Educate yourself: Understanding different types US migrant and non-immigrant Visas

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There are different US Visa Types which a person who wants to visit the United States can apply for. In principle, there are two general categories of U.S Visas:

• US Non Immigrant Visa
• US Immigrant Visa

What is a Non immigrant Visa?

The United States legal system defines a non-immigrant USA visa as a temporary stay in the country. This means that you will visit the U.S for a short period of time, for reasons such as tourism, business, and others, but will not stay there permanently.

Those who want to permanently move to the United States to live and work there, need to apply for the U.S Immigrant Visa.

Non immigrant Visa Types

The category of non immigrant US visa has several types. Which type of visa you need to apply for is based on the purpose of your visit, so whether you are going to the U.S for business, as a student, for tourism, or others.

Below is the list of visa types as well as the purpose of visit for each one, which determines the one you should apply for:

• A Visa – Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials. The A visa is for diplomats or foreign government officials who are travelling to the U.S on official duties or representing their government. The only person who can enter the United States for any purpose of the visit is the Head of State or Government such as the President or the Prime Minister, for example.
• A-2 – NATO1-6 Visa. The A-2 NATO1-6 visa is designed only for foreign military personnel who are about to serve or be stationed within the United States.
• B-1 Visa – Temporary Business Visa. The B-1 visa could be granted to those who want to enter the U.S for amateur or professional athletes, domestic employees/nannies or for business purposes such as:
  • Attending conferences or conventions in their field
  • Negotiate contracts
  • Consult with associates
  • Settle estates
• B-2 Visa for Tourism. B-2 visas are given to people for the following reasons:
  • Medical Treatment
  • Tourism and vacations
  • Visits to relatives or friends
  • Enrollment in short non-credit bearing courses (not for official degrees)
  • Participation in music, sport, or social events, if they do not receive payments from them.
• BCC Visa – Border Crossing Card. A BCC visa only applies to Mexican citizens. It is a laminated card which allows Mexican citizens to enter the U.S.
• When it is granted, it is usually valid for 10 years, but you must have a valid Mexican passport to apply for it.
• C Visa – Transit Visa. The C Visa is a US transit visa. This means that you are passing through the U.S, but your final destination is in another location. If you are passing through the U.S, but want to stop for a layover to see friends, family, or visit places, you will not be allowed to do so with a C visa, but will need the appropriate visa for those purposes. People who have a B-type Visa and those whose visa is waived are also allowed to transit through the U.S.
• CW-1 Visa – CNMI Work Visa. Employers from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) can apply for CW-1 visas to be able to employ foreign workers who do not necessarily fit into other employment visa categories.
• The employees who are granted a visa for this purpose are termed as CNMI-only transitional workers.
• D Visa for crew members. The D visa is for crew members who will work on a sea vessel or international airline in the United States and they need the visa to be able to operate within the country.
• E Visas – E1 Treaty Trader and E2 Treaty Investor Visas. The E visas are for those who have treaties of commerce and navigation in the U.S. There are two reasons why you can apply for this visa:
  • Engage in trade of technology or other activities between the U.S and the treaty country.
  • Direct operations of a company in which you have invested capital.
• E-3 Visa – Work Visa for Australian nationals. E-3 visas are only for nationals of Australia who will be working in specialty occupations. If a person from Australia qualifies for an E-3 visa, then so does the spouse and the children; however, for the spouse, a marriage certificate should be presented.
• F and M Visas for students. The F and M visas are for academic and vocational purposes. Depending on your school and your field of study, you will have to get either the F-1 visa or the M-1 visa.
• G1-G5 NATO Visas. If you have been employed in an international organization in the United States, you will need to get a G-1 to G-5 visa. Those who will work for NATO, will get the NATO visa.
• H-1B Visa for employees in highly specialized fields. H-1B visas are for persons who have been employed in highly specialized fields. This means that they have an advanced degree or a job that cannot necessarily be done without having extensive training.
• H-1B1 Visa for Chile and Singapore nationals. Based on the U.S Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Chile and Singapore, the H-1B1 visa allows these nationals to live and work temporarily in the U.S. They can also be accompanied by their spouse and dependent children.
• H-2A Visa for agricultural workers. The H-2A visa is granted to temporary agricultural workers from selected countries in whom the U.S has some type of interest.
• H-2B Visa for temporary non-agricultural workers. Whereas the H-2A is for temporary agricultural workers, the H-2B visa is given to other types of temporary seasonal workers, who do non-agricultural work.
• Similar to the H-2A, it is only granted to individuals if they are of interest to the U.S and only for selected countries.
• H-3 Visa for training oppotunities. The U.S has unique education and training opportunities that might not be found in other countries. For those who want to take advantage of these training and education opportunities which are not counted towards an academic degree, the H-3 visa needs to be obtained.
• I Visa for journalists. The I visa is for representatives of foreign media and journalists part of the press, film, radio, or print industries, who are visiting the U.S to work or participate in educational media activities.
• J Visa for exchange visitors. The J visa is targeted to exchange visitors. These include:
  • Au pairs
  • Temporary Scholars
  • Teachers and Professors
  • Students
  • Interns and Summer Work and Travel
• L Visa – Intracompany Transferee Visa. If the company you work for has a branch in the U.S and you want to transfer there, you will need an L1 visa. It is called an intra-company transfer visa, and the condition is that you must have been employed at that company for at least 1 year within the past 3 years.
• O Visa for persons with extraordinary abilities. People who have what is called an extraordinary ability in Arts, Science, Business, Education, or Athletics and want to temporarily work in their field of expertise need an O1 visa. To get this type of visa, these people have to be essential to the provision of services in their area of expertise.
• P Visa for athletes, entertainers and artists. There are three types of P visas:
  • P-1 – is for individual or team athletes or members of entertainment groups
  • P-2 – is for artists of entertainers that will perform in the U.S as individuals or in a group
  • P-3 – is for artists and entertainers who will perform, teach, or coach in the U.S. as individuals or in a group
• Q Visa for cultural exchange program. Q Visas are for people who are visiting the U.S as part of an international cultural exchange program. This means that they will share their history, culture, and tradition in the U.S.
• This visa is also for those who will do some type of practical training and employment within the U.S.
• R Visa for temporary religious workers. Temporary Religious Workers who want to practice within the U.S in religious capacities need to get the R visa type.
• T Visa for victims of human trafficking. T visas are for victims of human trafficking who have severe trauma, but can also assist in investigating crimes related to human trafficking.
• TN/TD Visas for Canada and Mexico citizens who work in NAFTA. TN/TD visas are for citizens of Canada or Mexico who will be working in the NAFTA organization. The visa is not for permanent residents of Canada or Mexico.
• V Visa for family unity. The V visa allows families who are in the process of waiting for the completion of their immigration process, to be reunited with their family in the U.S.
• U Visa for crime victims. Those who have been a victim of certain criminal activities and that can aid in the investigation or prosecution of those criminals, are eligible to apply for the U visa.

The post Educate yourself: Understanding different types US migrant and non-immigrant Visas appeared first on Kenya Satellite News Network.

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