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Visa Categories

Non-Immigrant Visa Categories

There are various types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors to travel to the United States. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. It's important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel, and the steps required to apply for the visa.

Review the chart below. Please click on the relevant link for further information.  

Petition-based Visas:

Visa Category Description Application Fee
H Visa Temporary Work Visa $150
L Visa Intra-company transferees $150
O or P Visa Persons with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics $150
Q Visa Visa International Cultural Exchange $150
R Visa Visa Religious Worker $150
CW Visa CNMI-Only Transitional Worker Visa $150
K Visa Fiancé(e) Visa $350
E-2C Visa CNMI-Only Investor Visa $390

If you want to work in the U.S. temporarily, you need a specific visa based on the purpose of your travel and type of work you will be doing. For some temporary worker categories, your sponsor or employer is required to file a petition, Form I-129, on your behalf with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Once the petition is approved, you may apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Non-Petition-based Visas:

Visa Category Description Application Fee
A/G/C-3 Visa Diplomatic, Government Official/Employees of an International Organization/Diplomatic, Official Transit Visas No fee
B-1 Visa Business visitors, Domestic Employees $140
B-2 Visa Holiday, tourism, medical treatment $140
C Visa Transiting the United States $140
D Visa Crewmembers working on air or sea carriers $140
F-1/M-1 Visa Students: academic & vocational $140
I Visa Journalists & Members of the Media $140
J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor, Academics, Au-pairs, Interns $140 *Exemption for certain J programs
TN/TD Visa NAFTA Professionals $140
T Visa Victim of Trafficking in Persons $140
U Visa Victim of Criminal Activity $140
E-1/E-2 Visa Treaty Trader/Investor $390
E-3 Visa Australian professional specialty $390

If you want to travel to the U.S. for business, pleasure, study, or transit, no petition is required before you apply for a visa. You may apply for a visa directly at the Embassy/Consulate with the required documents listed on the website.

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