Visa

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Immigration in the U.S.
DACA and DAPA
Admission of refugees
Birthright citizenship

A U.S. visa is a type of documentation issued to both immigrant and nonimmigrant travelers to the United States that displays identifying information and indicates the reason for the visit. The issuance of a visa does not automatically guarantee someone entry into the United States; at the point of entry, an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection evaluates the individual's visa and other documents and decides whether or not to allow entry. Citizens from 38 countries traveling temporarily to the United States are not required to obtain a nonimmigrant visa before entering the country.

Process

Petition

The process for most immigrant visas and for nonimmigrant temporary worker visas begins with a petition filed on the individual's behalf by an employer sponsor or family sponsor. Visitors, those traveling for short-term business, and students do not need a sponsor to file a petition on their behalf. For visas requiring a petition, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) must approve the petition before the individual may apply for a visa.

Application

If USCIS approves the petition, the U.S. Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) begins processing the potential immigrant's case, which involves the initial collection of fees, forms, and documents from sponsors and applicants. During this step, called pre-processing by the State Department, visa applicants choose an agent to represent them and receive communication from the NVC; applicants can act as their own agents. Applicants then submit their visa applications and pay the associated processing fees. Supporting financial and civil documents from both sponsors and applicants are then also submitted to the NVC.

Since visitors, those traveling for short-term business, and students do not have to submit a petition, their visa process begins with the submission of the application and fees.

Interview

If the NVC determines that the applicant is qualified, an interview is scheduled with the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The NVC forwards the documents collected during pre-processing to U.S. Embassies & Consulates. Fingerprints are typically taken during the interview, and for immigrant visa applicants, a medical examination is typically required. The purpose of the interview is for a consular officer to determine whether the applicant is qualified to receive a visa and which visa classification is appropriate. Consular officers inform applicants of their decision at the end of the interview.

Approval or denial

If a visa is awarded, the individual is not guaranteed entry into the United States; at the point of entry, an officer with U.S. Customs and Border Protection evaluates the individual's visa and other documents and decides whether or not to allow entry. A visa may be denied for health, criminal, or security reasons. If a visa is denied, the deciding consular officer must inform the applicant of the reason for the denial or ineligibility. Some individuals who have been deemed ineligible for entry may submit a request to the attorney general's office that the decision be reconsidered. Reasons the attorney general may reverse a decision of inadmissibility include humanitarian reasons or family unity.

Special provisions

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda

Most citizens from Canada traveling to the United States on a temporary basis do not need to acquire a visa. Canadian citizens who do need to acquire a visa include the following:

• officials representing foreign governments, international organizations, and NATO
• individuals from countries involved in a commerce treaty with the United States who (1) engage in substantial trade between the two countries, or (2) are investors in companies that engage in such trade
• individuals applying for permanent residency
• intelligence informants

In addition, some Canadian professionals involved in business activities under NAFTA must also acquire a NAFTA Professional visa only if they reside in a third country with a non-Canadian spouse and plan to enter the United States with a family member.

Most citizens of Bermuda do not need to acquire a visa to enter the United States as long as their length of travel is shorter than 180 days. Citizens of Bermuda who do need to acquire a visa include the following:

• officials representing foreign governments or international organizations
• individuals applying for permanent residency
• intelligence informants

Visa Waiver Program

Under the Visa Waiver Program, most citizens from 38 countries who are traveling temporarily to the United States are not required to obtain a nonimmigrant visa before entering the country. They still must obtain prior electronic authorization, however. Citizens of the following countries are eligible for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program:

• 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
• Norway
• Portugal
• San Marino
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Taiwan
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand

Types of visa

Example of a United States visitor visa

According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, as of 2009 there were over 200 classifications of visas. Visa classifications are divided into nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas. For both types, the most common reasons for visa eligibility are for employment in the United States or for family of citizens, permanent residents, or guest workers.

Nonimmigrant visas

Nonimmigrant visas are issued for individuals traveling temporarily to the United States for purposes such as tourism, education, or employment. Some of the more well-known nonimmigrant visas include those for guest workers, such as H1B for skilled professionals and H2A for temporary agricultural workers. Click [show] on the table below to view a list of the various classifications of nonimmigrant visas.

Nonimmigrant visa classifications
Classification	Description
A1	Ambassador, Public Minister, Career Diplomat or Consular Officer, or Immediate Family.
A2	Other Foreign Government Official or Employee, or Immediate Family.
A3	Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of A1 or A2, or Immediate Family.
B1	Temporary Visitor for Business.
B2	Temporary Visitor for Pleasure.
B1/B2	Temporary Visitor for Business & Pleasure.
C1	Alien in Transit
C1/D	Combined Transit and Crewmember Visa.
C2	Alien in Transit to United Nations Headquarters District Under Sec. 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement.
C3	Foreign Government Official, Immediate Family, Attendant, Servant or Personal Employee, in Transit.
CW1	Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Transitional Worker.
CW2	Spouse or Child of CW1
D	Crewmember (Sea or Air).
E1	Treaty Trader, Spouse or Child.
E2	Treaty Investor, Spouse or Child.
E2C	Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands Investor, Spouse or Child.
E3	Australian Treaty Alien coming to the United States Solely to Perform Services in a Specialty Occupation.
E3D	Spouse or Child of E3
E3R	Returning E3
F1	Student in an academic or language training Program.
F2	Spouse or Child of F1
F3	Canadian or Mexican national commuter student in an academic or language training program.
G1	Principal Resident Representative of Recognized Foreign Government to International Organization, Staff, or Immediate Family.
G2	Other Representative of Recognized Foreign Member Government to International Organization, or Immediate Family.
G3	Representative of Nonrecognized or Nonmember Foreign Government to International Organization, or Immediate Family.
G4	International Organization Officer or Employee, or Immediate Family.
G5	Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of G1 through G4, or Immediate Family.
H1B	Alien in a Specialty Occupation (Profession).
H1B1	Chilean or Singaporean National to Work in a Specialty Occupation.
H1C	Nurse in health professional shortage area.
H2A	Temporary Worker Performing Agricultural Services Unavailable in the United States.
H2B	Temporary Worker Performing Other Services Unavailable in the United States.
H3	Trainee
H4	Spouse or Child of Alien Classified H1B/B1/C, H2A/B, or H-3.
I	Representative of Foreign Information Media, Spouse and Child.
J1	Exchange Visitor
J2	Spouse or Child of J1
K1	Fiance(e) of United States Citizen.
K2	Child of Fiance(e) of U.S. Citizen.
K3	Spouse of U.S. citizen awaiting availability of immigrant visa.
K4	Child of K
L1	Intracompany Transferee (Executive, Managerial, and Specialized Knowledge Personnel Continuing Employment with International Firm or Corporation).
L2	Spouse or Child of Intracompany Transferee.
M1	Vocational Student or Other Nonacademic Student.
M2	Spouse or Child of M1
M3	Canadian or Mexican national commuter student (Vocational student or other nonacademic student).
N8	Parent of an Alien Classified SK3 or SN3.
N9	Child of N8 or of SK1, SK2, SK4, SN1, SN2 or SN4.
NATO 1	Pincipal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO (including any of its Subsidiary Bodies) Resident in the U.S. and Resident Members of Official Staff; Secretary General, Assistant Secretaries General, and Executive Secretary of NATO; Other Permanent NATO Officials of Similar Rank, or Immediate Family.
NATO 2	Other Representative of member state to NATO (including any of its Subsidiary Bodies) including Representatives, Advisers, and Technical Experts of Delegations, or Immediate Family; Dependents of Member of a Force Entering in Accordance with the Provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces Agreement or in Accordance with the provisions of the “Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters”; Members of Such a Force if Issued Visas.
NATO 3	Official Clerical Staff Accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO (including any of its Subsidiary Bodies), or Immediate Family.
NATO 4	Official of NATO (Other Than Those Classifiable as NATO1), or Immediate Family.
NATO 5	Experts, Other Than NATO Officials Classifiable Under NATO4, Employed in Missions on Behalf of NATO, and their Dependents.
NATO 6	Member of a Civilian Component Accompanying a Force Entering in Accordance with the Provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces Agreement; Member of a Civilian Component Attached to or Employed by an Allied Headquarters Under the “Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters” Set Up Pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their Dependents.
NATO 7	Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of NATO1, NATO2, NATO 3, NATO4, NATO5, and NATO6 Classes, or Immediate Family.
O1	Alien with Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics.
O2	Alien Accompanying and Assisting in the Artistic or Athletic Performance by O1.
O3	Spouse or Child of O1 or O2.
P1	Internationally Recognized Athlete or Member of Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group.
P2	Artist or Entertainer in a Reciprocal Exchange Program.
P3	Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program.
P4	Spouse or Child of P1, P2, or P3.
Q1	Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program.
R1	Alien in a Religious Occupation.
R2	Spouse or Child of R1
S5	Certain Aliens Supplying Critical Information Relating to a Criminal Organization or Enterprise.
S6	Certain Aliens Supplying Critical Information Relating to Terrorism.
S7	Qualified Family Member of S5 or S6.
T1	Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons.
T2	Spouse of T1
T3	Child of T1
T4	Parent of T1
T5	Unmarried Sibling under age 18 of T1. as amended by sec. 201(a) of Pub. L. 110-457.
TN	NAFTA Professional
TD	Spouse or Child of NAFTA Professional.
U1	Victim of criminal activity.
U2	Spouse of U1
U3	Child of U1
U4	Parent of U1 under 21 years of age.
U5	Unmarried Sibling under age 18 of U1 under 21 years of age.
V1	Spouse of a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien Awaiting Availability of Immigrant Visa.
V2	Child of a Lawful Permanent Resident Alien Awaiting Availability of Immigrant Visa.
V3	Child of a V1 or V2
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Visas: Documentation of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants--Visa Classification Symbols"

Immigrant visas

Immigrant visas are issued for individuals traveling to live and work permanently in the United States. Common immigrant visas include IR1 and IR2 for spouses and children of U.S. citizens. The next-most common immigrant visas are awarded based on systems of family-based and employment-based preference categories. The preference system is a method of distributing the limited number of visas awarded each year, with more visas available for the more highly preferred categories. Click [show] on the table below to view a list of the various classifications of immigrant visas.

Immigrant visa classifications
Classification	Description
IR1	Spouse of U.S. Citizen
IR2	Child of U.S. Citizen
IR3	Orphan Adopted Abroad By U.S. Citizen.
IH3	Child from Hague Convention Country Adopted Abroad by U.S. Citizen.
IR4	Orphan to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen.
IH4	Child from Hague Convention Country to be Adopted in U.S. by U.S. Citizen.
IR5	Parent of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age.
CR1	Spouse of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status).
CR2	Child of U.S. Citizen (Conditional Status).
IW1	Certain Spouses of Deceased U.S. Citizens.
IW2	Child of IW1
IB1	Self-petition Spouse of U.S. Citizen.
IB2	Self-petition child of U.S. Citizen.
IB3	Child of IB1
VI5	Parent of U.S. Citizen Who Acquired Permanent the Virgin Islands Resident Status Under Nonimmigrant Alien Virgin Islands Nonimmigrant Alien Adjustment Act.
Vietnam Amerasian Immigrants
AM1	Vietnam Amerasian Principal.
AM2	Spouse or Child of AM1
AM3	Natural Mother of AM1 (and Spouse or Child of Such Mother) or Person Who has Acted Mother, Father, or Next-of- Kin of AM1 and Spouse or Child of Such Person).
Special Immigrants
SB1	Returning Resident
SC1	Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Marriage.
SC2	Person Who Lost U.S. Citizenship by Serving in Foreign Armed Forces.
SI1	Certain Aliens Employed by the U.S. Government in Iraq or Afghanistan aTranslators or Interpreters.
SI2	Spouse of SI1
SI3	Child of SI1
SM1	Alien Recruited Outside the United States Who Has Served or is Enlisted to Serve in the U.S. Armed Forces for 12 Years.
SM2	Spouse of SM1
SM3	Child of SM1
SQ1	Certain Iraqis or Afghans Employed by or on Behalf of the U.S. Government.
SQ2	Spouse of SQ1
SQ3	Child of SQ1
SU2	Spouse of U1
SU3	Child of U1
SU5	Parent of U1
Family-Sponsored Preferences
Family 1st Preference
F11	Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen.
F12	Child of F11
B11	Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen.
B12	Child of B11
Family 2nd Preference (Subject to Country Limitations)
F21	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident.
F22	Child of Lawful Permanent Resident.
F23	Child of F21 or F22
F24	Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident.
F25	Child of F24
C21	Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional).
C22	Child of Alien Resident (Conditional)
C23	Child of C21 or C22 (Conditional)
C24	Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident (Conditional).
C25	Child of F24 (Conditional)
B21	Self-petition Spouse of Lawful Permanent Resident.
B22	Self-petition Child of Lawful Permanent Resident.
B23	Child of B21 or B22
B24	Self-petition Unmarried Son or Daughter of Lawful Permanent Resident.
B25	Child of B24.
Family 3rd Preference
F31	Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen.
F32	Spouse of F31
F33	Child of F31
C31	Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen (Conditional).
C32	Spouse of C31 (Conditional)
C33	Child of C31 (Conditional)
B31	Self-petition Married Son or Daughter of U.S. Citizen.
B32	Spouse of B31
B33	Child of B31
Family 4th Preference
F41	Brother or Sister of U.S. Citizen at Least 21 Years of Age.
F42	Spouse of F41
F43	Child of F41
Employment-Based Preferences
Employment 1st Preference (Priority Workers)
E11	Alien with Extraordinary Ability.
E12	Outstanding Professor or Researcher.
E13	Multinational Executive or Manager.
E14	Spouse of E11, E12, or E13
E15	Child of E11, E12, or E13.
Employment 2nd Preference (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability)
E21	Professional Holding Advanced Degree or Alien of Exceptional Ability.
E22	Spouse of E21
E23	Child of E21
Employment 3rd Preference (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)
E31	Skilled Worker
E32	Professional Holding Baccalaureate Degree.
E34	Spouse of E31 or E32
E35	Child of E31 or E32
EW3	Other Worker (Subgroup Numerical Limit).
EW4	Spouse of EW3
EW5	Child of EW3
Employment 4th Preference (Certain Special Immigrants)
BC1	Broadcaster in the U.S. employed by the International Broadcasting Bureau of the Broadcasting Board of Governors or a grantee of such organization.
BC2	Accompanying spouse of BC1.
BC3	Accompanying child of BC1.
SD1	Minister of Religion
SD2	Spouse of SD1
SD3	Child of SD1
SE1	Certain Employees or Former Employees of the U.S. Government Abroad.
SE2	Spouse of SE1
SE3	Child of SE1
SF1	Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government.
SF2	Spouse or Child of SF1
SG1	Certain Former Employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone.
SG2	Spouse or Child of SG1
SH1	Certain Former Employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government on April 1, 1979.
SH2	Spouse or Child of SH1
SJ1	Certain Foreign Medical Graduates (Adjustments Only).
SJ2	Accompanying Spouse or Child of SJ1.
SK1	Certain Retired International Organization employees.
SK2	Spouse of SK1
SK3	Certain Unmarried Sons or Daughters of an International Organization Employee.
SK4	Certain Surviving Spouses of a deceased International Organization Employee.
SL1	Juvenile Court Dependent(Adjustment Only).
SN1	Certain retired NATO6 Civilians.
SN2	Spouse of SN1
SN3	Certain unmarried sons or daughters of NATO6 civilian employees.
SN4	Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO6 civilian employees.
SP	Alien Beneficiary of a petition or labor certification application filed prior to September 11, 2001, if the petition or application was rendered void due to a terrorist act of September 11, 2001. Spouse, child of such alien, or the grandparent of a child orphaned by a terrorist act of September 11, 2001.
SR1	Certain Religious Workers.
SR2	Spouse of SR1
SR3	Child of SR1
Employment 5th Preference (Employment Creation Conditional Status)
C51	Employment Creation OUTSIDE Targeted Areas.
C52	Spouse of C51
C53	Child of C51
T51	Employment Creation IN Targeted Rural/High Unemployment Area.
T52	Spouse of T51
T53	Child of T51
R51	Investor Pilot Program, Not in Targeted Area.
R52	Spouse of R51
R53	Child of R51
I51	Investor Pilot Program, In Targeted Area.
I52	Spouse of I51
I53	Child of I51
Other Numerically Limited Categories Diversity Immigrants
DV1	Diversity Immigrant
DV2	Spouse of DV1
DV3	Child of DV1
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Visas: Documentation of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants--Visa Classification Symbols"

Statistics

The following table presents data from the U.S. Department of State on the number of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas issued between 2012 and 2016. Data on specific nonimmigrant visa categories and the number of nonimmigrant visas issued in 2016 were not available.

Number of visas issued, 2012-2016
	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Immigrant categories
Immediate relatives	235,616	205,435	185,130	243,432	315,352
Special immigrants	5,219	6,424	12,084	9,468	16,176
Vietnam Amerasian immigrants	75	12	13	13	6
Family sponsored preference	189,128	189,020	197,760	208,840	215,498
Employment-based preference	19,137	21,144	21,365	21,613	25,056
Diversity immigrants	33,125	51,080	51,018	48,097	45,664
Total	482,300	473,115	467,370	531,463	617,752
Nonimmigrant categories
Total	8,927,090	9,164,349	9,932,480	10,891,745	N/A
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, "Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas Issued at Foreign Service Posts, Fiscal Years 2012 - 2016"

See also

• 

  Immigration in the U.S.

• 

  Immigration policy under the Trump administration

• 

  115th Congress on immigration