Types of American visas 【 2026 】– Complete guide

There are several types of American visas available for people who want to live in the United States or visit temporarily. In general, they are grouped into nonimmigrant visas (temporary stays: tourism, study, temporary work, transit) and immigrant visas (to live permanently and, in most cases, get a Green Card).

This updated guide covers the main U.S. visas, explained by purpose (tourism, work, study, family, investment, official and humanitarian), with examples and links to full requirements.

Depending on your needs, you may apply for a work, study, tourism, family reunification, investment, or other specific visa category.

In this context, it’s crucial to have the guidance of our immigration lawyers in Los Angeles to avoid setbacks during processing.

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Table of Contents

Most requested types of American visas in 2026

Visas are divided by travel purpose. Understanding the categories helps you choose wisely.

Before choosing a visa, check whether your country is in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If so, you can travel for up to 90 days for business or tourism with an ESTA authorization and do not need a B-1/B-2 visa. If you don’t qualify or your trip is for study, work, or residence, then you do need one of the following visas.

Tourist and business visitor visas

These are the most commonly used visas for short trips to the U.S.:

B-1 visa (business): Meetings, contract negotiations, conferences.
B-2 visa (tourism): Tourism, family visits, shopping, or medical treatment.

Note: If your country is in the VWP you can travel with ESTA authorization and don’t need a B-1/B-2 visa.

Temporary worker visas

They allow you to work in the U.S. for a limited time. Widely used by companies, sponsors, and seasonal programs:

H-1B and H-1B1 (Chile and Singapore): Specialty occupations.
H-2A: Temporary agricultural work.
H-2B: Temporary non-agricultural work.
H-3: Training not available in your home country.
E-3: Australian professionals in specialty occupations.
L-1: Intracompany transferees (L-1A executives, L-1B specialized knowledge).
O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability.
O-2: Essential support personnel for O-1 holders.
O-3: Spouse and children of O-1/O-2.
P visas: Athletes and artists (P-1, P-2, P-3) and their P-4 dependents.
R-1: Religious workers.
I visa: Foreign media and journalists.
Q visa: International cultural exchange visitors.
H-4: Dependents of H-1B/H-2 (some H-4 spouses can work with an approved EAD).
L-2: Spouses and children of L-1 (L-2 spouses are work-authorized by status with “S” annotation).
E dependents (E-1/E-2/E-3): Spouse and children of E principals (E spouses are work-authorized by status with “S” annotation on the I-94).
TN: Professionals from Mexico and Canada under USMCA/T-MEC; TD for dependents.

2026 update: L-2 and E spouses are generally work-authorized by status (based on their I-94); H-4 spouses typically need an approved EAD if they want to work.

Permanent worker visas

These employment-based visas lead to a Green Card and permanent residence in the U.S.:

EB-1: Extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, executives.
EB-2 (includes NIW – National Interest Waiver): Advanced degree or exceptional ability; may request waiver of employer sponsorship.
EB-3: Professionals or skilled workers. Requires a job offer and, in most cases, an approved PERM labor certification from the Department of Labor.
EB-4: Certain special immigrants (includes SIV for Iraqi/Afghan nationals and SIJS cases).
EB-5: Investors.

Student and exchange visitor visas

visas for students and exchange visitors

For studying or joining exchange programs in the U.S. Depending on the field or program, you may obtain one of the following U.S. student visas:

F-1: Academic students.
F-2: Spouse and children of F-1.
F-3: Border commuters from Mexico or Canada.
M-1: Vocational studies.
M-2: Spouse and children of M-1.
J-1: Exchange programs.
J-2: Dependents of J-1 holders.

Family visas

These allow U.S. citizens and permanent residents to reunite with family through a family-based immigration petition. This process starts by filing Form I-130, where the citizen or resident officially petitions their relative with USCIS. See here how to fill out Form I-130.

V visas: Created by the LIFE Act (2000) to let spouses and children of residents reunite while the immigrant visa was pending. No new V visas have been issued since 2001.
IR-1 and CR-1: Spouses of U.S. citizens (depending on marriage length). Includes IR-2 for children.
K-1 fiancé(e), K-2 for the fiancé(e)’s children, and K-3 and K-4 for spouses and children.
Citizen family preference (F1 to F4): Unmarried children, married children, and siblings of the citizen.
Resident family categories (F2A and F2B): Spouses and minor children (F2A) and unmarried adult children (F2B) of residents.
Adoption visas: IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4.

Transit and crewmember visas

For foreigners transiting through the U.S. or working aboard:

C visa: Transit through the U.S. to a third country.
D visa: Crewmembers of international aircraft or vessels.
Combined C-1/D: Common for crews who enter, transit, and embark.
C-2 / C-3: Diplomatic transit (UN and foreign governments).

Note: The Border Crossing Card (BCC) acts as a B-1/B-2 visa but only for Mexican citizens and residents.

Visas for diplomats or foreign government officials

types of american visas for foreign government officials

Issued for official travel or to work at international organizations:

Diplomatic A-1 and A-2 visas: Diplomats and officials on official duty.
A-3: Personal or domestic employees of A-1/A-2 holders.
G visas (G-1 to G-5): Representatives and employees of international organizations; G-5 for domestic staff.
NATO visas: NATO personnel and family members traveling for official functions.

Note: These normally include immediate family, except certain subcategories such as G-5.

Trader and investor visas in the United States

For nationals of treaty countries who trade with or invest in the U.S.:

E-1: Treaty traders engaged in substantial trade.
E-2: Treaty investors who develop and direct an investment in the U.S.

CNMI note: In the Northern Mariana Islands there are specific classifications: CW-1 (CNMI-only transitional worker) and E-2C (CNMI investor by treaty).

Visas for victims of crime, violence and abuse

For foreigners who suffered crimes or abuse and need immigration protection:

T visa: Victims of human trafficking.
U visa: Victims of certain crimes who cooperate with authorities.
VAWA (self-petition for domestic violence): Not a visa per se, but a protection under the Violence Against Women Act that allows applying for residence via Form I-360 when the applicant suffered abuse by a citizen or resident spouse/relative.

Additionally, in certain humanitarian cases, the government may grant humanitarian parole to remain temporarily in the country while the case is resolved.

Our attorneys are not only immigration specialists, they are also criminal defense lawyers in Los Angeles.

Other visa types in the United States

Some visas don’t fit the earlier groups but are useful for specific cases:

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): A special classification for minors who suffered abuse, neglect, or abandonment. It can lead to a Green Card under the EB-4 category when a visa is available.
Diversity Visas: Annual lottery for countries with low immigration to the U.S.
SB-1 visa: For permanent residents who stayed abroad over one year for reasons beyond their control.
S visas: For witnesses/informants who assist law enforcement.

There are other very specific categories (for example, certain CNMI-only classifications) that consulates evaluate case by case. If your situation doesn’t fit the categories above, talk to us.

Didn’t find the visa you were looking for? Here are the most important ones. We can review your case and tell you which option fits.

How can a visa be used to enter the United States?

With a U.S. visa you can travel to an airport, seaport, or land border and request admission. A CBP officer will review your visa and decide whether you may enter, for how long, and under what status.

Important: The visa in your passport does not guarantee entry; it only indicates a consular officer found you eligible to apply for a visa for that purpose.

What types of American visas do I need to go to the United States?

The visa you need depends on the purpose of your trip. Broadly, U.S. visas are divided into:

Nonimmigrant visas: Temporary stays (tourism, study, business, temporary work, transit).
Immigrant visas: To live in the U.S. permanently and, in most cases, obtain a Green Card.

If you’re unsure which one to use, it’s best to have an attorney review your case before paying fees or booking an interview.

What’s the general process to apply for a U.S. visa?

The exact process varies by visa type, but generally includes:

Identify the correct visa based on the purpose of travel.
Complete the online application (for example, Form DS-160 for most nonimmigrant visas).
Pay the fees: The amount depends on the visa type and may change.
Schedule the consular interview at a U.S. embassy/consulate and prepare the consular processing steps if your case is for an immigrant visa.
Attend the interview: The consular officer will review documents and ask questions.
Wait for approval: If approved, your passport will be returned with the visa.

Key difference in this guide: Not all visas follow the exact same flow; at our firm we first check whether it’s smarter to pursue an adjustment of status, an immigration waiver, a derivative category for your family, or even applying at a different consulate to reduce wait times.

How long do the different types of American visas take to process?

Processing times depend on the visa type and the consulate where you apply. Some have fast appointments; others are backlogged for weeks or months. The most reliable approach is to check the State Department’s official tools before paying.

2026 update on fees and surcharges: The U.S. Department of State may adjust visa fees and add security/integrity surcharges. Also, the USCIS Integrity Fund imposes extra charges on certain employers filing employment petitions (H-1B, H-2B, L-1, etc.). Before paying or scheduling, always review current fees at the Department of State and USCIS.

Common mistakes when applying for a U.S. visa

Choosing a visa category that doesn’t match the real purpose of travel.
Failing to show sufficient ties to your home country (a common reason for B-1/B-2 denials).
Not checking whether your country is in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and applying for a B-1/B-2 unnecessarily.
Submitting forms with inconsistencies regarding social media, employment, or income.
Assuming prior visa approvals guarantee a new approval.
Not reviewing updated fees or surcharges before paying.
Relying only on unofficial or outdated information.

FAQs about types of American visas

What’s the easiest visa? Often the B-2 tourist visa, but approval depends on proving you’ll return to your country.
Can I bring my family? Many visas have derivatives: H-4 for H-1B, L-2 for L-1, F-2 for F-1, J-2 for J-1.
Can I change status inside the U.S.? In some cases yes, but you must apply before your I-94 expires.
Is a visa the same as a Green Card? No. A visa lets you request entry; a Green Card lets you live and work.
If I was denied, can I reapply? Yes, but it’s best to fix the cause of the denial first.

What is the priority date in immigrant visas?

The priority date in immigration is the day USCIS or the Department of State receives your petition for an immigrant visa or Green Card. That date sets your place in the Visa Bulletin line. When the Bulletin reaches your date, your case can move forward.

Los Angeles attorneys for the different types of American visas

With over 60 years of combined immigration experience, our attorneys have helped hundreds of immigrants choose the right category, prepare interviews, and fix denied applications.

If you need help choosing the right visa or preparing for your interview, we can review your case.