Nonimmigrant Visas
(Temporary Visas)
A nonimmigrant visa is the
visa issued to foreign nationals, or aliens, with permanent residence
outside the United States, but who wish to live and or work in the U.S. on a
temporary basis. American law presumes that every alien has the intent to be
an immigrant, which is why visa refusals are the most common denials. A
nonimmigrant visa issued by a U.S. consular officer alerts the immigration
officer at the port of entry of the United States that the individual is
likely eligible to apply for a particular nonimmigrant visa category.
However, a nonimmigrant visa does not guarantee admission into the United
States, as an immigration inspector can still deny entry if he believes that
a particular alien is not eligible to be admitted in the category for which
the visa was issued.
A nonimmigrant visa must
arrive at a U.S. port of entry during the period of time prescribed by the
visa. The period of time that a nonimmigrant visa is valid varies (anywhere
for 30 days to 10 years). Visas may be limited to a single entry or may be
valid for multiple entries during the period of their validity. The period
of time which an alien is permitted to stay on a nonimmigrant visa is
indicated on a small white card, called a Form I-94 (Departure Record) which
is stapled into the foreign national's passport.
IMPORTANT:
Only the Form I-94 determines a nonimmigrant's status and its validity as to
time and purpose. If an alien is present in the U.S. past that period of
time, he or she is "out of status" and risks being deported or barred from
further entry into the United States. Click on the links below to learn more
about the different types of nonimmigrant visas.
List
of Nonimmigrant Visas:
|
| A
|
Diplomats and
accredited officials of foreign governments |
| B-1
|
Visitors for
Business |
| B-2
|
Visitors for
Pleasure (tourist visa) |
| C
|
Foreigners
transiting through the United States |
| D
|
Crewmen |
| E-1
|
Treaty Traders |
| E-2
|
Treaty
Investors |
| E-3 |
Temporary
Workers who are Australian citizens |
| F
|
Students |
| G
|
Officials and
Employees of international organizations |
| H
|
Temporary
Workers |
| I
|
Representatives of Media |
| J
|
Exchange
Visitors |
| K
|
Fiancés and
Fiancées |
| L
|
Intracompany
Transferees |
| M
|
Vocational
Students |
| N
|
Parents and
children of G-4s and NATO employees |
| O
|
Extraordinary
Ability Artists and Athletes |
| P
|
International
recognized and outstanding artists and athletes |
| Q
|
International
Cultural Exchanges |
| R
|
Religious
Workers |
| S
|
Snitches |
| T
|
Victims of
severe trafficking |
| U
|
Victims of
serious violent crimes |
| V
|
Spouse or
child of LPR |
| TN
|
Professionals from Canada or Mexico |
To learn more about the
types of visas available to nonimmigrants and their spouses, please visit
the LL.M. Law Group drop down menu.
|
