The USA visa program is a complex system consisting of various visa application programs which are categorically divided into – nonimmigrant visa and immigrant visas. An immigrant visa is a type of visa that gives permanent residence to the holder while a nonimmigrant visa is a type of visa that is only for a particular period of time. An immigrant visa does not need a sponsor and a nonimmigrant visa may require a sponsor which may be either the family or employer.
Types of US Visa application Program
Non-immigrant Visas include:
1. E-1 (Treaty Trader Visa)
This type of visa is available for employees and self-employed persons which can be extended indefinitely but need to be renewed every two to five years. The visa is not only for business owners but also for service providers in different sectors like transportation, banking and insurance.
2. B-1 (Business visitors)
This is a temporary visa for persons who are travelling to the United State for business activities. Individuals with this type of visa are not allowed to work, and the visa cannot be extended. The applicant must also show that he is only staying in the US temporarily presenting his plans to the immigration officer.
3. E-2 Visa (Treaty Investors)
This is a type of visa for individuals who are willing to live in the US to achieve their dream by starting their own business in the country. The E-2 investor visa is for countries who have maintained treaties of commerce and navigation with the United State. This is based on the conclusion of the Treaty of Friendship, commerce and Navigation between the US and the German country on October 29, 1954.
4. H-1B (Temporary workers)
The H-1B visa is a type of visa that allows individuals who are willing to work in U.S company only for a temporary period of time. The benefit of this visa is more for visa applicants as no special requirements are needed as he/she is not required to hold a managerial position in the company.
5. H-2B (Temporary non-agricultural workers)
This is a type of temporary visa that allows individuals to work temporarily in the country and only for non-agricultural employees looking forward to work in the country. This type of visa is also for a certain number of countries including: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, etc.
6. L-1 Visa (Work Visa)
This is a type of visa which is for entrepreneurs and business owners who are willing to establish their business in the US. This type of visa is an alternative to the E-2 visa.
7. O Visa (Work Visa for Talented Individuals)
This type of visa is usually for artists, actors, athletes, dancers, etc who are willing to work and live in the US for a particular period of time. This visa is divided into three main sub-categories: the O-1A visa, O-1B visa, O-2 Visa. While O-1A and O-1B are for individuals with special abilities, O-2 visas are for spouses or children of O-1A or O-1B. You can check online for more information on O Visa.
Immigrant Visas include:
1. Family Immigration
This is a type of immigrant visa only for people whose relatives are citizens of the United States. These visas are available for the spouse, unmarried child or parents,
2. Fiancé Visa:
This is a type of visa for the finance of a US citizen. A financé is an individual you love and you’re legally free to marry each other and this type of visa may require you guys to marry within the 90 days of entering the US.
3. Employment Visa
It is an employment based visa. Even though this requires you to have a job offer from a US based citizen. Other immigrants visa include:
4. Special Immigrants visa
This type of immigrant visa is mainly for people like an immigrant employed by the US, an immigrant who served as a minister with a bonfide nonprofit, etc. This visa grants permanent residence to the people who aided the US government abroad.
5. Diversity Immigrants visa
This is a type of visa for immigrants whose countries have a low immigration rate. It is also known as the Green card lottery game. The lottery is controlled by the department of state under the immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The applicants enter the lottery game by completing a form on the US website for free of charge.
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How to Apply for US Visa Application
The following are the steps to apply for a US visa:
Step 1: Apply Online
You need to apply online by filling the DS 160 form online here. The form is mainly for applicants who’s applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
Step 2: Scheduling your Appointment
Before scheduling your appointment, you need to make payment for the visa fee except if your fees are being sponsored by your employer or sponsor.
Step 3: Gather your documents
During your appointment you will need to submit major documents like valid ID Passport number, the CGI reference number on your visa payment receipt (click here on how to identify the number) and the ten digit barcode number from the DS – 160 page. This document will be used to process your appointment letter for an interview and continuing other processes. Other supporting documents include:
- Tax payments proof
- Proof of income
- Proof Business ownership
- An employment letter including your position, salary, history of payment, etc.
- Criminal records
- School transcript, results if you are applying for student visa
Step 4: Attend your appointment date
You need to visit the US Embassy on the date and time of your interview. On your appointment day, you will need to bring along your appointment letter, photograph, and a copy of DS -160 confirmation page.
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What are the requirements and Eligibility criteria for a US visa application program?
Every US visa program requires a specific type of requirements and eligibility criterion. But the following includes the major needs to apply for a US visa:
- A valid job offer for working visa
- Family documents like birth Certificate, marriage certificate, family pictures, etc.
- Proof of visa payment fee
- Valid ID passport
- A passport photograph
- Online nonimmigrant form (DS-160 online form)
- Invitation letter from US citizen, sponsors or employer.
- Travel Plans
- Employment letter
- Language Proficiency Tests results, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What type of visas are open for people willing to come to the US?
The US Visas are open to many citizens across the world but the type of visas you will need depends on your purpose of visitation. The nonimmigrant visas are mainly for people coming to the US temporarily and immigrants visas are for permanent residence.
- What is Administrative Processing?
Not all visas take additional time for final approval but some visas take more time than usual for administrative processing. For more info, click here
- Do I have a problem when my visa expires in the United States?
If your visa expires while you’re in the United States, you have no problem at all because your period of stay will also be with the department of homeland security, customs and Border protection immigration officer. You should have your admission stamp (paper from I-194 documents during your authorised stay in the country.