This page provides you with information and directions necessary to enter the U.S. temporarily. To learn if you are eligible to enter the U.S. on a temporary basis, please see General Requirements for
Temporary Visitors.
There are several types of Temporary Visitors listed below. Please click on the type that applies to you:
Business or Pleasure Visitors
Temporary Workers
Students Attending U.S. Schools
Exchange Visitors
Foreign National Entering the U.S. as
the Fiancé (e) of a U.S. Citizen
NAFTA Professionals
K Nonimmigrant visas (LIFE Act)
T Nonimmigrant visas
(VTVPA)
V Nonimmigrant visas (LIFE ACT)
Additional Information and helpful links:
Visa Ineligibility/Waiver
Extension of Stay in U.S.
Changes of Nonimmigrant
Status
Forms &
Fees
Department of State Visa
Services Website (For information on Visa Application Procedures)
Visa Ineligibility/Waiver
The Department of State nonimmigrant visa application Form
OF-156 lists classes of people who are ineligible under U.S.
law to receive visas because they are inadmissable. In some instances an applicant who is inadmissable, but who is otherwise properly classifiable as a temporary visitor,
may apply for a waiver of inadmissibility and be issued a visa if
the waiver is approved. Click here to visit the Department of State website.
General Requirements for Temporary Visitors
A nonimmigrant is a foreign national seeking to enter the United States (U.S.) temporarily for a specific purpose. Nonimmigrants
enter the U.S. for a temporary period of time, and once in the
U.S. are restricted to the activity or reason for which their
visa was issued. They may have more than one type of nonimmigrant visa but are admitted in only one status.
General requirements for foreign nationals seeking temporary admission
include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The purpose of the visit must be temporary;
- The foreign national must agree to depart at the end of his/her authorized stay or extension;
- The foreign national must be in possession
of a valid passport;
- A foreign residence must be maintained by
the foreign national, in most instances;
- The foreign national may be required to show
proof of financial support;
- The foreign national must be admissable or have obtained a waiver for any ground of inadmissability;
- The foreign national must abide by the terms and conditions of admission.
To find out more about the specific requirements
for the various types of temporary benefits select one of the following.
Business or Pleasure Visitors
Temporary Workers
Students Attending U.S. Schools
Exchange Visitors
Foreign National Entering the U.S. as
the Fiancé (e) of a U.S. Citizen
NAFTA Professionals
Extension of Stay in U. S.
A foreign national may apply for an extension of a temporary stay
if:
- He/she is lawfully admitted into the United
States as a nonimmigrant in a category that is not ineligible for an extension, and
- He/she has not committed any act which
would make him/her ineligible for an extension, and
- He/she submits the application for an
extension of stay before the current authorized stay expires.
For more information on Application Procedures
for Extension of Stay in the U.S., please see How Do I Extend My
Stay in the U.S.?
Changes of Nonimmigrant Status
If you are a Nonimmigrant you may qualify for a change of
nonimmigrant status if you are:
- lawfully maintaining your present nonimmigrant
status in a category that is not ineligible for a change in status;
- eligible according to immigration regulations
for the nonimmigrant status you are requesting; and
- have not violated any law which would keep you
from being granted this benefit.
In addition to the above qualifications,