Nonimmigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant visas allow people to enter the United States for a specific purpose within a specified time frame. Unlike green cards, they are temporary and do not directly lead to U.S. citizenship. If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services believes that a person who has entered the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa does not intend to leave, the visa is revoked and the person is removed from the country.

All of the nonimmigrant visa categories have specific eligibility requirements. These are some of the currently existing visa categories:

1. Ambassadors, accredited officials, their families and personal employees
2. Business and tourist visitors
3. Foreign travelers
4. Crewmen needing to temporarily land in the U.S.
5. Treaty traders, investors, and their families
6. Academic students and their families
7. Representatives of foreign governments and their families
8. Temporary workers and specialty occupations
9. Foreign press
10. Participants in study, work, or training exchange programs and their families
11. Fiancés and spouses of U.S. citizens and their minor children
12. Intracompany transferees and their families
13. Vocational students and their families
14. Children of special immigrants
15. Persons of extraordinary ability in arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics, and their families and support staff
16. Entertainers, athletes, and their families
17. Cultural exchange visitors and their families
18. Religious workers and their families
19. Government witnesses and informants and their families
20. Women and children who are victims of trafficking
21. Victims of criminal abuse
22. Spouses and children of green card holders who meet certain criteria

The attorneys at The Carnes Law Firm can advise you on what nonimmigrant visa to apply for and help you navigate the application process.

Call our office at 314-353-1001 to discuss your case.