Visa Types

There are several types of visas for temporary visitors to the U.S. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see the Visa Types for Temporary Visitors page on the U.S. State Department Web site. Basic categories of non-immigrant visas include:

• Business and Tourism
• Exchange Programs
• Students or Training
• Summer Work and Travel 
• Work Visas
• Diplomatic and Official
• Treaty Traders
• Information Media
• Crew and Transit
• Domestic Employees
• Religious Workers
• Intra Company Transfer
• Fiancees Visas
• Drop Box

Applicants for temporary visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.

The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for most types of visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

• The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
• That they plan to remain for a limited period of time;
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
• That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit. There is no specific list of criteria that constitutes binding ties, and it is up to each applicant to explain what those ties. Binding ties generally refer to family, social, economic, and other ties.