Every year, millions of individuals from across the globe enter and exit the United States, for a variety of reasons.
Whether an individual is visiting family or simply wants to explore the United States, to corporations, employees, universities, colleges, secondary schools, athletes, entertainers, diplomats, employees, professionals, technicians: the United States provides individuals from around the world with the opportunity to seek a non-immigrant, temporary visa, which allows travel to the United States for the visa purpose.
As a general rule, an individual who wants to travel to the United States as a non-immigrant needs a visa. For some non-immigrant visa categories, an alien can obtain the visa directly from the U.S. consulate without having to first apply to and receive approval from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (formerly called the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)). For other non-immigrant visa categories, an alien has to obtain approval from the USCIS prior to applying for a visa at the United States consulate. In those instances, one must be ready to produce evidence of USCIS approval to the United States consulate. Aside from evidence of approval from the USCIS, there are other forms and documents an alien must bring to the U.S. consulate when applying for a visa.
Regardless of what visa category that an individual seeks, it is crucial that all documents are correctly completed, reviewed, and submitted. It is important that any visa applicant is ready for a consular interview, without concerns of missing documents, or other issues that may arise. It is important that when seeking a non-immigrant visa, all United States Consulates have full authority to deny any application, for whatever reason, absent any obligation to disclose the United States Consulate’s rational for its decision. When seeking a non-immigrant visa, your first chance is your only chance. Given this, any applicant should consult with an immigration attorney before making any application to or attending any interview at a United States Consulate.
We have handled thousands of matters before United States Consulates across the globe–ensuring that our non-immigrant visa applications are quickly and successfully processed. Do not try it alone. Contact Norris McLaughlin Today for a Free Consultation. Call (484) 544-0022.
Click For a Detailed List of Non Immigrant Visa Categories.
Types of Non-Immigrant Visas (Business and Non-Business Related):
| Classification | Individuals Included |
|---|---|
| Athlete, amateur or professional | B-1 |
| Au pair (exchange visitor) | J |
| Australian professional specialty | E-3 |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC |
| Business visitor | B-1 |
| CNMI-only transitional worker | CW-1 |
| Crewmember | D |
| Diplomat or foreign government official | A |
| Domestic employee or nanny – must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 |
| Employee of a designated international organization or NATO | G1-G5, NATO |
| Exchange visitor | J |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2, NATO1-6 |
| Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile, Singapore | H-1B1 – Chile H-1B1 – Singapore |
| International cultural exchange visitor | Q |
| Intra-company transferee | L |
| Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 |
| Media, journalist | I |
| NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD |
| Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P |
| Physician | J, H-1B |
| Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J |
| Religious worker | R |
| Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B |
| Student: academic, vocational | F, M |
| Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A |
| Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature | H-2B |
| Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 |
| Training in a program | H-3 |
| Treaty trader/treaty investor | E |
| Transiting the United States | C |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V |
| Renewals in the U.S. – A, G, and NATO Visas |
Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can enroll F or M nonimmigrant students. For a list of elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, flight schools, private schools, colleges and universities in the United States that are approved to sponsor students from abroad under either the F-1 or M-1 Visa, please click here: SEVP Certified Schools.
