Temporary Visas Brief Overview

The temporary visa classification (also non as non-immigrant visas or NIV) covers a broad range of visas used to enter the U.S. for work, pleasure or study for various periods of time.

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa- allows for visits to the U.S. for business or pleasure for short durations.

E-1 Treaty Trade and Investors Visa- allows foreign nationals from countries that the U.S. has entered into a trade treaty with who desires to either engage in substantial trade with the U.S. or work for an enterprise that does substantial trade with the U.S.

F-1/M-1 Student Visa- foreign individuals seeking to pursue a full course of study at a U.S. school may be eligible for a visa for the course of their study.

H-1B Specialty Workers Visa- professionals with at least a bachelor's degree (or its equivalent work experience) may be eligible to temporarily perform services in a specialty occupation to a U.S. employer.

H-2A Agricultural Worker Visa- allows for foreign workers entry to the U.S. to work in agriculture.

H-2B Temporary Nonagricultural Worker Visa- allows foreign nationals to come to the U.S. to temporarily fill nonagricultural jobs for which U.S. workers are in short supply.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa- allows foreign nationals to participate in exchange visitor programs in order to promote the sharing of individuals knowledge and skills in education, arts and the sciences.

K-1 Fiance(e) Visa- allows entry to foreign nationals intending to enter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen. 

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa- allows entry to foreign national executives, managers and certain employees with special knowledge, transferring to their employer's U.S. place of business.

O-1 Persons of Extraordinary Ability in the Arts, Athletics, Science, Business and Education Visa- allows foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in the arts, athletics, sciences, business, and education to enter the U.S. for temporary periods of time.

P-1 Outstanding Athletes, Athletic Teams and Entertainment Companies Visa- allows athletic teams, and entertainers that have been internationally recognized as outstanding for a long and continuous amount of time to enter the U.S. for temporary periods of time.

R-1 Religious Worker Visa- allows certain religious workers to temporarily enter the U.S.

TN NAFTA Temporary Worker Visa- allows certain individuals from Canada and Mexico, under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), to temporarily enter the U.S. and work in qualified professional occupations.

OTHER VISAS

K-3 Spouse Visa- allows spouses of U.S. citizens, who are living outside the U.S., to enter the U.S. and subsequently adjust their status.

U Victim of Violence Visa- allows noncitizens who have suffered substantial physical or mental abuse and who have been helpful or are likely to be helpful with the investigation or prosecution of the case.

V LIFE Act Visa- allows the spouse or child of a U.S. lawful permanent resident (LPR), who is outside the U.S. and has been waiting at least 3 years since the I-130 was filed, to live an work in the U.S.