Different Types of US Travel Visas Explained

Going to the United States? Do you know that regardless of whether you are traveling as a tourist, to carry out business, further your studies or to reunify with your family, you need the correct visa to ease your entry? The American government has a vast range of visa categories, which are designed with regard to the purpose of travel. Being familiar with the types of US travel visas may enable you to make the right decision, save your time and get your visa application processed without any trouble. As every visa comes with a different list of requirements and validity regulations, it is useful to know which of these categories your particular traveling purpose falls under.

So in this comprehensive guide, we will demystify the non-immigrant types of US travel visas to US, the most commonly used types of visa to enter the US. You will also find out what is the easiest US visa to obtain depending on your purpose of travel and your nationality, and we will reply to one more popular question: how many types of visas are there in the US? Are you a first-time applicant or just someone who wants to have a clear understanding of the US travel visa system? This blog will make you apply with confidence in the US visa system.

Here are the Types of Travel Visa to US

1. B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa (Tourism and Business)

The B-1/B-2 visa is the most popular non-immigrant visa that individuals who wish to temporarily enter the US apply. B-1 visa is intended to be used in relation to business matters whereas B-2 is meant to be used in relation to tourism, vacations, and visiting relatives and friends.

Key Purposes:

• Participation in business meetings or conferences (B-1)
• Sight seeing, tourism (B-2)
• Getting medical care (B-2)
• Going to family gatherings (B-2)
• It is the most commonly used category of travel visa to US particularly among tourists and short-term business visitors.

2. F-1 Student Visa

F-1 visa is granted to foreign students wishing to have full-time education in the US colleges, universities or language training programs that are approved by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Requirements

• Copy of admission to a SEVP-approved school
• Proofs of adequate financial capability
• Plan to come back home after studies
• The F-1 academic visa type is the most widespread and well-recognized type of academic visa.

3. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

J-1 visa is directed to people who take part in exchange programs such as scholars, professors, interns and au pairs. It is applied in cultural exchange, research and training.

Categories Include:

• Research scholars
• Professors
• Residents and medical interns
• Camp counselors
• This visa usually needs the sponsorship of a recognised organisation.

4. H 1 B Work Visa

H-1B visa is a non-immigrant working visa which enables the US companies to hire foreigners to work in specialty occupations which need theoretical or technical knowledge.

Popular Among:

• IT professional
• Engineers
• Doctors
• Scientists
• This visa is competitive because of the high demand and yearly limits.

5. L-1 Intra-Company Transfer Visa

L-1 visa is targeted at the employees of foreign organizations who are transferred to the US branch or affiliate of their organization.

Two Types:

• L-1A: Managers and executives
• L-1B: Specialized knowledge employees
• This visa is used by the companies to transfer talent within its own global network.

6. O Visa (Exceptional Ability)

O visa is allocated to persons who have extraordinary ability in the fields of arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics. This even involves the film and television practitioners.

Categories:

• O-1A: Science, education, business, athletics
• O-1B: Arts or film/TV
• O-2: Support staff
• O-3: Dependents
• It is a selective visa that needs demonstration of exceptional skill and recognition.

7. K-1 Fiance(e) Visa

K-1 visa denotes the opportunity of a foreign fiance(e) of a US citizen to come to the US to get married. Within 90 days after arrival, the couple should get married.

Requirements:

• Evidence of relationship
• The two parties should also be legally allowed to marry.
• Plan to get married within 90 days.
• This visa is the initial procedure of getting a green card through marriage.

8. Tourist Visa Waiver (ESTA)

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows the nationals of some countries to enter the US without a visa, not more than 90 days, either on tourism or business. They have to choose ESTA ( Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

Eligible Countries:

• UK, Japan, Germany, Australia etc.
• Only valid 2 years or unless passport expires
• This program is reputed to be the easiest US visa from Oman to obtain, although it is so only to the citizens of VWP countries.

9. C Transit Visa

C visa is given to those travelers who are just transiting in the US on their way to another destination country. With this visa you are not able to stay or tour the US.

Requirements:

• Evidence of travelling to third country.
• Legal visa (where necessary) of the country of destination.

10. B-1 instead of H-1B

This special group is made for people who come to the US on temporary basis to do business work which is similar to H-1B. Less common, but occasionally used, is its application to short-term skilled assignments.

Which US visa is easiest to get

Many applicants ask, which US visa is easiest to get? As a rule, B-2 tourist visa and ESTA within the Visa Waiver Program are regarded as the easiest to get. The ESTA is the most inconvenience-free in case you belong to a qualifying country, whereas the B-2 visa needs an interview and paperwork but is otherwise liberally issued in case of bona fide reasons.

How many visa types are there in the US

A common question is, how many visa types are there in the US? The United States offers over 185 different types of US travel visas, categorized mainly into:

• Non-immigrant visas (stay of limited duration)
• Immigrant visas (permanent residency)
• All these categories have certain classes of visas which are specialized to the reason of the travel.

FAQs

1. What is the easiest visa to obtain in the US as a tourist?

The B-2 tourist visa is supposed to be the most easy to obtain in tourism, but still one has to appear for an interview and must show intentions of returning back. Are you a citizen of a Visa Waiver country? Enter with ESTA, the simplest system to spend up to 90 days in the country.

2. Is it possible to change visa status when I am in US?

Yes, you may in most situations apply to have your visa status changed (e.g., B-2 to F-1) by filing with USCIS before your current visa expires.

3. What are the number of visas available in US?

Visa types are more than 185 and are classified broadly as immigrant and non-immigrant, based on the intention of visit and stay.

4. What is the distinction between immigrant and non-immigrant visa?

Immigrant visas are aimed at individuals who want to reside in the US permanently. Non-immigrant visas are used when staying in the country temporarily e.g. tourism, work, education.

5. Can I apply online to get a US visa?

You can complete your DS-160 form and make an appointment to give your visa interview online, however you will need to go in person to the US embassy or consulate to provide biometrics and have an interview (unless you are eligible to get an interview waiver).

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