employment-Based Visa

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives nonimmigrant workers a temporary workers' visa if they enter the U.S. for employment. This visa lasts for a fixed period and often requires a petition from an employer.

Temporary workers' visas like H-1B visas and H-2B visas are not permanent. The visas would require the prospective employer to petition the employee. The employer files the petition with USCIS. Upon approval of the petition, the application process for employment authorization starts.

To assist foreign workers, the U.S. Department of Labor is crucial in issuing labor certification. This ensures that U.S. workers will not be adversely protected by the import of labor from other countries.

The U.S. government limits the number of temporary work visa petitions allowed yearly for many work categories. Thus, it is best to stay informed of the recent updates posted by the USCIS.

Visa for Foreign Media Representatives

Visas for media representatives of foreign countries may travel to the United States temporarily to work in their profession. The activities done in the United States while on an I visa should be done for a media organization with a home office outside the United States.

Visa for Exchange Visitors

Individuals joining exchange visitor programs in the United States must secure J visas. The first step of this process is that an individual will apply for an exchange visitor program. This is often done through a sponsoring organization in the United States.

The USCIS website has a list of exchange visitor categories that are included in the program.

Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens

United States citizens who want to bring their foreign fiancé(e) into the U.S. to get married need to file a Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) or Form I-129F. Filing the petition is the first step to obtaining a K-1 visa.

To acquire the K-1 visa, the U.S. citizen and the foreign fiancé(e) should intend to get married in the U.S. within 90 days of arrival. The marriage must be valid, the couple must have seen each other in person within the last two years before filing, and the couple should have a bona fide intention to live as a married couple. It should not be entered into for the mere purpose of gaining immigration benefits.

Visa for Intracompany Transferee

U.S. employers may transfer a manager or executive from one of their foreign offices to its offices in the U.S. through an L-1A nonimmigrant visa. This visa also applies to foreign companies that do not yet have an affiliated U.S. office to send one of its executives or managers to the U.S. to establish a U.S. office.

Visa for Vocational Students

Like F-1 visas, M-1 visas are given to individuals who would like to study in the United States. The only difference is that F-1 visas are given to academic students who enter universities, colleges, or other academic institutions. M-1 visas are for vocational students who enter nonacademic programs other than language training.

N-Visas

N Visas are only issued in exceptional circumstances under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These visas generally apply to employees, representatives, and other personnel directly involved with the operations of NATO.

The USCIS often does not assign a validity period for N-8 or N-9 visas, the same as for nonimmigrant visas. Instead, N visas are immigrant visas meant for the person to live permanently in the United States.

Visa for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Employees and officials of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) working for the organization in the U.S. must secure visas for NATO employees. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of the trip to the United States.

Visa for Workers with Extraordinary Abilities

O-1 visas are given to individuals with specialized knowledge or abilities in arts, athletics, business, education, or sciences. It may also be granted to those who have shown extraordinary achievement in television or motion picture and were recognized internationally or nationally.

Visa for Athletes and Entertainers

P visas are given to athletes and entertainers with internationally recognized reputations coming to the U.S. to join an athletic competition. It may also be given to entertainers coming to the U.S. as members of an internationally recognized entertainment group.

Visa for International Cultural Exchange Visitors

Q visas are nonimmigrant visas given to participants of international cultural exchange programs. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designates these programs. The cultural exchange is done to give practical employment and training to the participants. It also aims to share the participant's culture, history, and traditions with the United States.

Note that after the participants complete the cultural exchange program, they are given 30 days to leave the United States. Then, they must stay at least one year outside of the U.S. before they can apply to the program again.

Visa for Religious Workers

R-1 are nonimmigrant visas given to foreign nationals coming to the U.S. temporarily to work as a minister or for a religious vocation or occupation. To qualify for this visa, the individual should have been a member of the religious organization. The organization should have a bona fide nonprofit branch in the U.S. for at least two years immediately before visa application.

The USCIS may grant R-1 visas with an initial validity of 30 months. The individual may then ask for subsequent extensions of up to 30 months. But, the total period of stay for R-1 visas should not be more than five years or 60 months.

Visa for Witness or Informant

S visas are granted to individuals who assist law enforcement agencies as informants or witnesses. The law enforcement agency may apply for a green card or lawful permanent residence on behalf of the informant.

Visa for Trafficking Victims

Nonimmigrant T visas are given to victims of severe types of human trafficking. This serves as a relief under U.S. immigration laws and allows the victim to stay in the country. The purpose of the visa is for the victim to assist in the prosecution or investigation of violators of human trafficking.

Visa for North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

The TN nonimmigrant visa program allows qualified citizens of Mexico and Canada to enter temporarily in the U.S. to conduct professional business activities. The U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates in these countries often process the issuance of these visas.

Engineers, pharmacists, lawyers, teachers, and scientists are among the professionals allowed to look for admissions as TN nonimmigrants.

Visa for Victims of Certain Crimes

Victims who suffered physical or mental abuse because of criminal activity and have information about certain criminal acts may receive a nonimmigrant visa.

Law enforcement officials should certify that the U-1 visa receiver has been or will help prosecute or investigate criminal activity.

Visa for Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries

U.S. immigration laws allow certain family members of U.S. citizens to become lawful permanent residents of the United States. The visas are given based on the family relationship and level of preference.

Note that this nonimmigrant visa allows family members to stay in the U.S. while waiting for their green cards.

Visa for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

TPS status is given to certain nationals of foreign countries designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security. For these individuals, the adjustment of status may also be possible. These countries are listed because certain conditions temporarily prevent their nationals from returning safely.

The Secretary designates these countries for TPS often due to the following conditions:

• Natural calamity or environmental disaster
• Ongoing armed conflict
• Other temporary and extraordinary conditions

The Secretary of Homeland Security also includes countries that could not appropriately handle their nationals' return.

Visa Application Fees

It is important to remember that visa application fees are subject to change and may often fluctuate. The USCIS or the U.S. Department of State may also periodically adjust the fees. Thus, to get the most accurate information on visa application fees, it is best to check the U.S. Department of State's website or contact the U.S. embassy or U.S. consulate.

Visa Validity and Travel with Expired Passports

Generally, the visa will be valid until its expiration date unless canceled or revoked. Therefore, the U.S. visa will remain valid even with an expired passport. Note that most visas are attached to the page of a passport. Therefore, the individual traveling to the U.S. with a visa must bring the expired passport and the new one when traveling to the United States.

Note that the duration of nonimmigrant or visitor visas would also depend on the reasonable time you need to be in the United States. This applies especially to transit visas, temporary worker visas, and student visas.

The provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act play a crucial role in these visa regulations and renewals. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port of entry can allow or deny admission to the United States.

Seek Legal Advice From An Immigration Law Attorney

Navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration laws can be challenging and overwhelming. Thus, consulting an experienced immigration law attorney is recommended. They can help you understand the crucial rules for ports of entry in the United States. They can also provide legal advice if you want to earn a nonimmigrant status in the U.S.

An immigration law attorney can also guide you through learning about your eligibility for a U.S. visa or naturalization. They can also assess the possible waivers that apply to your case. They can also advise on the visa interview process mandated by the U.S. Department of State. This will ensure that you present your case in the best possible light.