Which visa do I need?
There are several types of visas for temporary visitors to the U.S. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
- Business and Tourism
- Diplomatic and Official
- Academic and Exchange Visitors
- Group
- Temporary Work
- Crewmember
- Medical Treatment
For information on the application process, please click here.
Applicants for temporary visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law.
The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for most types of visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating:
The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment;
They plan to remain for a limited period of time;
Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit. There is no specific list of criteria that constitutes binding ties and it is up to each applicant to explain what those ties. Binding ties generally refer to family, social, economic and other ties.