| | Nonimmigrant Visas | General Information on Nonimmigrant Benefits |
| | Nonimmigrant Classifications and Visas | Government Information |
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| | Foreign Government Officials | |
| A-1 | Ambassador, public minister, career, diplomatic or consular officer, and members of immediate family. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(a) | |
| A-2 | Other foreign government official or employee, and members of immediate family. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(a) | |
| A-3 | Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(a) | |
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| | Visitors | Business or Pleasure Visitors
Tips for U.S. Visas - Business or Pleasure Visitors |
| B-1 | Temporary visitor for business | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) | | 8 CFR 214.2(b) | |
| B-2 | Temporary visitor for pleasure | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) | | 8 CFR 214.2(b) | |
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| | Visa Waiver Program | Visa Waiver Program (Immigration.gov)
Visa Waiver Program (Dept. of State) |
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| | Aliens in Transit |
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| C-1 | Alien in transit directly through U.S. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) | | 8 CFR 214.2(c) | |
| C-1D | Combined transit and crewman visa | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) & (D) | | 8 CFR 214.2(c) | |
| C-2 | Alien in transit to UN headquarters district under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) | | 8 CFR 214.2(c) |
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| C-3 | Foreign government official, members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in transit | | INA Section 212(d)(8) | | 8 CFR 214.2(c) | |
| C-4 | Transit without Visa, see TWOV | | INA Sections 212(d)(3), and 212(d)(5) | | 8 CFR 212.1(f) |
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| | Crewmen | |
| D-1 | Crewmember departing on same vessel of arrival | | INA section 101(a)(15)(D) | | 8 CFR 214.2(d) | |
| D-2 | Crewmember departing by means other than vessel of arrival | | INA section 101(a)(15)(D) | | | 8 CFR 214.2(d) | |
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| | Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors | Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| E-1 | Treaty Trader, spouse and children | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(e)(1) | |
| E-2 | Treaty Investor, spouse and children | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(e)(2) | |
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| | Academic Students | Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Students
Dept. of State: Information on Student Visas
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Assistance? |
| F-1 | Academic Student | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(f) | |
| F-2 | Spouse or child of F-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(f) | |
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| | For Foreign Medical Graduates (see individual categories H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN, E-2) | |
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| | Foreign Government Officials to International Organizations | |
| G-1 | Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(g) | |
| G-2 | Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(e)(1) | |
| G-3 | Representative of non-recognized or nonmember government to international organization, and members of immediate family | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(G) | |
| G-4 | International organization officer or employee, and members of immediate family | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iv) | | 8 CFR 214.2(g) | |
| G-5 | Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, or members of immediate family | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(v) | | 8 CFR 214.2(g) | |
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| | Temporary Workers | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| H-1B | Specialty Occupations, DOD workers, fashion models | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(4) | |
| H-1C | Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(3) | |
| H-2A | Temporary Agricultural Worker | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(5) | |
| H-2B | Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(6) | |
| H-3 | Trainee | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(7) | |
| H-4 | Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iv) | | 8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv) | |
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| | Foreign Media Representatives | Dept. of State: Revalidation of "I" Journalist Visas |
| I | Visas for foreign media representatives | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(I) | | 8 CFR 214.2(i) | |
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| | Exchange Visitors | Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
How Do I Get a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement if I am an Exchange Visitor
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| J-1 | Visas for exchange visitors | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(j) | |
| J-2 | Spouse or child of J-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(j) | |
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| | Fiance(e) of US Citizen | |
| K-1 | Fiance(e) | How Do I Bring My Fiance(e) to the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Fiance(e)s
How Do I Change My Fiance(e)'s Status to Lawful Permanent Resident? | INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) | | 8 CFR 214.2(k) | |
| K-2 | Minor child of K-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) | | 8 CFR 214.2(k) | |
| K-3 | Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act) | How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen?
Dept. of State: The New K and V | INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(k) | |
| K-4 | Child of K-3 (LIFE Act) | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(k) | |
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| | Intracompany Transferee | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| L-1A | Executive, managerial | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) | | 8 CFR 214.2(l) | |
| L-1B | Specialized knowledge | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) | | 8 CFR 214.2(l) | |
| L-2 | Spouse or child of L-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) | | 8 CFR 214.2(l) | |
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| | Vocational and Language Students | Immigration.gov Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become a Vocational Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Student Visas
Dept. of State: Applying for a foreign Student Visa
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For - Student Visas
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in U.S. Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Attendance |
| M-1 | Vocational student or other nonacademic student | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(m) | |
| M-2 | Spouse or child of M-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(m) | |
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| N-8 | Parent of alien classified SK-3 "Special Immigrant" | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(N)(i) | | | |
| N-9 | Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 "Special Immmigrant" | | INA Section 101(a) (15)(N)(ii) through (iv) | | | |
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| NAFTA | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (see TN, below) | |
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| | North Atlantic Treaty Organization | |
| NATO-1 | Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO and resident members of official staff or immediate family | Not included in the INA
Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 20, 5 US Treaties 1098 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-2 | Other representatives of member State; Dependents of Member of a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; Members of such a Force if issued visas | Article 13, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 4 US Treaties 1796 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-3 | Official clerical staff accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO or immediate family | | Article 14, 5 US Treaties 1096 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-4 | Official of NATO other than those qualified as NATO-1 and immediate family | | Article 18, 5 US Treaties 1096 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-5 | Expert other than NATO officials qualified under NATO-4, employed on behalf of NATO and immediate family | | Article 21, 5 US Treaties 1100 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-6 | Member of civilian component who is either accompanying a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; attached to an Allied headquarters under the protocol on the Status of International Military headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their dependents | Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 5 US Treaties 877 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
| NATO-7 | Servant or personal employee of NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6, or immediate family | | Articles 12-20, 5 US Treaties 1094 - 1098 | | 8 CFR 214.2(s) | |
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| | Workers with Extraordinary Abilities | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(i)) | | 8 CFR 214.2(o)(1), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3) | |
| O-2 | Alien's (support) accompanying O-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(o)(4) | |
| O-3 | Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(o)(5) | |
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| | Athletes and Entertainers | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| P-1 | Individual or team athletes | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(p)(4) | |
| P-1 | Entertainment groups | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(p)(4) | |
| P-2 | Artists and entertainers in reciprocal Exchange programs | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(p)(5) | |
| P-3 | Artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iii) | | 8 CFR 214.2(p)(6) | |
| P-4 | Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iv) | | 8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D) | |
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| | International Cultural Exchange Visitors | |
| Q-1 | International cultural exchange visitors | Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker | INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.2(q) | |
| Q-2 | Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program (Walsh Visas) | Walsh Visa Program | INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(l) | | 8 CFR 214.2(q)(15) | |
| Q-3 | Spouse or child of Q-2 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(ll) | | 8 CFR 214.2(q)(15) | |
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| | Religious Workers | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Religious Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| R-1 | Religious workers | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) | | 8 CFR 214.2(r) | |
| R-2 | Spouse or child of R-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) | | 8 CFR 214.2(r) | |
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| | Witness or Informant | |
| S-5 | Informant of criminal organization information | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(i) | |
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| S-6 | Informant of terrorism information | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(ii) | |
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| T | Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons | Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
Fact Sheet on T Application Process
Dept. of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
Dept. of State: Foreign Affairs Manual, Section 41.84 |
| T-1 | Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(i) | | 8 CFR 214.11 | |
| T-2 | Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.11(o) | |
| T-3 | Child of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.11(o) | |
| T-4 | Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age) | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) | | 8 CFR 214.11(o) | |
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| | North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) | Dept. of State: Professionals Under NAFTA
Changes to NAFTA and new 2004 Trade Agreements |
| TN | Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans | | INA Section 214(e)(2) | | 8 CFR 214.6
Canadians: 8 CFR 214.6(d)
Mexicans: 8 CFR 214.6(e) | |
| TD | Spouse or child accompanying TN- | | INA Section 214(e)(2) | | 8 CFR 214.6(j) | |
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| | Transit Without Visa | |
| TWOV | Passenger | | INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) | | 8 CFR 212.1(f) | |
| TWOV | Crew | | INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) | | 8 CFR 212.1(f) | |
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| U | Victims of Certain Crimes | |
| U-1 | Victim of Certain Criminal Activity< td> | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) | | | |
| U-2 | Spouse of U-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) | | | |
| U-3 | Child of U-1 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) | | | |
| U-4 | Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) | | |
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| | Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries | How Do I Become a V-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Permanent Resident?
Dept. of State: The New K and V Visas |
| V-1 | Spouse of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based petition (Form I-130) which was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) | | 8 CFR 214.15 | |
| V-2 | Child of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) that was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years. | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) | | 8 CFR 214.15 | |
| V-3 | The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2 | | INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) | | 8 CFR 214.15 | |
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| | Humanitarian Parole | Immigration.gov Information on Humanitarian Parole |
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| | Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Protected Status
How Do I Apply for Temporary Protected Status? |
| TPS | Temporary Protected Status | | INA Section 244 | | 8 CFR 244 | |