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    • Immigration Classifications and Visa Categories Immigration Classification and Visa Categories Collage
     

    General Information on Visas
    Immigrant Categories
    Other Immigrant Channels

      Nonimmigrant Visas General Information on Nonimmigrant Benefits
      Nonimmigrant Classifications and Visas Government Information
         
      Foreign Government Officials  
    A-1 Ambassador, public minister, career, diplomatic or consular officer, and members of immediate family.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(a)
    A-2 Other foreign government official or employee, and members of immediate family.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(a)
    A-3 Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(a)
         
      Visitors Business or Pleasure Visitors
    Tips for U.S. Visas - Business or Pleasure Visitors
    B-1 Temporary visitor for business  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(B)   8 CFR 214.2(b)
    B-2 Temporary visitor for pleasure  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(B)   8 CFR 214.2(b)
         
      Visa Waiver Program Visa Waiver Program (Immigration.gov)
    Visa Waiver Program (Dept. of State)
         
      Aliens in Transit
    C-1 Alien in transit directly through U.S.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(C)   8 CFR 214.2(c)
    C-1D Combined transit and crewman visa  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) & (D)   8 CFR 214.2(c)
    C-2 Alien in transit to UN headquarters district under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(C)   8 CFR 214.2(c)
    C-3 Foreign government official, members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in transit  
    INA Section 212(d)(8)   8 CFR 214.2(c)
    C-4 Transit without Visa, see TWOV  
    INA Sections 212(d)(3), and 212(d)(5)   8 CFR 212.1(f)
         
      Crewmen  
    D-1 Crewmember departing on same vessel of arrival  
    INA section 101(a)(15)(D)   8 CFR 214.2(d)
    D-2 Crewmember departing by means other than vessel of arrival  
    INA section 101(a)(15)(D)   8 CFR 214.2(d)
         
      Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    E-1 Treaty Trader, spouse and children  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(e)(1)
    E-2 Treaty Investor, spouse and children  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(e)(2)
         
      Academic Students Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
    Information on Student Visas
    How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Students
    Dept. of State: Information on Student Visas
    Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For
    Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
    How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Assistance?
    F-1 Academic Student  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(f)
    F-2 Spouse or child of F-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(f)
         
      For Foreign Medical Graduates (see individual categories H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN, E-2)  
         
      Foreign Government Officials to International Organizations  
    G-1 Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(g)
    G-2 Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(e)(1)
    G-3 Representative of non-recognized or nonmember government to international organization, and members of immediate family  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(G)
    G-4 International organization officer or employee, and members of immediate family  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iv)   8 CFR 214.2(g)
    G-5 Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, or members of immediate family  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(v)   8 CFR 214.2(g)
         
      Temporary Workers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
    H-1B Specialty Occupations, DOD workers, fashion models  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(4)
    H-1C Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(3)
    H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(5)
    H-2B Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(6)
    H-3 Trainee  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(7)
    H-4 Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iv)   8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv)
         
      Foreign Media Representatives Dept. of State: Revalidation of "I" Journalist Visas
    I Visas for foreign media representatives  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(I)   8 CFR 214.2(i)
         
      Exchange Visitors Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
    Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
    How Do I Get a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement if I am an Exchange Visitor
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
    How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
    J-1 Visas for exchange visitors  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(j)
    J-2 Spouse or child of J-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(j)
         
      Fiance(e) of US Citizen  
    K-1 Fiance(e) How Do I Bring My Fiance(e) to the United States?
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Fiance(e)s
    How Do I Change My Fiance(e)'s Status to Lawful Permanent Resident?
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)   8 CFR 214.2(k)
    K-2 Minor child of K-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)   8 CFR 214.2(k)
    K-3 Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act) How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen?
    Dept. of State: The New K and V
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(k)
    K-4 Child of K-3 (LIFE Act)  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(k)
         
      Intracompany Transferee Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    L-1A Executive, managerial  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(L)   8 CFR 214.2(l)
    L-1B Specialized knowledge  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(L)   8 CFR 214.2(l)
    L-2 Spouse or child of L-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(L)   8 CFR 214.2(l)
         
      Vocational and Language Students Immigration.gov Information on Student Visas
    How Do I Become a Vocational Student in the United States?
    Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Student Visas
    Dept. of State: Applying for a foreign Student Visa
    Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For - Student Visas
    Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in U.S. Public Schools
    How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Attendance
    M-1 Vocational student or other nonacademic student  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(m)
    M-2 Spouse or child of M-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(m)
         
    N-8 Parent of alien classified SK-3 "Special Immigrant"  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(N)(i)    
    N-9 Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 "Special Immmigrant"  
    INA Section 101(a) (15)(N)(ii) through (iv)    
         
    NAFTA North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (see TN, below)  
         
      North Atlantic Treaty Organization  
    NATO-1 Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO and resident members of official staff or immediate family  
    Not included in the INA
    Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094
    Article 20, 5 US Treaties 1098    		   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-2 Other representatives of member State; Dependents of Member of a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; Members of such a Force if issued visas  
    Article 13, 5 US Treaties 1094
    Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
    Article 3, 4 US Treaties 1796    		   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-3 Official clerical staff accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO or immediate family  
    Article 14, 5 US Treaties 1096   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-4 Official of NATO other than those qualified as NATO-1 and immediate family  
    Article 18, 5 US Treaties 1096   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-5 Expert other than NATO officials qualified under NATO-4, employed on behalf of NATO and immediate family  
    Article 21, 5 US Treaties 1100   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-6 Member of civilian component who is either accompanying a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; attached to an Allied headquarters under the protocol on the Status of International Military headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their dependents  
    Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
    Article 3, 5 US Treaties 877    		   8 CFR 214.2(s)
    NATO-7 Servant or personal employee of NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6, or immediate family  
    Articles 12-20, 5 US Treaties 1094 - 1098   8 CFR 214.2(s)
         
      Workers with Extraordinary Abilities Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification?
    O-1 Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(i))   8 CFR 214.2(o)(1), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3)
    O-2 Alien's (support) accompanying O-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(o)(4)
    O-3 Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(o)(5)
         
      Athletes and Entertainers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    P-1 Individual or team athletes  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)
    P-1 Entertainment groups  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(p)(4)
    P-2 Artists and entertainers in reciprocal Exchange programs  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(ii)   8 CFR 214.2(p)(5)
    P-3 Artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iii)   8 CFR 214.2(p)(6)
    P-4 Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iv)   8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D)
         
      International Cultural Exchange Visitors  
    Q-1 International cultural exchange visitors Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(i)   8 CFR 214.2(q)
    Q-2 Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program (Walsh Visas) Walsh Visa Program
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(l)   8 CFR 214.2(q)(15)
    Q-3 Spouse or child of Q-2  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(ll)   8 CFR 214.2(q)(15)
         
      Religious Workers Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
    Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Religious Workers
    Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
    R-1 Religious workers  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(R)   8 CFR 214.2(r)
    R-2 Spouse or child of R-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(R)   8 CFR 214.2(r)
         
      Witness or Informant  
    S-5 Informant of criminal organization information  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(i)  
    S-6 Informant of terrorism information  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(ii)  
         
    T Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
    Fact Sheet on T Application Process
    Dept. of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
    Dept. of State: Foreign Affairs Manual, Section 41.84
    T-1 Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(i)   8 CFR 214.11
    T-2 Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)   8 CFR 214.11(o)
    T-3 Child of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)   8 CFR 214.11(o)
    T-4 Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age)  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii)   8 CFR 214.11(o)
         
      North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Dept. of State: Professionals Under NAFTA
    Changes to NAFTA and new 2004 Trade Agreements
    TN Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans  
    INA Section 214(e)(2)   8 CFR 214.6
    Canadians: 8 CFR 214.6(d)
    Mexicans: 8 CFR 214.6(e)
    TD Spouse or child accompanying TN-  
    INA Section 214(e)(2)   8 CFR 214.6(j)
         
      Transit Without Visa  
    TWOV Passenger  
    INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5)   8 CFR 212.1(f)
    TWOV Crew  
    INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5)   8 CFR 212.1(f)
         
    U Victims of Certain Crimes  
    U-1 Victim of Certain Criminal Activity  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)    
    U-2 Spouse of U-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)    
    U-3 Child of U-1  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(U)    
    U-4 Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age    
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) 
         
      Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries How Do I Become a V-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Permanent Resident?
    Dept. of State: The New K and V Visas
    V-1 Spouse of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based petition (Form I-130) which was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(V)   8 CFR 214.15
    V-2 Child of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) that was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years.  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(V)   8 CFR 214.15
    V-3 The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2  
    INA Section 101(a)(15)(V)   8 CFR 214.15
         
      Humanitarian Parole Immigration.gov Information on Humanitarian Parole
         
      Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Protected Status
    How Do I Apply for Temporary Protected Status?
    TPS Temporary Protected Status  
    INA Section 244   8 CFR 244
    Last Modified 04/08/2004