U.S. Visa Types
A comprehensive guide to the most common U.S. visa categories for investors, professionals, students, and families.
B-1 Visa
B-1 Business Visitor Visa
Temporary visa for business activities such as meetings, conferences, and contract negotiations in the U.S.
Duration: Up to 6 months per entry, extendable
E-2 Visa
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
Investor visa for nationals of treaty countries who invest a substantial amount of capital in a U.S. business.
Duration: Up to 5 years, renewable indefinitely
F-1 Visa
F-1 Student Visa
Visa for international students enrolled in academic programs at U.S. educational institutions.
Duration: Duration of status (length of academic program)
Green Card
U.S. Permanent Resident Card
Permanent residency in the United States, granting the right to live and work permanently.
Duration: Permanent (renew card every 10 years)
H-1B Visa
H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa
Work visa for professionals in specialty occupations requiring a bachelor's degree or higher.
Duration: 3 years, extendable to 6 years
J-1 Visa
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Visa for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the U.S.
Duration: Varies by category (up to 5 years for research scholars)
K-1 Visa
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa
Visa for foreign fiances of U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. for marriage within 90 days.
Duration: 90 days to marry, then adjust to permanent status
L-1 Visa
L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
Visa for employees transferring from a foreign office to a U.S. office of the same company.
Duration: L-1A: up to 7 years; L-1B: up to 5 years
O-1 Visa
O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in their field.
Duration: Up to 3 years, extendable in 1-year increments
TN Visa
TN NAFTA Professional Visa
Visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens in qualifying professional occupations under USMCA.
Duration: Up to 3 years, renewable indefinitely
EB-5 Visa
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa
Green Card through investment of $800,000 or $1,050,000 in a U.S. commercial enterprise that creates jobs.
Duration: Permanent residency (conditional for first 2 years)
E-1 Visa
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade between their home country and the United States.
Duration: Up to 5 years, renewable indefinitely
EB-1 Visa
EB-1 Extraordinary Ability / Employment First Preference Visa
Employment-based first preference immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, or multinational managers and executives.
Duration: Permanent residency (Green Card)
EB-2 Visa
EB-2 Advanced Degree / National Interest Waiver Visa
Employment-based second preference immigrant visa for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability, including the National Interest Waiver (NIW) pathway.
Duration: Permanent residency (Green Card)
EB-3 Visa
EB-3 Skilled Workers / Professionals Visa
Employment-based third preference immigrant visa for skilled workers with at least two years of experience, professionals with bachelor's degrees, and other workers.
Duration: Permanent residency (Green Card)
H-2A Visa
H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa
Temporary visa for foreign workers performing seasonal or temporary agricultural labor in the United States.
Duration: Up to 1 year, extendable in 1-year increments up to 3 years total
H-2B Visa
H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa
Temporary visa for foreign workers filling non-agricultural positions that are seasonal, peak-load, intermittent, or one-time in nature.
Duration: Up to 1 year, extendable in 1-year increments up to 3 years total
H-4 Visa
H-4 Dependent Visa
Dependent visa for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B, H-2A, H-2B, and H-3 visa holders.
Duration: Same as the principal H visa holder's authorized stay
R-1 Visa
R-1 Religious Worker Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals coming to the United States to work in a religious vocation or occupation for a qualifying religious organization.
Duration: Up to 30 months, extendable to a maximum of 5 years