What are the main categories of US visas?
US visas are grouped into nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visas for permanent residence, with each category tied to a specific purpose such as work, study, business or family. The letter and number of a visa category, such as B-1 or H-1B, identifies the specific purpose it covers.
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How it works
Each nonimmigrant category has its own eligibility rules, application process and permitted activities, and holding one category does not permit activities reserved for another. Immigrant visas lead toward permanent residence and follow a different process, often requiring a sponsor.
Commonly mixed up with
A visa and a visa waiver entry are sometimes used interchangeably in conversation. They are different mechanisms with different eligibility rules and different permitted activities.
What are the main categories of US visas?
| Knowledge, New York | Legal, visa and entry |
|---|---|
| Short answer | US visas are grouped into nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visas for permanent residence, with each category tied to a specific purpose such as work, study, business or family. The letter and number of a visa category, such as B-1 or H-1B, identifies the specific purpose it covers. |
| How it works | Each nonimmigrant category has its own eligibility rules, application process and permitted activities, and holding one category does not permit activities reserved for another. Immigrant visas lead toward permanent residence and follow a different process, often requiring a sponsor. |
| Commonly mixed up with | A visa and a visa waiver entry are sometimes used interchangeably in conversation. They are different mechanisms with different eligibility rules and different permitted activities. |
| Last reviewed | 2026-08-08 |
Short questions
- What is a B-1 or B-2 visa for?
- B-1 covers business visitors and B-2 covers tourism and visiting, both for temporary stays.
- What is an H-1B visa?
- It is a nonimmigrant work visa for specialty occupations, subject to an annual cap in most cases.
- Can a visa be extended?
- Some nonimmigrant categories allow extension of stay applications, subject to conditions.
- Does a visa guarantee entry?
- No, a visa allows travel to a US port of entry, and an officer decides admission there.
- Where are the categories listed?
- USCIS and the State Department publish the full list of visa categories.
Sources
More in this track
- What is the difference between ESTA and a visa?
- What counts as work authorization in the United States?
- What happens at entry inspection when arriving in the US?
- What are the customs allowances for entering the US?
- Can you drive in New York on a foreign driver's license?
- What is the difference between a New York State ID and a driver's license?
- Who is eligible for the Visa Waiver Program?
- Can you change visa status while already in the United States?
- What is the difference between a green card and a nonimmigrant visa?
These pages explain how the rules work and link the authority that owns them. They are not legal, tax or immigration advice, and amounts and thresholds change, so open the source before you act.
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