Categories of Visa for the USA: Temporary and Permanent, in One Table
Updated · By the Law Figures editors
General information, not legal advice. Laws differ by state and change, so check the sources below or ask a lawyer licensed in your state before you act. Legal disclaimer
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The categories of visa for the USA fall into two groups: nonimmigrant visas for a temporary stay with a set purpose, like tourism, study or a specific job, and immigrant visas that lead to a green card and permanent residence. Each nonimmigrant visa takes its letter from a subparagraph of the immigration law's list of classes (8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)). The right one depends on why you're coming and how long you plan to stay.
| Visa | Purpose | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 | Business visits and tourism | No work for a U.S. employer |
| Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) | Short business or tourist visits from participating countries | No visa needed, up to 90 days |
| F-1 | Academic study | School must be approved; limited work |
| M-1 | Vocational study | For non-academic programs |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors: scholars, researchers, au pairs, trainees | Some must return home for two years after |
| H-1B | Specialty occupations needing a degree | Employer sponsors; yearly cap with exceptions |
| H-2A / H-2B | Seasonal farm / seasonal non-farm work | Employer must show a need for temporary workers |
| L-1 | Transfer within the same company | Prior work for the company abroad |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability or achievement | Strong evidence of recognition |
| TN | Professionals from Canada and Mexico | Under the USMCA trade agreement |
| E-1 / E-2 | Treaty traders and investors | Country must have a qualifying treaty |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen | Must marry within 90 days of arrival |
Each visa has its own rules on length of stay, family members and whether you can change status. USCIS and the State Department publish the details.
Immigrant visas and green cards
| Path | Who it's for | Wait |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate relatives (IR) | Spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of U.S. citizens | No yearly limit |
| Family preference (F1 to F4) | Other relatives of citizens, and spouses and children of permanent residents | Yearly limits; often years |
| EB-1 | Extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, multinational managers | Usually shortest employment wait |
| EB-2 | Advanced degrees or exceptional ability | Varies by country |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, other workers | Varies by country |
| EB-4 | Special immigrants, such as religious workers | Varies |
| EB-5 | Investors who create U.S. jobs | Investment amounts set by law |
| Diversity visa (DV) | Lottery winners from countries with low immigration | Yearly lottery |
| Refugee and asylum | People fleeing persecution | Separate process |
Family green cards start with Form I-130. Where you stand in line is in our guide to green card wait times.
Choosing the right category
Answer these first:
- Is the stay temporary, or do you want to live in the U.S. permanently?
- Is there a U.S. employer, school, relative or fiancé(e) who would sponsor you?
- Will you need to work, and for whom?
- Are you from a Visa Waiver Program country, or from Canada or Mexico?
- Do you plan to bring a spouse or children?
Mistakes that cause problems later
- Entering on a visitor visa while intending to stay permanently. Intent at entry matters.
- Working without authorization, even briefly.
- Staying past the date on your I-94 record, which can bar you from returning for years.
- Assuming a visa approval means admission. Border officers decide at entry.
Immigration law changes often. For anything beyond basic research, use USCIS's own pages or a licensed immigration lawyer, and be wary of anyone else offering to file for you.