by: Allen E. Kaye, Attorney-At-Law

There is a wide range of temporary visas, for many different purposes and each lasting from a few days to several years. Some must be approved in advance by the INS before being reviewed and issued by the State Department; others are simply reviewed only by the State Department. Many visa classifications can be granted not only to the principal applicant but also to his or her dependants (spouse and minor children).

There is a difference between a visa and a status, although both are referred to in the same general way and with the same alphabetical denomination (based on the section of the Immigration and Nationality Act where the category is described). A visa is simply a document in the person's passport; it acts like a ticket to ensure they get on the airplane and can show up at the front door of the U.S. A person's status is granted to the applicant when they show up at the border; it is initially granted by INS at the port of entry, and can be changed or extended by INS Service Centers.

A. Diplomatic employees and their households

B. Business visitors (B-1) or tourists (B-2)

C. Transit visa (pass-through at an airport or seaport)

D. Crewmember (air or sea)

E. Treaty-Investors or Treaty-Traders (from countries where we have a treaty of commerce and investment)

F. Students

G. Employees of International Organizations (IMF, OPIC, OAS, UN, International Red Cross, etc)

H. Temporary Workers. Can be professionals (H-1B), agricultural workers (H-2A), temporary or seasonal workers (H-2B), or trainees (H-3)

I. Representatives of international media

J. Exchange visitors (educational exchange students, au pairs, graduate medical trainees, practical training students, professors and researchers, short-term scholars, camp counselors, etc)

K. Fiances and fiancees

L. Intracompany transferees (executives, managers, persons with proprietary knowledge)

M. Language and vocational students

N. NATO employees

O. Extraordinary ability aliens in sciences, arts, business, athletics, or education, and support personnel

P. Athletes, athletic teams, entertainment groups (such as orchestras) and support personnel

Q. Cultural exchange visitors (for example, Smithsonian Folklife Festival)

R. Religious workers

S. Criminal informants

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Note:

The information provided herein is of general nature, and should not be construed as legal advice.