B2 Tourist Visas

The B-2 Tourism Visa is intended for people who wish to come to the United States to enjoy themselves for a limited period of time. Activities permissible under a B-2 visa are limited to:

• Tourism
• Vacation
• Visiting with friends and/or relatives
• Medical treatment
• Participation in social events held by fraternal, social, or service organizations
• Participation in amateur athletics and entertainment events where the visa holder is not paid to participate
• Enrolment in a short educational course that does not confer credit towards a degree

Individuals in the United States on a B-2 Tourist Visa are prohibited from:

• Study to advance a degree
• Employment
• Paid performances including any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, radio, or film journalist, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

B1 Business Visas

The B-1 Business Visa is intended for people to conduct minor business matters including:

• Consultation with business associates
• Attending scientific, education, profession, or business conventions or conferences
• Settling estates
• Negotiating contracts

Individuals in the United States on a B-1 Business Visa are prohibited from:

• Study to advance a degree
• Employment
• Paid performances including any professional performance before a paying audience
• Arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
• Work as foreign press, radio, or film journalist, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

C-1 Transit Visa

The C-1 Transit Visa is intended for use by individuals who are travelling through the United States to a destination outside the United States. The following forms of travel are PERMITTED with a C-1 Visa:

• A foreign citizen travelling to another destination who has a brief layover in the United States for whom the only reason for entering the United States is to transit through.
• A passenger embarking from a foreign port on a cruise ship or other vessel that is destined for a country other than the United States that makes port in the United States with no intention of landing.
• A crewmember travelling to the United States as a passenger to join a ship or aircraft you will work on. Note, you will also need a Class D Crewmember Visa and these are often issued jointly as a C-1/D.

The following types of travel are expressly FORBIDDEN on a C-1 Visa:

• A foreign citizen whose layover in the United States is for a primary purpose other than transit, such as visiting friends or sightseeing. This requires a Class B Visitor Visa.
• A coasting officer seeking entry to the United States requires a Class B Visitor Visa
• A crewmember on a private yacht that will be sailing in U. S. waters for more than 29 days is required to have a Class B Visitor Visa
• An officer or employee of a designated international organization assigned to the United States may pass in immediate and continuous transit through the United States on a G-4 Visa.

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

Visa Waiver

Citizens of participating countries* are eligible to travel within the United States for up to 90 days if they meet all of the following:

• Travel must meet the requirements for a B Vistior Visa
• If traveling for business, the business activities must be limited to:
  • Consulting with business associates
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Attending scientific, education, professional, or business conventions or conferences
  • Attending short-term training where you are not paid by any source in the United States for anything but incidental expenses
  • If traveling for pleasure, activities are restricted to:
    • Tourism
    • Vacation
    • Visiting friends and/or relatives
    • Medical treatment
    • Participation in social events held by fraternal, social, or service organizations
    • Participation in amateur sports or entertainment events or contests—provided the traveller is not being paid to participate
    • Enrolment in a short recreational course of study that is not for credit towards a degree

The following are not permitted on the Visa Waiver Program:

• Study for credit
• Employment
• Work as foreign press, radio, or film journalists, or other information media
• Permanent residence in the United States

*Participating countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom. To apply, visit: https://www.official-esta.com/

H-1B Temporary Work Visa 

The H-1B visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The H1-B Temporary Work Visa applies to individuals who work in a specialty occupation, defined as something that requires a higher educational degree or the equivalent. Examples would include fashion models of distinction, individuals involved in government-to-government research, or co-production projects administered by the Department of Defense.

If more than 15% of an employer’s employees are in the United States on H-1B visas, the employer will be considered to be H-1B dependent, and will be required to recruit U. S. workers “in good faith.”

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

H-1B1

There is a sub category of H1-B Visas called an H-1B1 Free Trade Agreement Professional that applies only to applicants from Chile or Singapore. These visas are exempted from the petition rules so an applicant may apply without a prospective employer’s petition.

The applicant must be a professional occupation that requires a secondary degree of at least four years’ study.

H2-B Temporary Work Visa

The O-1 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The H-2B Temporary Work Visa is intended for temporary or seasonal work that is NOT agricultural in nature. This visa is limited to citizens or nationals of designated countries, though there are exceptions if determined to be in the interested of the United States.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

L-1 Intra Company Transfer

The L-1 Visa is a temporary employment visa intended to allow intra company transfers. As a temporary employment visa, the L-1 requires that the company file a petition before the individual applies for a visa. The individual must have been employed by the petitioning employer for one year in the previous three years, and must be entering the US to work at a branch, parent, affiliate, or subsidiary of the current employer in an executive, supervisory, or specialized capacity.

To qualify as an executive, the individual must:

• Direct the management of a major component or function of the organization
• Establish the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function
• Exercise wide latitude in decision-making
• Receive general, non-specific direction from higher ranking executives, the board of directors, or stockholders.

To qualify as a manager, the individual must:

• Manage some defined portion of the organization
• Manage other employees who are themselves in a managerial, supervisory, or professional capacity, or manage an essential function
• Possess the authority to hire and fire and perform other personnel actions such as promotions and leave authorizations.
• If no employees are managed, the individual must function at a senior level within the organization in respect to the function managed.
• Exercise discretion over the day to day operations of the area over which the employee has authority.

To qualify as a specialized knowledge transferee, the individual must:

• Possess intimate knowledge of the company, its products, and how they apply in international markets or,
• Possess an advanced knowledge of the company, its policies, and procedures.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

The O-1 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

This visa category is intended to allow those who have achieved acclaim in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or entertainment, to work in their field of expertise.

Individuals providing essential support to those with extraordinary abilities are also considered under this visa category.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.
• To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:
• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

P-1 Individual or Team Athlete, or Member of an Entertainment Group Visa

The P-1 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The P-1 visa category is intended for athletes or entertainers who wish to perform at a specific competition or event.

Individuals who provide essential support to the athlete or entertainer may also be considered under this category.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

P-2 Artist or Entertainer (Individual or Group)

The P-2 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The P-2 visa category is intended for athletes or entertainers who wish to perform under a reciprocal exchange program between the United States and an organization in their home country.

Individuals who provide essential support to the athlete or entertainer may also be considered under this category.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

P-3 Artist or Entertainer 

The P-3 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The P-3 visa category is intended for artists or entertainers who wish to perform, teach, or coach a culturally unique or traditional ethnic musical, theatrical, or performance art.

Individuals who provide essential support to the athlete or entertainer may also be considered under this category.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

Q-1 Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program

The Q-1 visa is one of a number of visas categorized as temporary employment visas. These visas require that the prospective US employer to file a petition with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. This petition must be approved before the worker may apply for the Temporary Work Visa.

The Q-1 visa category is intended for those who wish to pursue practical training and employment while sharing the history, culture, and traditions of their homeland through a cultural exchange program.

To apply, one must first have the prospective employer petition and receive approval from the USCIS, then:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

R-1 Religious Worker

The R-1 visa is intended for temporary religious workers who meet the following criteria:

• The individual must be a member of the same religious denomination as the religious organization you plan to work for in the United States for at least two years before the organization files a petition on your behalf
• The individual must be coming to the United States to work as a minister or in a religious vocation or occupation
• The individual must be employed by a non-profit religious organization or an organization affiliated with the religious denomination in the United States
• The individual must work at least part-time

Some ministerial activities can be performed on a Visitor visa. These activities are limited to:

• Private worship, prayer, and informal religious study
• Attendance at religious services or conferences
• An evangelical tour that does not include appointments at specific churches
• Missionary or volunteer service
• Any wages paid must be paid by a religious group outside the United States

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $205.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

I Media Visa

The Class I Media visa is intended for members of the working media with the following specifics:

• An employee of foreign information media or of an independent production company having a credential issues by a professional journalistic association who is engaged in filming a news even or documentary
• A member of the media engaged in the production or distribution of film, if the material being filmed will be used to disseminate information, news, or educational materials. Please note the primary source and distribution of funding must be from outside the United States.
• A journalist working under contract with a credential issued by a professional journalistic organization, working on a product to disseminate information or news that is not intended for commercial entertainment or advertising
• A foreign journalist working for an overseas branch office or subsidiary of a U. S. network, newspaper, or other media outlet, travelling in the United States to report on U. S. events solely for a foreign audience.
• An accredited representative of a tourist bureau controlled or operated in whole or in part by a foreign government, engaged in disseminating factual tourist information about their home country who is not qualified for an A-2 Visa as a foreign government official or employee
• An employee or an organization that distributes technical industrial information who will work in the U. S. office of that organization.

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

Investor Visas

There are two kinds of investor visa, the E1 Trader Visa and the E2 Investor Visa. They were established for similar but distinct reasons, thus they have similar but distinct requirements.

The requirements for an E1 Trader Visa are as follows:

• The person applying for the visa must be a resident of a treaty country.
• The trading firm for which the applicant does business must be owned primarily (50% or more) by individuals of the same nationality.
• There must be a sizeable and continuing volume of trade.
• More than half of the trade conducted must be between the US and the treaty country.
• Trade is defined as the international exchange of goods, services, or technology. The title to the goods must pass from one party to another.
• The applicant must be an essential employee, employed in a supervisory or executive capacity, or possess highly specialized skills. Ordinary skilled or unskilled workers do not qualify.

The requirements for an E2 Investor Visa are as follows:

• The investor—not the applicant—must have citizenship in a treaty country or be primarily (50% or more) owned by individuals who have citizenship in the treaty country.
• The funds invested must be committed, irrevocable, and sufficient to ensure the successful operation of the enterprise.
• The investment must be made in a real operating enterprise. Paper organizations and speculative investments do not qualify.
• Uncommitted funds in a bank account, or similar security are not considered an investment.
• The income generated must either be substantial enough to support more than the applicant’s family, or have a significant economic impact in the United States.
• The applicant must have control of the funds and the funds must be at risk in the commercial sense. Loans secured by assets are not considered investments.

The applicant must be coming to the US to develop and direct the enterprise. If the applicant is not the principal investor, he or she must be considered an essential employee, employed in a supervisory, executive, or highly skilled capacity.
To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $315.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

F-1 Student Visa

The F-1 Student Visa is intended for students in University programs, High School, Private elementary schools, Seminaries, Conservatories, and other educational institutions. It is not intended for vocational or non academic training as those are covered under Visa Category M.

An individual travelling under a Class B Visa, or under the Visa Waiver Program may not participate in academic study.

To apply for a student visa, one must first receive an acceptance at an SEVP approved school. The SEVP is the Student and Exchange Visitor Program and you can search their list of approved schools.

Once you have received your acceptance to the school of your choice, you will be entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and pay the appropriate fee. You will receive a Form I-20 which you will have to present to the consular official at your interview. If you are bringing family, each individual will require a separate Form I-20.

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

J-1 Exchange Visitor 

The J-1 Exchange Visa category is intended to cover individuals participating in a number of different cultural exchanges including:

• Serving as an au pair or intern
• Attending a secondary school, college or university as a student
• A government visitor
• Physicians
• Professors and research scholars
• Short term scholars (limited to six months with no extensions permissible)
• Specialist (maximum duration of one year)
• Summer work and travel
• Teacher
• Trainee (maximum 18 months, agriculture programs limited to 12 months, hospitality training programs limited to 12 months and required to have three or more departmental rotations)

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.

M-1 Vocational or other recognized non academic institution Visa

The Class M visa is intended for those individuals who are travelling to the United States to seek training that is vocational and non-academic in nature.

To apply, you must:

• Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160
• The form will require that you upload a photo meeting USCIS requirements
• Print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview
• If you are older than 13 and less than 80, you will likely need to schedule an interview at the U. S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or citizenship.
• If you are 13 or under, or 80 or over, you will not generally be required to attend an interview, but consular officers have discretion in these matters.
• Pay a non-refundable visa application fee of $185.
• If your visa is granted, there may be an addition visa issuing fee depending on your nationality.