Obtaining a U.S. Visa

United States Visas

A brief explaination of what a visa is and which types exists are explained below (taken directly from www.unitedstatesvisas.gov

If you're a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you'll need a visa to enter the United States.

A visa doesn't permit entry to the U.S., however. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you're eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of State.

A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

Categories of Temporary Visas:

• (B-1/B-2) - Visitors of Business or Pleasure
  
• (D-1) - Crewmen
  
• (E-1) - Treaty Traders
  
• (E-2) - Treaty Investors
  
• (E-3) - Australian Professionals
  
• (F-1) - Student Visa - more information can be obtained here.
  
• (H-1B) - Temporary Professional Workers
  
• (H-1B) - Temporary Agricultural Workers
  
• (H-2B) - Temporary Skilled and Unskilled Workers
  
• (H-3) - Trainees
  
• (I) - Foreign Journalists
  
• (J-1) - Exchange Visitor Visa - more information can be obtained here.
  
• (K-1) - Fiancees of U.S. Citizens
  
• (K-3) - Spouses of U.S. Citizens
  
• (L-1) - Intracompany Transferees
  
• (M-1) - Vocational Students
  
• (O) - Persons of Extraordinary Ability
  
• (P) - Athletes and Entertainers
  
• (Q) - International Cultural Exchange Visitors
  
• (R) - Religious Workers
  
• (S) - Witnesses and Informants
  
• (T) - Victims of Human Trafficking
  
• (T and U) - Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
  
• (TN) - Canadian and Mexican Professionals Under NAFTA ("TN")
  
• (V) - Certain Spouses and Children of Permanent Residents
  

Categories of Permanent Visas:

• Family Immigration
  
• Adopting a Child
  
• Marriage fo a Foreignn National
  
• Diversity Visa Program (Diversity Visa Lottery) - more information can be obtained here.
  
• Employment Visa
  
• Employment: Iraqi or Afghan translator/interpreters
  
• Employment: Iraqis - Worked for/on behalf of US Government
  
• Employment: Religious Workers
  

Useful Links:

Visa information to prospective students.
How to get a U.S. Visa.
Locate a consulate office.
Answers to frequently asked questions

Visa Statistics - Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas Issued at Foreign Service Posts - 2007:

Immigrant Categories:

Immediate Relatives - 154,760

Special Immigrants - 701

Vietnam Amerasian immigrants - 102
Family Sponsored Preference - 131,407
Employment-Based Preference - 29,712
Armed Forces Special Immigrants - 1
DV Diversity Transition (Lottery) - 48,085
Schedule A Worker - 0

Total - 364,768

Nonimmigrant Categories:

Visas Issued - 4,881,632

Border Crossing Cards - 0
(B1/B2/BCCs) - [836,407]

Total - 4,881,632