Most popular and desirable options for skilled professionals
United StatesEmployer-sponsored US work visa for specialty-occupation professionals requiring a bachelor's degree; 85,000 annual cap, 3+3 years stay with dual intent.
United StatesSustained national or international acclaim in sciences, business, education, or athletics. Requires meeting 3+ of 8 evidentiary criteria.
United StatesMembers of professions holding advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. NIW (National Interest Waiver) available.
United StatesForeign government ambassadors, public ministers, career diplomats, heads of state, and their immediate family.
United StatesOther foreign government officials or employees on official duty, and their immediate family.
United StatesPersonal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of A-1 or A-2 visa holders.
United StatesShort-term business activities — meetings, negotiations, conferences, consultations. No U.S.-source salary.
United StatesCombined visa for both business and tourism/personal travel purposes.
United StatesTourism, vacation, visiting family or friends, medical treatment, or participation in social events.
United StatesFor Mexican nationals for short visits to the U.S. border zone. Valid for tourism and brief business within 25 miles of the border.
United StatesTransit through the United States en route to another country. Must have confirmed onward travel.
United StatesCombined visa for crew members of vessels or aircraft transiting through the U.S. or serving on ships/planes.
United StatesA temporary nonimmigrant classification for long-term investors in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) transitioning to U.S. immigration laws.
United StatesFor spouses married less than 2 years at time of admission. Conditional 2-year green card; must file I-751 to remove conditions.
United StatesFor children admitted within 2 years of parent's marriage. Conditional 2-year green card.
United StatesTemporary worker in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Subject to annual decreasing cap.
United StatesThe CW-2 visa is for the spouse and unmarried children (under 18) of a CW-1 visa holder in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
United StatesCrew member serving on board a vessel or aircraft in the United States.
United StatesFor individuals serving in good faith for normal operations aboard a commercial sea vessel or international airline in the United States.
United StatesWhile often discussed in legal contexts regarding specific landing privileges (e.g., in Guam), the U.S. Department of State generally processes crewmembers under the 'D' visa classification.
United StatesAnnual lottery providing ~55,000 immigrant visas to nationals of countries with low U.S. immigration rates. Random selection from qualified entries.
United StatesAdministrative relief from deportation for eligible individuals who came to the United States as children.
United StatesFor nationals of treaty countries engaged in substantial trade principally between the U.S. and their home country.
United StatesNonimmigrant visa for nationals of US treaty countries investing a substantial, at-risk amount of capital in a US business they actively direct.
United StatesNonimmigrant work visa for Australian citizens in US specialty occupations, with 2-year renewable stays and spouse work authorization.
United StatesA temporary nonimmigrant visa for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an E-3 Australian specialty occupation professional visa holder.
United StatesPermanent residency for foreign investors of $800K (TEA) or $1.05M (non-TEA) in a US enterprise creating 10+ jobs; no employer sponsor required.
United StatesPriority workers: persons of extraordinary ability (EB-1A), outstanding professors/researchers (EB-1B), or multinational managers/executives (EB-1C).
United StatesMembers of professions holding advanced degrees, or persons of exceptional ability in sciences, arts, or business. NIW (National Interest Waiver) available.
United StatesSkilled workers (2+ years training), professionals (bachelor's degree), and other workers (unskilled labor).
United StatesSpecial immigrants including religious workers, certain long-term U.S. government employees, Iraqi/Afghan translators, and other special categories.
United StatesOther workers performing unskilled labor requiring less than 2 years training or experience.
United StatesThe F-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for international students who wish to pursue full-time academic studies at a U.S. institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an F-1 student. Cannot work; limited study permitted.
United StatesUnmarried adult sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens. Subject to annual numerical limit.
United StatesSpouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents.
United StatesUnmarried adult sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents.
United StatesMarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens, and their spouses and minor children.
United StatesBrothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens (21+), and their spouses and minor children.
United StatesDesignated principal resident representative of a recognized foreign member government to an international organization.
United StatesOther accredited representative of a recognized foreign member government to an international organization.
United StatesRepresentative of a government not recognized by the U.S. or a non-member government to an international organization.
United StatesOfficers or employees of international organizations (UN, World Bank, IMF, etc.) and their immediate family.
United StatesPersonal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of G-1 through G-4 visa holders.
United StatesEmployer-sponsored US work visa for specialty-occupation professionals requiring a bachelor's degree; 85,000 annual cap, 3+3 years stay with dual intent.
United StatesFor nationals of Chile and Singapore in specialty occupations under free trade agreements. Separate from H-1B cap.
United StatesFor foreign workers performing services of an exceptional nature relating to a cooperative research and development project administered by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
United StatesSeasonal or temporary agricultural work when qualified U.S. workers are unavailable. No annual cap.
United StatesTemporary or seasonal non-agricultural work (hospitality, landscaping, etc.) when U.S. workers are unavailable. Subject to 66,000 annual cap.
United StatesTraining program not primarily for employment, or practical training in education of children with disabilities.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an H-1B, H-2, or H-3 visa holder.
United StatesRepresentatives of foreign media — press, radio, film, or print journalists — traveling for information gathering or reporting.
United StatesOrphan from Hague Convention country adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen.
United StatesOrphan from Hague Convention country coming to U.S. for adoption. Not yet finalized.
United StatesImmigrant visa for the spouse of a U.S. citizen. No numerical cap. Immediate relative category.
United StatesImmigrant visa for the unmarried child under 21 of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relative, no cap.
United StatesOrphan adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen, with full and final adoption completed overseas.
United StatesOrphan coming to the U.S. to be adopted by a U.S. citizen. Adoption not yet finalized abroad.
United StatesImmigrant visa for the parent of a U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years old. Immediate relative, no cap.
United StatesApproved exchange program — research scholars, professors, short-term scholars, trainees, teachers, au pairs, camp counselors, interns, specialists.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a J-1 visa holder. May apply for employment authorization.
United StatesEnter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen within 90 days of arrival. Must have met in person within the last 2 years.
United StatesUnmarried child (under 21) of a K-1 fiancé(e) visa holder.
United StatesFor spouses of U.S. citizens to enter while an I-130 immigrant visa petition is pending. Rarely used now.
United StatesUnmarried child (under 21) of a K-3 visa holder.
United StatesManagers or executives transferring from a qualifying foreign office to a U.S. office. Requires 1+ year with the company abroad within the last 3 years.
United StatesEmployees with specialized knowledge of company products, services, research, or management transferring to a U.S. office.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an L-1 visa holder. Spouse automatically receives work authorization.
United StatesStudy at a vocational or non-academic institution — flight schools, technical training, trade programs.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an M-1 visa holder. Cannot work or study.
United StatesPrincipal permanent representative of a NATO member state and official staff.
United StatesOther representatives of NATO member states, experts employed by NATO, or their dependents.
United StatesOfficial clerical staff of a NATO representative.
United StatesOther NATO officials not classifiable under NATO-1 through NATO-3.
United StatesExperts employed by NATO on behalf of a non-member state, or representatives of non-member states.
United StatesMember of a civilian component accompanying NATO forces, or attendant/servant of NATO-1 through NATO-5.
United StatesFor personal employees, attendants, or domestic workers of valid NATO-1 through NATO-6 visa holders.
United StatesSustained national or international acclaim in sciences, business, education, or athletics. Requires meeting 3+ of 8 evidentiary criteria.
United StatesExtraordinary achievement in arts, motion picture, or television industry demonstrated by sustained distinction.
United StatesAccompanies an O-1 artist or athlete to assist in a specific event or performance. Must be integral to the O-1's activity.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an O-1 or O-2 visa holder.
United StatesIndividual or team athletes competing at an internationally recognized level.
United StatesMembers of an entertainment group that has been internationally recognized as outstanding.
United StatesArtist or entertainer in the U.S. under a reciprocal exchange program between U.S. and foreign organizations.
United StatesArtists or entertainers performing under a culturally unique program — folk, traditional, or ethnic arts.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 visa holder.
United StatesPractical training and sharing of culture through an international cultural exchange program approved by USCIS.
United StatesTemporary employment in a religious vocation or occupation at a bona fide U.S. non-profit religious organization.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of an R-1 visa holder.
United StatesLawful permanent residents who remained abroad for over 1 year due to circumstances beyond their control, seeking to return.
United StatesMinisters of religion entering permanently to work for a bona fide religious organization. Requires 2+ years membership.
United StatesIraqi nationals who worked as translators/interpreters for the U.S. government or who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Iraq.
United StatesAfghan nationals who worked as translators/interpreters or were employed by the U.S. government or ISAF in Afghanistan.
United StatesReligious workers in a religious vocation or occupation (not ministers) entering permanently. Requires 2+ years membership.
United StatesSpouse or unmarried child (under 21) of a TN visa holder. Cannot work in the U.S.
United StatesFor Canadian and Mexican citizens in designated professional occupations under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. No annual cap; no lottery.
United StatesTemporary immigration status for nationals of designated countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions.
United StatesA nonimmigrant visa for unmarried minor children (under 21) of an LPR who have a pending I-130 petition filed on or before December 21, 2000.
United StatesThis visa allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a principal asylee to join them in the United States.
United StatesThis visa allows the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of an admitted refugee to join them in the United States.
United StatesAllows citizens of 42 participating countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa. Requires ESTA approval.