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Last Updated: May 22, 2022

American Visa Types

The US is one of the most popular destinations for both tourists and immigrants alike. People travel to this place either for higher education or for the employment opportunities that the country provides. Those who are not residents of the country will most often have to get a visa based on the purpose of their visit and their nationality.

The visas provided by the US will be in the form of a stamp which will be present on the passport of the candidate. While candidates from most countries will require a visa, there are a few visa waiver countries whose citizens will only require an ESTA that is issued by the US Customs and Borders Protection. The visa application procedures in this country are entirely dependent on the category of visa one has applied for and the candidate’s nationality.

Candidates that Do Not Require a US Visa

Candidates from certain countries do not require a visa if they are visiting the country for tourism or business purposes. They will be able to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days only. These countries include- Candidates who are citizens of any of the visa waiver countries will have to have an e-passport with which they will have to get an ESTA. They will also have to prove that they will return to their country before the period is over.

Popular Types of US Visas

The most popular visa categories include student visas, temporary work visas, tourist visas, employer-sponsored visas, and family-sponsored visas. These are all non-immigrant visas that are applied for by foreign nationals.

Student Visas

Candidates who wish to enter the US for educational purposes will have to take either an F visa or an M visa based on the type of institution they are attending. These visas are listed under the non-immigrant category. The Visa Waiver Program will not be applicable for student visas since the duration of the stay will be longer than stipulated and since they will not be traveling to the US as a visitor apart from if they are taking a non-credit course while being a tourist in the country.

The details of the student visas are as follows- The cost of applying for this visa is $160 with additional charges for issuance of the visa based on one’s nationality.

Tourist Visas

Candidates who wish to visit the US for business purposes or for visiting the country will have to take either the B1 visa or the B2 visa. Those who intend to visit as a tourist but also do business will be able to take a B1/B2 visa, as well. This is only if the said candidate does not belong to a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program.

Candidates who come from countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program will only require an ESTA approval that is valid. These candidates will be able to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days after which they will have to return to their own country. The cost of applying for this visa is $160 with additional charges for issuance of the visa based on one’s nationality.

Temporary Work Visas

Candidates who wish to work in the US but are not eligible for an immigrant visa will have to apply for one of the Temporary worker visas that are issued under the non-immigrant category. The visa will have a set duration based on the nature of their profession and the category of the temporary visa they are taking. Temporary worker visas, as the name suggests, are not permanent visas in any way and will have to be renewed by the candidate from time to time before they get expired. This visa can only be applied for by the candidate if their prospective employer has filed a petition with the USCIS.

The visas include- The cost of applying for this visa is $190. Candidates will also have to pay an issuance fee based on their nationality.

Dependent Visas

In most cases, foreign nationals who come to the US as students and scholars will be able to be accompanied by a close relation of theirs. This close relation or their dependent will be the candidate’s spouse or their unmarried child who is below the age of 21. The candidate will be able to apply for their visa along with their visa application. They will also have to pay an additional visa fee for their dependent. The dependent visas issued include-

Employer-Sponsored Visas

The Employer-Sponsored Visas or E visas are provided to those people who are citizens of countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation. The E visas include-

Family-Sponsored Visas

US citizens and permanent residents who can prove that they have substantial assets will be able to bring their immediate families to the country. They will be able to bring their immediate relatives(IR) which include their spouse, child, or parent and they will also be able to bring people based on family preference where the relationship can be distant though these visas are very specific. In such cases, the applicant will have to sponsor the person they are bringing. The visas include-

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of visas issued by the US?

The two main categories of visas issued in the US are called immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Most of the visas that are offered to foreign nationals fall under the non-immigrant visa category which includes student visas, tourist visas, and even temporary work visas.

How are the H1B and H4 visas different?

The H1B visas are for candidates who have a degree in their field of study and wish to work in the US. These candidates will have to get a job offer within their field of expertise to get a visa. On the other hand, the H4 visa is provided to the immediate family of H1B, H2A, H2B, and H3 visa holders. These are dependent visas that will allow people to study in the country and even open a bank account.

Is having a US visa enough to enter the country?

Technically, No. Having a US visa does not guarantee that the candidate will be allowed to enter the country. The visa will allow the candidate to reach the port-of-entry to the US where the Department of Homeland Security US Customs and Border Protection officers will authorize or deny their entry into the country.

What is the time taken for processing a US visa?

The time for processing a US visa depends on the type of visa one has applied for. It is also dependent on the nationality of the candidate. But generally, a non-immigrant visa will be processed between 2 to 4 weeks.

Can one renew their US visa?

While immigrant visas are permanent, non-immigrant visas have to be renewed before the expiry date of the visa if one wishes to stay in the country. For renewing the visa, they will have to apply for the visa from scratch. They will also have to pay the visa fee for the same.


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