Many people dream of moving to the United States. The sheer size of this country fires the imagination. Whether it’s the immensity of the skyscrapers of New York, Las Vegas or Los Angeles, or the beauty of the wild landscapes of the American West and the national parks of Yosemite, Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, everyone can find their place and begin their American dream. But before you can see the torch at the Statue of Liberty, you’ll need to go through a few administrative formalities.
Whether you’re traveling to the U.S. to visit, study, do an internship or expatriate and work in the U.S., you’ll need an US visa. There are a multitude of them, but we can differentiate between two major categories. On the one hand, visas for temporary stays (non-immigrants), and on the other, those for people wishing to settle and live in the United States (immigrants). In this article, we’ll try to explain as clearly as possible the different types of visas. visas issued by US authorities.
U.S. Visa for non-immigrants
The American visas for non-immigrants are for people wishing to visit the United States for a specific period of time.
Different types of stays fall into this category:
- tourist trip;
- business travel ;
- temporary work ;
- study ;
- receive medical treatment.
The USA visas visitors
Visitor visa (B): business travel, tourism, medical treatment
This USA visa applies to foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. temporarily on business (B1), including participation in professional appointments, meetings and conferences. It also applies to tourist visits, visits to relatives in the USA or to receive medical treatment (B2). It can also be a combination of several situations (B1/B2) for a maximum duration of 6 months.
Transit visa (C)
This visa is for people traveling between two foreign countries and transiting through the United States on the way.
ESTA Electronic Travel Authorization
Since 2009, foreign nationals who are citizens of a Visa Waiver Program country have been required to apply for an ESTA if they are traveling to the USA for tourism or business for up to 90 days. This authorization is also required for simple transit through the USA. The application is made exclusively via an online form. You don’t need to apply at an American embassy or consulate (a biometric or electronic passport is required).
American student visas
Student visa (F/M)
To study in the United States and follow a government-approved program of study, you generally need to apply for an U.S. visa student (F/M)
Exchange visa (J)
This visa is required for foreign student exchange programs or cultural exchanges. The program or school supporting the exchange will provide the applicant with a DS-2019 form, to be presented on the day of the visa application appointment. If the program authorizes spouses and children to accompany the applicant, they too must complete a DS-2019 form.
American work visas
Visa for crew members (D)
The D visa is for people working aboard boats (such as cruise ships or fishing boats) or for airlines making stopovers in the United States.
Visa for journalists and members of the press (I)
To obtain this visa, it is necessary to prove an activity related to the world of media and information. This visa is in fact reserved for foreign media representatives, including members of the press, radio, television or film industry, visiting the United States as part of their professional activity.
Investor visa (E1/E2)
This USA visa is intended for nationals of countries with current commercial treaties with the USA. Holders of this visa can therefore enter into substantial service and technology agreements with American companies.
Australian Worker Visa (E3)
Only for Australian citizens going to the United States to work temporarily in a specific field.
Visas for specific workers (H, L, O, P, Q, R)
These American visas cover a multitude of professions and categories of people with specific skills.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of possible applicants for these visas:
- a person with extraordinary abilities (O) ;
- employee transferred from an international company (L) ;
- seasonal agricultural employees (H2-A) ;
- internationally recognized athlete or artist (P) ;
- religious worker (R) ;
NAFTA Professional Visa (TD/TN)
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) establishes economic and trade relations between the USA, Canada and Mexico, and allows nationals of these countries to work in the USA in regulated professions.
U.S. Visa for Immigrants
American immigrant visas are intended for people wishing to live in the USA and become permanent residents. In the vast majority of cases, they are issued for family or work-related reasons. To be eligible, the applicant must be sponsored by an American citizen, by a family member with permanent resident status, or by an employer. It is the sponsor who initiates the immigration process by filing a petition on behalf of the applicant, and forwards it to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once in possession of the green card, the applicant can apply for naturalization in order to obtain U.S. citizenship (after 3 years for family members of U.S. citizens, and after 5 years for family members of permanent residents).
A U.S. citizen may apply for a visa for :
- a wife ;
- a son or daughter;
- a parent ;
- a brother or sister.
A permanent resident (green card holder) can apply for a visa for :
- a wife ;
- an unmarried son or daughter.
An American employer can sponsor a qualified worker, provided he or she is offered permanent employment. In certain areas, U.S. law allows an applicant to be his or her own sponsor.
The number of USA visas The number of immigrant visas issued each year is limited. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of visas issued, they will be placed on a waiting list and the visa will be issued in chronological order, from the date of application.
While the vast majority of visas issued are for family reunification or a promise of employment, there are other categories. An American citizen can file a request for a fiancé of foreign origin, with the aim of marrying in the USA, or for an orphan adopted abroad and then to be adopted in the USA.
Other visa categories are available for specialized workers (researchers, experts in new technologies, etc.).
The U.S. government also offers an annual Diversity Visa program, also known as the Green Card Lottery. Eligibility requirements are different from those mentioned above. To learn more about the requirements, please consult the official U.S. government website.