Directory of Visa Categories and Eligibility
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.
Visa Categories
Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
The chart below contains many different purposes of temporary travel and the related nonimmigrant visa categories available on this website. When you change from one visa status to another one, file I-539 to USCIS for change of status.
Select a visa category below to learn more:
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category | Required: Before applying for visa* |
|---|---|---|
| Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only) | B-1 | (NA) |
| Au pair (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| Australian professional specialty | E-3 | DOL |
| Border Crossing Card: Mexico | BCC | (NA) |
| Business visitor | B-1 | (NA) |
| CNMI-only transitional worker | CW-1 | (USCIS) |
| Crewmember | D | (NA) |
| Diplomat or foreign government official | A | (NA) |
| Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign national employer | B-1 | (NA) |
| Employee of a designated international organization or NATO | G1-G5 NATO |
(NA) |
| Exchange visitor | J | SEVIS |
| Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States | A-2 NATO1-6 |
(NA) |
| Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics | O | USCIS |
| Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional: Chile, Singapore |
H-1B1 - Chile H-1B1 - Singapore |
DOL |
| International cultural exchange visitor | Q | USCIS |
| Intra-company transferee | L | USCIS |
| Medical treatment, visitor for | B-2 | (NA) |
| Media, journalist | I | (NA) |
| NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada | TN/TD | (NA) |
| Performing athlete, artist, entertainer | P | USCIS |
| Physician | J, H-1B | SEVIS |
| Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor) | J | SEVIS |
| Religious worker | R | USCIS |
| Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge | H-1B | DOL then USCIS |
| Student: academic, vocational | F, M | SEVIS |
| Temporary agricultural worker | H-2A | DOL then USCIS |
| Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature. | H-2B | DOL then USCIS |
| Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor | B-2 | (NA) |
| Training in a program not primarily for employment | H-3 | USCIS |
| Treaty trader/treaty investor | E | (NA) |
| Transiting the United States | C | (NA) |
| Victim of Criminal Activity | U | USCIS |
| Victim of Human Trafficking | T | USCIS |
| Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) | V | (NA) |
| Renewals in the U.S. - A, G, and NATO Visas | (NA) |
*What the abbreviations above mean - Before applying for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate, the following is required:
- DOL = The U.S. employer must obtain foreign labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, prior to filing a petition with USCIS.
- USCIS = U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval of a petition or application (The required petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to apply for.)
- SEVIS = Program approval entered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
- (NA) = Not Applicable - Additional approval by another U.S. government agency is not required prior to applying for a visa
Important Notes:
- About this chart – It is not a complete list of all travel purposes for the visa category. Select a visa category webpage for more information. The chart lists almost all nonimmigrant visa categories, with the exception of several not listed above. Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 402.1 for all nonimmigrant visa categories.
- Canadian NAFTA Professional workers – A visa not required; apply to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at border port of entry.
- K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé(e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
Immigrant Visa Categories
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category | |
|---|---|---|
| I-130 Petition | Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition | K-3 * | |
| Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. | K-1 * | |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 | |
| Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 | |
| Certain Family Members of Lawful Permanent Residents | F2A, F2B | |
| Employer Sponsored – Employment | Visa Category | |
| I-140/I-526 Petition |
Employment-Based Immigrants, including (preference group):
|
E1 E2 E3, EW3 C5, T5, R5, I5 S (many**) |
| Religious Workers | SD, SR | |
| I-140/I-526 Petition | Iraqi and Afghan Translators/Interpreters | SI |
| Iraqis Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ | |
| Afghans Who Worked for/on Behalf of the U.S. Government | SQ | |
| Other Immigrants | Visa Category | |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa | DV | |
| Returning Resident | SB |
For Eligibility, please compare your background to the chart below:
Green Card (Immigrant Visa) Eligibility Categories
In order to apply for a Green Card, you must be eligible under one of the categories listed below. Once you find the category that may fit your situation, click on the link provided to get information on eligibility requirements, how to apply, and whether your family members can also apply with you.
Green Card through Family
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you are the… |
|---|---|
| Immediate relative of a U.S. citizen |
|
| Other relative of a U.S. citizen or relative of a lawful permanent resident under the family-based preference categories |
|
| Fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen or the fiancé(e)’s child |
|
| Widow(er) of a U.S. citizen | Widow or widower of a U.S. citizen and you were married to your U.S. citizen spouse at the time your spouse died |
| VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery or extreme cruelty |
|
Green Card through Employment
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Immigrant worker |
|
| Physician National Interest Waiver | Are a physician who agrees to work full-time in clinical practice in a designated underserved area for a set period of time and also meets other eligibility requirements |
| Immigrant investor |
Have invested or are actively in the process of investing at least $1 million (or $500,000 in a targeted employment area) in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. which will create full-time positions for at least 10 qualifying employees *The policy may have changed. Check USCIS for the latest requirements. |
Green Card as a Special Immigrant
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Religious worker | Are a member of a religious denomination coming to the U.S. to work for a nonprofit religious organization |
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| Afghanistan or Iraq national |
|
| International broadcaster | Are coming to work in the U.S. as a member of the media |
| Employee of an international organization or family member or NATO-6employee or family member | Are a retired officer or employee of certain international organizations, or NATO, and certain family members |
Green Card through Refugee or Asylee Status
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Asylee | Were granted asylum status at least 1 year ago |
| Refugee | Were admitted as a refugee at least 1 year ago |
Green Card for Human Trafficking and Crime Victims
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Human trafficking victim | Currently have a T nonimmigrant visa |
| Crime victim | Currently have a U nonimmigrant visa |
Green Card for Victims of Abuse
| You may be eligible to apply as a… | If you… |
|---|---|
| VAWA self-petitioner– victim of battery orextreme cruelty |
|
| Special Immigrant Juvenile | Are a child who has been abused, abandoned, or neglected by your parent and you have SIJ status |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | The abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under Haitian Refugee Immigrant Fairness Act (HRIFA) | The abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
Green Card through Other Categories
| You may be eligible to apply under this category… | If you… |
|---|---|
| Liberian Refugee Immigration Fairness (LRIF) |
Are a Liberian national who has been continuously physically present in the United States since Nov. 20, 2014, or Are the spouse, child under age 21, or unmarried son or daughter over the age of 21 of a qualifying Liberian national. |
| Diversity Immigrant Visa Program | Were selected for a diversity visa in the Department of State’s diversity visa lottery |
| Cuban Adjustment Act |
|
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under the Cuban Adjustment Act | Are the abused spouse or child of a Cuban native or citizen |
| Dependent status under the HRIFA | Are the spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) |
| An abused (victim of battery or extreme cruelty) spouse or child under HRIFA | Are the abused spouse or child of a lawful permanent resident who received his or her Green Card based on HRIFA |
| Lautenberg parolee | Were paroled into the U.S. as a Lautenberg parolee |
| Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act of 2000 | Are a native or citizen of Vietnam, Kampuchea (Cambodia), or Laos who was paroled into the U.S. on or before Oct. 1, 1997 from Vietnam under the Orderly Departure Program, a refugee camp in East Asia, or a displaced person camp administered by UNHCR in Thailand. |
| American Indian born in Canada | Were born in Canada, possess at least 50% American Indian blood, and maintain your principal residence in the United States. |
| Person born in the United States to a foreign diplomat | Were born in the United States to a foreign diplomatic officer who was stationed in the U.S. when you were born. |
| Section 13 (diplomat) | Were stationed in the United States as a foreign diplomat or high ranking official and are unable to return home |
The chart below contains different purposes for immigrating to the United States, and the related immigrant visa categories for which information is available on this website. Select a visa category below to learn more.
Important Notes:
- *K Visas – Listed with immigrant visas because they are for immigration related purposes.
- About this chart - This chart is a list of many immigrant visa categories, but not every immigrant visa category.
- **Refer to the Foreign Affairs Manual, 9 FAM 502.1 for a listing of all immigrant visa categories.