document_title: Visa policy of the United States

question_text: how many types of usa visa are there

question_tokens: how many types of usa visa are there

text: Visa policy of the United States

text: Overview[edit]

text: Entry visas[edit]

text: A foreign national wishing to enter the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands must obtain a visa unless he or she is

text:
a permanent resident of the U.S.
a Citizen of the Compact of Free Association states: Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau
a Citizen of Canada, including those applying for TN status at the border, or a British Overseas Territories citizen with a connection to Bermuda
a Citizen of one of the 38 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program
a Citizen of The Bahamas or a British Overseas Territories citizen with a connection to British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands or Turks and Caicos Islands, under certain conditions
holding a Form I-512 ("Authorization for Parole of an Alien into the United States")

text: Mexican citizens may travel to the U.S. without a passport under limited circumstances if holding a Border Crossing Card and seeking to enter the U.S. for less than 72 hours while remaining in the "border zone".[2][3][4]

text: While there are about 185 different types of visas,[5] there are two main categories of U.S. visas:

text:
Nonimmigrant visa - for temporary visits such as for tourism, business, work, visiting family, or studying.
Immigrant visa - for people to immigrate to the United States. At the port of entry, the immigrant visa holder is processed for a permanent resident card (I-551, often known as a 'green card'). Upon endorsement (CBP admission stamp) it serves as temporary I-551 evidencing permanent residence for 1 year.

text: In order to immigrate, one should either have an immigrant visa or have a dual intent visa, which is one that is compatible with making a concurrent application for permanent resident status, or having an intention to apply for permanent residence.

text: Entering the U.S. on an employment visa may be described as a three-step process in most cases.[5] First, the employer files an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requesting a particular type of category visa for a specific individual.[5] If the employer's application is approved, it only authorizes the individual to apply for a visa; the approved application is not actually a visa.[5] The individual then applies for a visa and is usually interviewed at a U.S. embassy or consulate in the native country.[5] If the embassy or consulate gives the visa, the individual is then allowed to travel to the U.S.[5] At the border crossing, airport, or other point of entry into the U.S., the individual speaks with an officer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ask for admission to the U.S.[5] If approved, the individual may then enter the U.S.[5]

text: Contrary to a popular misconception, a U.S. visa does not authorize the alien's entry to the United States, nor does it authorize the alien's stay in the U.S. in a particular status. A U.S. visa only serves as a preliminary permission given to the alien to travel to the United States and to seek admission to the United States at a designated port of entry. The final admission to the United States in a particular status and for a particular period of time is made at the port of entry by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. For aliens entering the U.S. in a nonimmigrant visa status these details are recorded by the CBP officer on the alien's Form I-94 (Form I-94W for citizens of the Visa Waiver Program countries entering the U.S. for short visits), which serves as the official document authorizing the alien's stay in the United States in a particular non-immigrant visa status and for a particular period of time.[6] 50,000 additional visas are available each year under the visa lottery program. In the last few years more than 9 million people have participated in the visa lottery.[7]

text: Exit visas[edit]

text: Exit visas are not required.

text: However, the U.S. government has required all foreign and U.S. nationals departing the US by air for Canada, Mexico, Bermuda or countries in the Caribbean other than the French West Indies to hold a valid passport (or certain specific passport replacing documents) since October 1, 2007. Even though travelers might not require a passport to enter a certain country, they will require a valid passport booklet (booklet only, U.S. Passport Card not accepted) when attempting to depart the U.S. in order to satisfy the U.S. immigration authorities.[8] Exemptions to this requirement to hold a valid passport booklet include:

text:
U.S. Permanent Resident/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551);
U.S. Military ID Cards when traveling on official orders;
U.S. Merchant Mariner Card;
NEXUS Card;
U.S. Travel Document:

Refugee Travel Document (Form I-571); or
Permit to Re-Enter (Form I-327)

Emergency Travel Document (e.g. Consular Letter) issued by a Foreign Embassy or Consulate specifically for the purpose of travel to the bearer's home country.
Nationals of Mexico holding one of the following documents:

(expired) Matricula Consular; or
Birth Certificate with consular registration; or
Certificate of Nationality issued by a Mexican consulate abroad; or
Certificate of Military Duty (Cartilla Militar); or
Voter's Certificate (Credencial IFE or Credencial para Votar).

text: Visa policy map[edit]

text: Visa exemption[edit]

text: General exemption[edit]

text: Four Countries and Bermuda have visa exemption access to the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including three that are linked with Compacts of Free Association.[9] Citizens of these jurisdictions are generally not required to apply for visas or pre-approval registrations prior to arrival.

text:
Canada - Citizens of Canada do not require a visa to enter the United States under most circumstances, and can work under special simplified procedure.[10] They may use a NEXUS Card instead of a passport to enter the country from Canada, or, if arriving by land or sea, an Enhanced Drivers License.[11][12][13]
 Bermuda - British Overseas Territories citizens with a connection to Bermuda can enter the United States visa-free under most circumstances if their intended stay is less than six months.[10] To qualify, they must present a Bermudian passport which fulfills the following criteria: the front cover has printed on it "Government of Bermuda", the holder's nationality must be stated as either "British Overseas Territory Citizen" or "British Dependent Territories Citizen", the passport must contain one of the following endorsement stamps: "Holder is registered as a Bermudian", "Holder Possesses Bermudian Status" or "Holder is deemed to possess Bermudian status".[14]

text: Citizens of the following countries, linked with the U.S. by the Compacts of Free Association, do not require a visa to enter, reside, study, and work indefinitely in the United States:

text:
Marshall Islands[15]
 Micronesia[15]
 Palau[16]

text:
[show]Date of granting visa-free entry

Canadian citizens have never needed a visa to gain access to the United States[17]
1986: Marshall Islands and Micronesia
1994: Palau

text: Visa Waiver Program[edit]

text: Currently, 38 countries have been selected by the US government for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program and their citizens do not need to acquire a US visa (but are required to get an electronic authorization if arriving by air or cruise ship[18]) to visit the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands:[19]

text:
Andorra
 Australia
 Austria
 Belgium
 Brunei
 Chile
 Czech Republic
 Denmark
 Estonia
 Finland
 France
 Germany
 Greece

 Hungary
 Iceland
 Ireland
 Italy
 Japan
 Latvia
 Liechtenstein
 Lithuania
 Luxembourg
 Malta
 Monaco
 Netherlands
 New Zealand

 Norway
 Portugal
 San Marino
 Singapore
 Slovakia
 Slovenia
 South Korea
 Spain
 Sweden
  Switzerland
 Taiwan1
 United Kingdom2

text:
^ – Citizens with Taiwanese national ID number only.
^ – Only British citizens are eligible to participate in the VWP.[20]

tag: ol

text:
[show]Date of addition to Visa Waiver Program

1 July 1988: United Kingdom
15 December 1988: Japan
1 July 1989: France and Switzerland
15 July 1989: Germany and Sweden
29 July 1989: Italy and Netherlands
29 July 1991: Monaco
1 October 1991: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino and Spain
29 July 1993: Brunei
1 April 1995: Ireland
29 July 1996: Australia
30 September 1997: Slovenia
9 August 1999: Portugal and Singapore
17 November 2008: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia and South Korea
5 April 2010: Greece
1 November 2012: Taiwan
28 February 2014: Chile

Cancelled:

Argentina was added to the program on 8 July 1996 and removed from the list from 21 February 2002.[21]
Uruguay was added to the program on 9 August 1999 and removed from the list from 15 April 2003.[22]

text: Visitors may stay for 90 days in the United States which also includes the time spent in Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, or the islands in the Caribbean if the arrival was through the United States.

text: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is not a visa. Rather, obtaining a travel authorization from ESTA is a prerequisite to travelling by air or sea to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program.[23] ESTA authorization, once obtained, is valid for two years unless during that time the person obtains a new passport or his/her answers to any of the eligibility questions change.[24] VWP does not apply if a passenger is not arriving on an approved air or sea carrier.

text: The United States Department of Homeland Security extended the scope of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. As of January 2016[update], visa waivers do not apply where a person has previously traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen on or after 1 March 2011 or for those who remain nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Syria in addition to the nationality that would otherwise entitle them to a visa waiver. Instead, they are now required to go through the process to obtain a visa.[25] Certain categories such as diplomats, military, journalists, humanitarian workers or legitimate businessmen may have their visa requirement waived by the Secretary of Homeland Security.[26]

text: Other arrangements[edit]

text: Citizens of the following country can travel without obtaining a visa for the United States only under certain conditions:

text: Bahamas – Bahamian citizens do not require a visa to enter the United States if they apply for entry at one of the Preclearance Facilities located in Nassau or Freeport International Airports. Bahamian citizens must not have had a criminal conviction or ineligibility, violated U.S. immigration laws in the past and must be in possession of valid, unexpired Bahamian passport or a Bahamian Travel Document indicating that they have Bahamian citizenship. In addition to a passport, all applicants 14 years of age or older must present a police certificate issued by the Royal Bahamas Police Force within the past six months. All Bahamians applying for admission at a port-of-entry other than the pre-clearance facilities located in Nassau or Freeport International airports are required to be in possession of a valid visa to enter the United States.[27]

text: British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs) by virtue of their connection to one of the following territories may elect to travel with their British citizen passports with valid ESTA, or can alternatively use their BOTC passports to enter the U.S. in certain circumstances.

text:
British Virgin Islands - British Overseas Territories citizens by virtue of their connection to the British Virgin Islands may travel without a visa to the United States Virgin Islands with their British Virgin Islands passport. They may also continue travel to other parts of the United States if they present a Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the Royal Virgin Islands Police Department indicating no criminal record.[28][29]
 Cayman Islands – British Overseas Territories citizens with a connection to the Cayman Islands may travel without a visa to the U.S. To qualify, their Cayman Islands passports must confirm their British Overseas Territories citizenship and be endorsed by the Cayman Islands Passport and Corporate Services Office with a Cayman-U.S. visa waiver, issued at a cost of 25 Cayman Islands dollars and valid for one entry.[30][31] They must travel directly between the Cayman Islands and the United States and their Cayman Islands passport must also have a validity of at least six months beyond their intended departure date from the United States.[32] If Cayman Islanders elect to enter the U.S. using the Cayman-U.S. visa waiver, they are not required to apply for an ESTA online, since they are not entering under the VWP.
 Turks and Caicos Islands – British Overseas Territories Citizens by virtue of their connection to the Turks and Caicos Islands can enter the United States visa-free for short business and pleasure.[33] To qualify, they must not have had a criminal conviction or ineligibility, not violated U.S. immigration laws in the past and must arrive in the United States on a direct flight from the territory. In addition, they must present a Turks and Caicos Islands passport or a travel document which states that they are a British Overseas Territory citizen and have the right to abode in the Turks and Caicos Islands. In addition to a valid, unexpired passport, all travelers 14 years of age or older must present a police certificate issued by the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force within the past six months. All British Overseas Territories Citizens of the Turks and Caicos Islands who apply for admission at a port-of-entry that does not have direct air service to/from the territory, are required to be in possession of a valid visa to enter the United States.

text: Visa waiver programs of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands[edit]

text: Although the visa policy of the U.S. also applies to the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands in general, both territories have additional visa waiver programs for certain nationalities.[34][35] The Guam–CNMI Visa Waiver Program, first enacted in October 1988 and periodically amended, permits nationals from twelve countries in Asia, Europe and Oceania to enter the Northern Mariana Islands and Guam as tourists for up to 45 days without the need of obtaining a U.S. visa or an ESTA. A parole agreement enacted in 2009 provides two more countries visa-free access to the territories for 45 days:[36][37][38][39][40]

text:
Australia
 Brunei
 China1 2
 Hong Kong3
 Japan
 Malaysia
 Nauru

 New Zealand
 Papua New Guinea
 Russia1
 Singapore
 South Korea
 Taiwan4
 United Kingdom5

text:
1 - under a separate parole agreement.
2 - for the Northern Mariana Islands only.
3 - Must present a valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card on arrival.
4 - for holders of Taiwanese passports with a National ID number. Must present a valid Taiwanese national identity card on arrival. Must travel on a nonstop flight from Taiwan.
5 - for holders of British Citizen and British National (Overseas) passports only. British Nationals (Overseas) must present a valid Hong Kong permanent identity card on arrival in order to be eligible for the waiver.

text: Travelers with B-1/B-2 visa or ESTA are admitted to the territories in accordance with the terms of ESTA or visa.

text: Travelers utilizing the program or the parole are required to complete an I-736 form, hold a machine-readable passport and nonrefundable return ticket, and are not permitted to travel onwards to the contiguous United States. Because of special visa categories for the Northern Mariana Islands foreign workers, traveling between Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands still requires a full immigration inspection, and all visitors departing Guam or Northern Mariana Islands are inspected regardless of final destination.[41]

text: American Samoa[edit]

text: U.S. visa policy does not apply to the territory of American Samoa, as it has its own entry requirements and maintains control of its own borders. Hence, neither a U.S. visa nor an ESTA can be used to enter American Samoa. U.S. nationals may enter and remain indefinitely; nationals of countries in the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program may enter with an "OK to board", issued electronically, for visits not exceeding 30 days; nationals of other countries require an entry permit. The "OK to board" or entry permit cannot be obtained from a U.S. diplomatic mission, but from the Attorney General's Office of American Samoa.[42][43]

text: Government sources disagree on the exact list of countries in the American Samoa Entry Permit Waiver Program. One source has the same list as the U.S. Visa Waiver Program but does not include Canada,[42] while another source includes Canada but excludes Ireland.[43]

text: To obtain an "OK to board", travelers must send a copy of their passport (valid for at least 6 months after planned departure from American Samoa) and a copy of their round-trip or onward ticket by email to the Attorney General's Office of American Samoa, at least 48 hours before travel. They must also pay a fee of 20 USD, before travel or on arrival.[42][43]

text: To obtain an entry permit, travelers must have a local sponsor, who must provide either a deed of private land or signatures of the sa'o (head chief) and pulenu'u (village mayor) for communal land. Travelers must also provide a round-trip or onward ticket, clearances from the High Court of American Samoa, Lyndon B. Johnson Tropical Medical Center in Pago Pago, Department of Homeland Security of American Samoa, police and health clearances from the country of origin, and pay a fee of 40 USD. The application for an entry permit must be made at least 30 days before travel. Nationals of Samoa may apply for 7-day, 14-day or 30-day permits.[44]

text: Alaska[edit]

text: Residents of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug in Russia who are members of the indigenous population do not require a visa to visit Alaska if they have relatives (blood relatives, members of the same tribe, native people who have similar language and cultural heritage) in Alaska. Entry points are in Gambell and Nome.[45]

text: Individuals must be invited by a relative in Alaska, must notify local authorities at least ten days before traveling to Alaska, and must leave Alaska within 90 days.[45]

text: The agreement establishing this policy was signed by Russia and the United States on 23 September 1989. The United States made it effective as of 17 July 2015.[45]

text: Summary of visa exemptions[edit]

text:
Country or territory
Overland
Air/Cruise ship
All means of transport

50 States, District of Columbia
and Puerto Rico
United States
Virgin Islands
Guam
Northern Mariana
Islands
American Samoa
[Note 1]

 Canada
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Bermuda
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

 Marshall Islands
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

 Micronesia
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

 Palau
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No

 Australia
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Brunei
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Japan
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 New Zealand
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Singapore
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 South Korea
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Taiwan[Note 2]
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 United Kingdom[Note 3]
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
Yes
Yes
electronic authorization

 Andorra
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Austria
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Belgium
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Chile
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Czech Republic
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Denmark
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Estonia
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Finland
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 France
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Germany
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Greece
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Hungary
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Iceland
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Ireland
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Italy
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Latvia
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Liechtenstein
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Lithuania
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Luxembourg
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Malta
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Monaco
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Netherlands
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Norway
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Portugal
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 San Marino
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Slovakia
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Slovenia
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Spain
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Sweden
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

  Switzerland
Yes
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization
electronic authorization

 Bahamas
No
police certificate
No
No
No
No

 British Virgin Islands
No
police certificate
Yes
No
No
No

 Cayman Islands
No
police certificate
No
No
No
No

 Turks and Caicos Islands
No
police certificate
No
No
No
No

 Hong Kong[Note 4]
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No

 Malaysia
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No

 Nauru
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No

 Papua New Guinea
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No

 Russia
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
No

 China
No
No
No
No
Yes
No

text:
Jump up ^ Government sources disagree on whether nationals of Canada or Ireland require an entry permit for American Samoa.
Jump up ^ For holders of Taiwan passports containing a National ID number only. Must hold a National ID card if utilizing Guam-CNMI Visa Waiver Program.
Jump up ^ U.S., Puerto Rico, USVI and American Samoa waivers for British citizens only. Guam-CNMI waiver for British citizens and British Nationals (Overseas) only. BN(O)s must hold valid Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards.
Jump up ^ Must in conjunction hold a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card.

text: Visa or entry refused to nationals of certain countries[edit]

text: Visa refused (partly suspended)[edit]

text: Following the expiration of the Executive Order 13780 on September 24, 2017, President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation suspending the issuance of visas to nationals of certain countries:[46]

text:
Chad — suspended issuance of immigrant and B nonimmigrant visas.
 Iran — suspended issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas except F, M and J visas.
 Libya — suspended issuance of immigrant and B nonimmigrant visas.
 North Korea — suspended issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
 Somalia — suspended issuance of immigrant visas.
 Syria — suspended issuance of immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
 Venezuela — suspended issuance of B nonimmigrant visas for officials of government agencies of Venezuela involved in screening and vetting procedures.
 Yemen — suspended issuance of immigrant and B nonimmigrant visas.

text: The proclamination was scheduled to go into effect on 18 October 2017. However, on 17 October 2017, federal judge Derrick Watson of the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii granted a Temporary Restraining Order to all sections of the Presidential Proclamation except for the sections targeting North Korea and Venezuela.[47] A day later, judge Theodore D. Chuang of the United States District Court for the District of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction to "individuals with a bona fide relationship with an individual or entity in the United States" of all nationalities affected.[48]

text: Therefore, from 18 October 2017, nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen may continue to apply for U.S. visas, while nationals of North Korea and Venezuela affected by the proclamation may also apply for visas if they have "a bona fide relationship with an individual or entity in the United States".[49]

text: The restrictions for Chad, North Korea and Venezuela were originally scheduled to come into effect on 18 October 2017, while the other countries were subject to the same terms of Executive Order 13780 until that date.[49]

text: The suspension does not apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States, holders of existing visas, dual nationals traveling on a passport of a non-designated country, diplomats and persons granted asylum by the United States.[50]

text: Waivers may be issued by a consular or CBP officer where denying entry would cause undue hardship, would not pose a threat to the national security and public safety, and would be in the national interest.

text: Visa issuance restricted[edit]

text: Effective September 13, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security announced that the State Department would stop issuing certain visas at its consular offices in the following countries due to the lack of cooperation on removal matters:[51]

text:
Cambodia — issuance of all B visas for Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees, with the rank of Director General and above, and their families.
 Eritrea — issuance of all B visas.
 Guinea — all B, F, J, and M visas to Guinean government officials and their immediate family members.
 Sierra Leone — all B visas to Sierra Leonean Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials and immigration officials.

text: In addition, on 29 September 2017, the U.S. halted processing of all visas except family reunification visas at its embassy in Havana, Cuba.[52] However, nationals of Cuba may still apply for visas at other U.S. embassies or consulates.[53]

text: Visa refused (superseded)[edit]

text: On March 6, 2017, President Donald Trump signed a new executive order to suspend the issuance of visas to nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. The policy was originally intended to be in effect on March 16, 2017,[54][55] but was postponed to June 29, 2017.

text: Based on the newly issued memorandum, only individuals applying for B, C-1, C-3, D, or I visas were affected by the ban. Persons applying for visas belonging to another category (such as F, H, J or M visas) would not be affected. Individuals applying under the affected categories could still apply for a waiver which would be determined on a case-by-case basis.[56] For immigrant visa applicants, only those without a "bona-fide relationship" were affected, including those applying under the self-petitioning categories without a U.S. job offer and winners of diversity visas without a bona-fide connection to the U.S. Other categories, including family-based beneficiaries and employment-based applicants who already had jobs or job offers in the U.S., were not affected.[56]

text: The following individuals were not affected by the executive order and remained eligible to apply for visas or admission into the United States:[57]

text:
Green card holders;
Dual nationals travelling on a national passport issued by a country other than one of the designated countries;
Holders of valid visas or paroles (existing visas could be used for entry regardless of category, however if their visas were of an affected category and had been used or expired during this period, they would remain ineligible to apply for new visas unless qualified for a waiver);
Persons who had been granted asylum, refugee status, withholding of removal, advance parole, or protection under the Convention Against Torture before the implementation date.

text: The executive order superseded the previous one, and existing visas were no longer considered as revoked.[54]

text: Nationals of the six countries could still secure a visa if the consular officer was satisfied that they qualified for a waiver. Under the Supreme Court certiorari, waivers could be granted to persons who:[56]

text:
had "significant contacts", "significant business obligations" or "significant professional obligations" in the United States;
had immediate family members (only included parents, parents-in-law, spouses, fiancé(e)s, sons, daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and siblings) who legally resided in the United States (either as U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or holding nonimmigrant visas);
were infants, young children, adoptees, or in need of urgent medical care in the United States; or,
were permanent residents of Canada, provided that they applied for visas within Canada and held proof of permanent residence.

text: On March 15, 2017, Federal judges in Hawaii and Maryland issued temporary injunction orders against the executive order, suspending the visa ban hours before it went into effect. The judges cited that the ban violated the Establishment Clause of the first amendment of the U.S. constitution. Trump announced that he intended to take it "as far as it needs to go", hinting that the injunction would be challenged at the Supreme Court of the United States.[58] On March 30, 2017, the temporary injunction order issued by the federal judge in Hawaii was converted into a preliminary injunction order, suspending the executive order indefinitely.[59] On June 26, 2017, the Supreme Court granted certiorari and the government's request to stay the injunction, allowing the order to take effect for those without a "bona fide" relationship with a U.S. entity.[60] The implementation began at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on June 29, 2017.[61]

text: Admission refused (superseded)[edit]

text: A presidential executive order signed on 27 January 2017 introduced an entry ban for the nationals of certain countries for a period of 90 days, which expired on 27 April 2017. The executive order banned entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants travelling on passports issued by countries that were mentioned under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015:[62][63]

text:
State Sponsors of Terrorism:

 Iran (1984–present)
 Syria (1979–present; in a civil war since March 2011. The executive order also suspended any further resettlement of Syrian refugees indefinitely)
 Sudan (1993–present)

Countries of Particular concern (designated by the Obama administration):

 Iraq (removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list twice in 1982 and 2004; country in a civil war and ISIL insurgency since June 2014, following the aftermath of the US-led 2003 Iraq War)
 Libya (removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 2006; country in another civil war since May 2014)
 Somalia (due to Al-Shabaab insurgency and civil war since January 2009)
 Yemen (removed from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list in 1990; has an Al-Qaeda insurgency and a civil war since March 2015)

text: The order exempted diplomats and members of international organizations (such as the United Nations) from the ban.[64] U.S. diplomatic missions would not conduct interviews or process existing visa applications for holders of passports of these country until the ban was lifted.[65] However, Iraqi nationals who were applying for Special Immigrant Visas would be processed as normal.[64][66][67][68]

text: The guideline of the executive order later clarified that the ban applied to holders of any kind of U.S. immigrant or nonimmigrant visas from these countries except the following:[64]

text:
Green card holders;
Dual nationals travelling on a national passport issued by a country other than one of the designated countries;
Permanent residents of Canada, only when entering the U.S. from a land border with Canada or a Canadian airport with preclearance, and holding Canada Permanent Resident Cards;
Persons holding diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) visas, C-2 visas (for travel to the United Nations in New York City), and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas;
Iraqi nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas.

text: Several lawsuits were filed, challenging the executive order across the country. Federal senior judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington James Robart issued a temporary restraining order on the enforcement of the executive order 13769 in the case State of Washington v. Donald J. Trump on February 3, 2017. From February 4, 2017, the ban was de facto lifted and nationals of all designated countries were allowed to enter the United States.[66][67]

text: The executive order was superseded by another which also banned the ability to acquire visas for nationals of all above countries except Iraq.

text: Outlying islands[edit]

text: Visits to the United States Minor Outlying Islands – Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Island and Navassa Island – are severely restricted. Most of the islands are closed off, and prospective visitors require special permits, usually from the US army.[69][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79][80][81][82][83][84]

text: Qualification process[edit]

text: Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every nonimmigrant visa applicant (except certain employment-related applicants, who are exempt) is an intending immigrant unless otherwise proven. Therefore, applicants for most nonimmigrant visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

text:
The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for a specific, intended purpose;
They plan to remain for a specific, limited period; and
They have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will ensure their return at the end of their stay.

text: All visit, business, transit, student, and exchange visitor visa applicants must pay a US$160 application fee (up from $140 as of April 2012) to a US Consulate in order to be interviewed by a Consular Officer who will determine if the applicant is qualified to receive a visa to travel to the U.S (additionally, the officer may also ask the United States Department of State for a Security Advisory Opinion, which can take several weeks to resolve). The application fee is increased to $190 for most work visas (up from $150 as of April 2012) and can be even higher for certain categories. If the applicant is rejected, the application fee is not refunded. Amongst the items included in the qualification decision are financial independence, adequate employment, material assets and a lack of a criminal record in the applicant's native country.

text: Visitor visa statistics[edit]

text:
Over 400 thousand
Over 100 thousand
Over 50 thousand
Over 25 thousand
Over 10 thousand
Over 5 thousand
Under 5 thousand

text: In fiscal 2016 most B-1,2 visas were issued to the nationals of the following countries (listed over 40,000 visas):[85]

text:
[show]Nationality
Issued B-1,2 visas

2016[85]
2015[86]

 China
1,989,925
2,227,670

 Mexico[87]
1,106,723
1,234,885

 India
563,202
553,385

 Brazil
450,166
870,008

 Colombia
374,398
345,233

 Argentina
295,326
240,115

 Israel
168,136
137,439

 Nigeria
162,996
136,409

 Russia
151,692
122,147

 Ecuador
150,163
150,458

 Venezuela
144,283
223,854

 Dominican Republic
136,057
85,140

 Philippines
99,967
83,139

 Jamaica
94,458
83,483

 Poland
88,624
81,861

 Vietnam
86,180
80,936

 Turkey
85,560
78,118

 Peru
79,927
97,936

 Saudi Arabia
78,042
85,303

 Costa Rica
71,710
58,139

 Pakistan
65,844
62,714

 Hong Kong
61,708
54,027

 Egypt
58,062
46,433

 Guatemala
52,326
48,735

 Guyana
50,706
30,060

 Indonesia
48,787
48,239

 Honduras
48,177
35,004

 Thailand
47,382
44,795

 El Salvador
46,850
56,287

 Ukraine
45,638
52,943

 South Africa
45,240

 Haiti
41,738
34,519

Total
7,988,520
8,403,683

text: In fiscal 2014 most reasons to refuse a visa were cited as "failure to establish entitlement to nonimmigrant status", "incompatible application" (most overcome), "unlawful presence", "misrepresentation", "criminal convictions", "smugglers" and "controlled substance violators". Smaller number of applications were rejected for "physical or mental disorder", "prostitution", "espionage", "terrorist activities", "falsely claiming citizenship" and other grounds for refusal including "presidential proclamation", "money laundering", "communicable disease" and "commission of acts of torture or extrajudicial killings".[88]

text: Admission statistics[edit]

text:
Over 2 million
Over 1 million
Over 500 thousand
Over 250 thousand
Over 100 thousand
Over 15 thousand
Under 15 thousand

text: Highest number of non-immigrant admissions for tourists and for business purposes into the United States in fiscal year 2014 and 2015 was from the following countries (listed over 700,000 admissions):[89][90]

text:
Country
FY2015
FY 2014

 Mexico
01  19,175,345
01  18,889,281

 Canada
02  11,671,122
02  11,289,743

 United Kingdom
03  4,691,874
03  4,549,934

 Japan
04  3,750,667
04  3,933,941

 Brazil
05  2,383,822
06  2,275,588

 China
06  2,309,654
07  2,001,302

 Germany
07  2,208,145
05  2,283,086

 France
08  1,915,725
08  1,966,335

 South Korea
09  1,742,422
09  1,576,328

 Australia
10  1,399,615
10  1,389,358

 Italy
11  1,229,115
11  1,282,485

 India
12  1,175,153
12  1,111,738

 Spain
13  953,969
13  955,737

 Colombia
14  928,424
14  924,916

 Argentina
15  765,576
16  730,089

 Netherlands
16  749,826
15  766,936

Total (worldwide)
17  69,025,896
17  67,519,113

text:
[show]Statistics of American Samoa[91]

Country
2015
2014

 Samoa
21,251
20,786

 United States
17,053
14,487

 New Zealand
3,580
3,589

 Philippines
1,016
966

 Australia
860
978

 China
832
758

 Fiji
639
615

Total
48,197
45,326

text:
[show]Statistics of Guam[92]

Country/Territory
2016
2015
2014

 Japan
745,691
773,019
810,856

 South Korea
544,954
427,900
308,037

 United States
77,701
70,246
55,192

 Taiwan
42,229
42,205
49,136

 China
27,013
23,698
16,280

 Philippines
21,657
12,427
12,079

 Northern Mariana Islands
17,582
14,334
14,761

Total
1,535,410
1,409,050
1,343,092

text:
[show]Statistics of Northern Mariana Islands[93]

Country/Territory
2016
2015
2014

 China
01  206,538
01  186,509
01  170,121

 South Korea
02  200,875
02  182,622
02  142,081

 Japan
03  62,120
03  80,832
03  109,793

 United States and  Guam
04  22,447
04  19,968
04  20,405

 Hong Kong
05  1,710
07  732
06  1,098

 Russia
06  1,796
06  1,374
05  11,200

 Philippines
07  999
05  2,405
07  694

Total
08  501,469
08  478,592
08  459,240

text: Classes of visas[edit]

text: Nonimmigrant visas[edit]

text: A visa[edit]

text: "A" visas are issued to representatives of a foreign government traveling to the United States to engage in official activities for that government. "A" visas are granted to foreign government ambassadors, ministers, diplomats, as well as other foreign government officials or employees traveling on official business (A-1 Visa). Certain foreign officials require an A visa regardless of the purpose of their trip. The A visa is also granted to immediate family members of such foreign government officials, defined as "the principal applicant's spouse and unmarried sons and daughters of any age who are not members of some other household and who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien" (A-2 Visa) and which "may also include close relatives of the principal alien or spouse who are related by blood, marriage, or adoption who are not members of some other household; who will reside regularly in the household of the principal alien; and who are recognized as dependents by the sending government (A-3 Visa).[94]

text: B-1 and B-2[edit]

text: The most common non-immigrant visa is the multiple-purpose B-1/B-2 visa, also known as the "visa for temporary visitors for business or pleasure." Visa applicants sometimes receive either a B-1 (temporary visitor for business) or a B-2 (temporary visitor for pleasure) visa, if their reason for travel is specific enough that the consular officer does not feel they qualify for combined B-1/B-2 status.[95] Holders may also attend short non-credit courses. Mexican citizens are eligible for Border Crossing Cards.[96] Generally, the most important factors in judging an applicant’s chances of approval for a B1 business visa are as follows: Long term job or well documented successful business; and Documented consistent high level of income.[97]

text: From November 29, 2016, all holders of Chinese passports who also hold 10-year B visas are required to enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) before travelling to the United States. This requirement may be extended to other nationalities in the future.[98][99]

text: Validity period[edit]

text:
120 months
60 months
24–48 months
12 months
Under 12 months

text:
[show]Validity period

Country
Validity (in months)

Afghanistan
12

Albania
36

Algeria
24

Angola
24

Antigua and Barbuda
120

Argentina
120

Armenia
120

Australia
12

Azerbaijan
12

Bahrain
60

Bangladesh
60

Barbados
120

Belarus
12

Belize
120

Benin
36

Bhutan
3[101]

Bolivia
120

Bosnia-Herzegovina
120

Botswana
120

Brazil
120

Bulgaria
120

Burkina Faso
60

Burma
3[101]

Burundi
12

Cambodia
3[102]

Cameroon
12

Canada
120

Cape Verde
60

Central African Republic
12

Chad
3[101]

China
120[103]

Colombia
120

Comoros
45 days[101]

Congo (Brazzaville)
6

Congo (Kinshasa)
1

Costa Rica
120

Côte d'Ivoire
12

Croatia
120

Cuba
6

Cyprus
120

Djibouti
12

Dominica
120

Dominican Republic
120

Ecuador
60

Egypt
60

El Salvador
120

Equatorial Guinea
60

Eritrea
12

Ethiopia
24

Fiji
120

Gabon
60

Georgia
120

Ghana
60

Grenada
120

Guatemala
120

Guinea
36

Guinea - Bissau
60

Guyana
120

Haiti
60

Honduras
120

Hong Kong
120

India
120

Indonesia
60

Iran
3[101]

Iraq
12

Israel
120

Jamaica
120

Jordan
60

Kazakhstan
120

Kenya
60

Kiribati
48

Kosovo
36

Kuwait
120

Kyrgyzstan
12

Laos
3[101]

Lebanon
60

Lesotho
120

Liberia
12

Libya
3[101]

Macau
120

Macedonia
120

Madagascar
3

Malawi
3[101]

Malaysia
120

Maldives
120

Mali
60

Marshall Islands
3

Mauritania
12

Mauritius
120

Mexico
120

Micronesia
3

Moldova
120

Mongolia
120

Montenegro
36

Morocco
120

Mozambique
12

Namibia
60

Nauru
60

Nepal
60

Nicaragua
120

Niger
12

Nigeria
24

Oman
24

Pakistan
60

Palau
3

Palestinian Authority
120

Panama
120

Papua New Guinea
12

Paraguay
120

North Korea
3[104]

Peru
120

Philippines
120

Poland
120

Qatar
120

Romania
120

Russia
36

Rwanda
120

Saint Kitts and Nevis
120

Saint Lucia
120

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
120

Samoa
120

Sao Tome And Principe
6

Saudi Arabia
60

Senegal
120

Serbia
120

Seychelles
120

Sierra Leone
36

Solomon Islands
60

Somalia
3[101]

South Africa
120

South Sudan
3[104]

Sri Lanka
60

Sudan
3[101]

Suriname
60

Swaziland
120

Syria
24

Taiwan
60

Tajikistan
12

Tanzania
12

Thailand
120

The Bahamas
120

The Gambia
60

Timor-Leste
3[104]

Togo
36

Tonga
120

Trinidad And Tobago
120

Tunisia
120

Turkey
120

Turkmenistan
12

Tuvalu
120

Uganda
24

Ukraine
120

United Arab Emirates
120

Uruguay
120

Uzbekistan
12

Vanuatu
60

Vatican City
60

Venezuela
120

Vietnam
12

VWP countries[105]
120

Yemen
12

Zambia
36

Zimbabwe
12

text: Adjusted Visa refusal Rate[edit]

text:
Under 3%
3%
5%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%

text: The Adjusted Refusal Rate is based on the refusal rate of B visa applications. B visas are adjudicated based on applicant interviews; the interviews generally last between 60 and 90 seconds.[106] Due to time constraints, adjudicators profile applicants.[106] Certain demographics, such as young adults, those who are single and/or unemployed, almost never receive visas.[106] Adjudicators are evaluated on how fast they carry out interviews, not the quality of adjudication decisions.[107] The validity of B visa decisions is not evaluated.[107]

text: To qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, a country must have had a nonimmigrant visa refusal rate of less than 3% for the previous year or an average of no more than 2% over the past two fiscal years with neither year going above 2.5%.[108] In addition, the country must provide visa-free access to United States citizens and has to be either an independent country or a dependency of a VWP country (which has precluded Hong Kong and Macau from participating in the program.) (Until 4 April 2016, Argentina charged $160 to U.S. citizens to enter.)

text: In the table below, eligible countries are in bold, with their flag depicted and linked to their relevant individual article on Wikipedia. The Adjusted Visa Refusal Rate for B visas were as follows:

text:
[show]Adjusted Visa Refusal Rate

Country
Rate
2017[109]
Rate
2016[110]
Rate
2015[111]
Rate
2014[112]
Rate
2008[113]

Afghanistan
72.14%
73.8%
61.03%
46.7%
51.0%

Albania
40.45%
35.95%
36.82%
39.8%
38.7%

Algeria
43.96%
36.0%
25.92%
23.1%
20.3%

Angola
36.01%
48.52%
26.77%
21.4%
17.1%

Antigua and Barbuda
20.5%
22.11%
20.17%
20.8%
21.7%

 Argentina
1.79%
2.14%
2.14%
1.4%
3.1%

Armenia
51.87%
45.88%
47.17%
43.8%
53.3%

Azerbaijan
27.63%
14.83%
12.93%
13.5%
14.0%

Bahrain
9.53%
6.26%
3.81%
4.7%
6.6%

Bangladesh
60.88%
62.82%
59.96%
50.8%
48.2%

Barbados
8.72%
11.24%
9.54%
9.8%
10.1%

Belarus
21.69%
14.87%
12.53%
14.0%
21.1%

Belize
30.91%
35.81%
30.47%
16.4%
25.4%

Benin
42.1%
38.01%
35.74%
31.4%
39.1%

Bhutan
52.43%
69.78%
54.55%
43.6%
48.3%

Bolivia
18.08%
14.36%
13.56%
13.6%
23.6%

Bosnia-Herzegovina
16.37%
19.7%
20.38%
16.1%
21.3%

Botswana
17.94%
18.97%
16.67%
16.9%
15.6%

Brazil
12.34%
16.7%
5.36%
3.2%
5.5%

Bulgaria
14.97%
16.86%
17.26%
15.2%
13.3%

Burkina Faso
75.74%
65.35%
50.37%
37.4%
44.4%

Burma
17.88%
13.02%
16.32%
15.5%
41.9%

Burundi
75.55%
61.33%
58.35%
50.0%
58.8%

Cambodia
41.05%
35.62%
48.41%
39.9%
44.3%

Cameroon
47.29%
36.84%
29.89%
28.2%
46.7%

Cape Verde
50.7%
45.89%
36.05%
28.7%
42.7%

Central African Republic
44.24%
35.12%
32.43%
46.6%
39.6%

Chad
51.65%
42.53%
33.87%
32.4%
41.4%

China
14.57%
12.35%
10.03%
9.0%
18.2%

Colombia
21.93%
17.79%
15.52%
12.3%
25.6%

Comoros
48.45%
53.73%
54.44%
17.0%
14.0%

Congo (Brazzaville)
48.47%
46.55%
40.77%
35.4%
33.2%

Congo (Kinshasa)
49.94%
45.63%
45.62%
39.1%
36.2%

Costa Rica
6.49%
8.39%
9.83%
11.4%
21.2%

Côte d'Ivoire
33.72%
37.38%
28.59%
29.8%
40.9%

Croatia
5.1%
6.78%
5.29%
6.1%
5.1%

Cuba
77.17%
81.85%
76.03%
66.2%
45.2%

 Cyprus
1.69%
2.03%
3.53%
3.5%
1.7%

Djibouti
74.8%
47.09%
52.0%
50.1%
42.5%

Dominica
28.74%
31.63%
33.33%
29.0%
29.5%

Dominican Republic
35.78%
31.88%
33.78%
35.9%
45.6%

Ecuador
27.95%
29.18%
31.34%
20.8%
40.0%

Egypt
34.24%
28.61%
33.57%
34.0%
35.3%

El Salvador
52.97%
57.12%
45.72%
36.3%
45.7%

Equatorial Guinea
18.21%
17.75%
19.3%
17.8%
11.1%

Eritrea
71.69%
50.49%
55.67%
41.7%
51.1%

Ethiopia
50.3%
38.13%
48.32%
44.9%
46.7%

Fiji
26.59%
20.23%
14.92%
14.0%
38.0%

Gabon
26.1%
21.29%
15.74%
13.5%
23.0%

Gambia
70.27%
69.87%
75.64%
69.3%
55.7%

Georgia
61.09%
62.82%
50.58%
48.2%
46.6%

Ghana
56.18%
65.7%
63.28%
59.8%
50.1%

Grenada
26.94%
35.71%
32.0%
29.5%
29.9%

Guatemala
47.14%
48.68%
45.37%
35.9%
33.8%

Guinea
64.59%
63.53%
59.81%
47.8%
63.8%

Guinea-Bissau
71.61%
71.88%
65.18%
56.5%
63.4%

Guyana
37.92%
25.76%
37.28%
40.2%
56.6%

Haiti
71.44%
64.52%
60.45%
58.2%
54.4%

Honduras
40.35%
42.76%
39.73%
36.8%
33.6%

Hong Kong
3.45%
4.61%
4.36%
3.1%
3.3%

India
23.29%
26.02%
23.78%
19.8%
24.7%

Indonesia
10.99%
11.19%
8.71%
8.3%
37.0%

Iran
58.66%
45.02%
38.55%
41.8%
42.5%

Iraq
60.71%
51.71%
52.82%
41.4%
46.3%

Israel
4.88%
4.09%
3.85%
8.2%
3.0%

Jamaica
46.78%
35.64%
37.62%
32.3%
35.5%

Jordan
40.06%
40.34%
37.59%
26.9%
43.2%

Kazakhstan
32.81%
27.55%
12.7%
9.9%
11.7%

Kenya
33.17%
26.6%
27.34%
27.3%
35.6%

Kiribati
5.13%
5.81%
16.05%
15.4%
26.2%

Korea, North
54.55%
15.0%
47.67%
55.6%
16.3%

Kosovo
37.92%
41.48%
44.03%
38.1%
47.9%

Kuwait
8.32%
4.56%
5.73%
5.7%
6.5%

Kyrgyzstan
55.58%
51.68%
55.75%
43.2%
32.1%

Laos
63.66%
62.37%
66.68%
61.1%
73.4%

Lebanon
31.75%
25.41%
27.1%
16.1%
27.9%

Lesotho
35.97%
21.2%
13.95%
16.7%
32.1%

Liberia
64.98%
70.23%
62.45%
49.4%
70.7%

Libya
45.5%
40.58%
43.02%
33.9%
27.1%

Macau
5.38%
7.71%
9.3%
N/A
14.2%

Macedonia
28.69%
33.84%
36.08%
29.8%
33.5%

Madagascar
11%
12.12%
11.01%
11.6%
11.9%

Malawi
26.49%
14.52%
10.23%
12.3%
28.9%

Malaysia
3.93%
3.65%
3.34%
4.6%
5.6%

Maldives
27.74%
47.56%
15.49%
6.7%
4.7%

Mali
59.43%
57.58%
52.77%
54.0%
48.1%

Mauritania
67.3%
71.45%
61.45%
52.2%
51.0%

Mauritius
8.29%
5.53%
5.71%
2.2%
11.6%

Mexico
22.5%
23.49%
20.17%
15.6%
11.4%

Moldova
49.12%
36.35%
41.83%
40.1%
36.7%

Mongolia
53.62%
43.63%
34.76%
27.9%
53.6%

Montenegro
26.41%
28.69%
31.26%
28.0%
25.6%

Morocco
36.99%
26.77%
20.6%
21.9%
24.0%

Mozambique
26.18%
10.29%
4.03%
4.0%
13.8%

Namibia
6.31%
5.56%
7.43%
7.6%
6.8%

Nauru
20.97%
13.33%
5.26%
42.9%
66.7%

Nepal
46.42%
49.54%
42.19%
38.2%
51.2%

Nicaragua
43.28%
44.54%
41.19%
35.8%
41.8%

Niger
30.65%
31.14%
31.1%
36.4%
55.7%

Nigeria
44.95%
41.44%
32.56%
33.2%
36.0%

Oman
3.46%
1.93%
2.0%
2.1%
2.2%

Pakistan
49.4%
46.43%
40.4%
38.0%
46.3%

Palestinian Authority
50.98%
40.64%
42.68%
36.7%
55.6%

Panama
11.61%
12.05%
11.36%
10.0%
19.2%

Papua New Guinea
9.34%
10.56%
5.14%
7.4%
3.4%

Paraguay
6.83%
7.47%
6.15%
6.1%
14.4%

Peru
25.97%
28.61%
14.46%
13.8%
37.7%

Philippines
25.54%
27.29%
27.96%
24.6%
31.0%

Poland
5.92%
5.37%
6.37%
6.4%
13.8%

Qatar
7.48%
3.5%
2.97%
2.1%
4.9%

Romania
11.76%
11.43%
11.16%
9.8%
25.0%

Russia
11.61%
9.29%
10.24%
7.8%
7.5%

Rwanda
52.17%
43.79%
49.17%
51.1%
50.3%

Samoa
40.32%
28.44%
29.99%
27.2%
32.4%

Sao Tome and Principe
14.81%
24.14%
5.71%
10.7%
28.6%

Saudi Arabia
5.26%
4.04%
3.24%
3.3%
6.6%

Senegal
56.82%
52.46%
54.37%
57.5%
55.2%

Serbia
22.33%
18.77%
16.54%
16.0%
11.7%

Seychelles
13.14%
9.66%
7.26%
6.8%
18.0%

Sierra Leone
47.3%
61.25%
53.02%
51.9%
50.1%

Solomon Islands
16.79%
4.28%
7.26%
5.4%
6.5%

Somalia
75.5%
63.89%
64.6%
52.0%
54.0%

South Africa
6.44%
6.83%
5.08%
2.6%
4.6%

South Sudan
47.52%
43.89%
41.77%
43.8%
N/A

Sri Lanka
26.19%
21.69%
22.07%
19.5%
31.4%

St. Kitts and Nevis
26.66%
28.31%
26.6%
27.5%
25.0%

St. Lucia
22.34%
27.16%
26.9%
27.6%
26.6%

St. Vincent and the Grenadines
20.38%
27.46%
27.15%
24.1%
26.4%

Sudan
51.37%
36.59%
40.45%
42.4%
38.6%

Suriname
11.44%
10.86%
7.78%
13.6%
9.6%

Swaziland
12.59%
8.03%
12.95%
10.0%
13.0%

Syria
59.11%
59.77%
63.43%
60.0%
33.1%

Tajikistan
51.84%
55.24%
44.44%
49.0%
32.4%

Tanzania
18.36%
23.05%
12.02%
21.3%
26.2%

Thailand
20.15%
17.82%
12.35%
10.2%
19.8%

Timor-Leste
7.02%
26.67%
12.68%
25.0%
16.7%

Togo
59.88%
54.39%
43.42%
35.6%
51.7%

Tonga
32.85%
31.58%
28.09%
25.4%
48.7%

Trinidad and Tobago
22.46%
22.7%
25.16%
21.2%
23.8%

Tunisia
19.53%
15.92%
19.69%
17.5%
23.9%

Turkey
17.86%
13.62%
13.88%
7.1%
11.2%

Turkmenistan
40.6%
32.95%
25.41%
18.6%
45.4%

Tuvalu
15.38%
20.0%
21.05%
27.3%
17.6%

Uganda
42.38%
41.53
30.63%
37.2%
34.4%

Ukraine
34.54%
40.83%
34.03%
27.7%
30.9%

United Arab Emirates
5.8%
4.02%
7.1%
4.8%
10.4%

Uruguay
3.19%
3.14%
2.7%
1.8%
9.5%

Uzbekistan
50.29%
57.09%
49.59%
52.1%
61.1%

Vanuatu
13.51%
16.67%
10.53%
20.0%
16.7%

Vatican City
36.36%
62.5%
25.0%
7.7%
16.7%

Venezuela
42.87%
40.25%
15.57%
15.2%
25.4%

Vietnam
24.06%
29.49%
23.43%
14.3%
38.8%

Yemen
60.76%
48.85%
54.01%
44.2%
54.7%

Zambia
21.78%
22.26%
20.98%
22.2%
53.3%

Zimbabwe
26.32%
22.88%
21.03%
13.2%
30.3%

text: Overstay rate[edit]

text: A number of visitors overstay the maximum period of allowed stay on their B-1/B-2 status after entered the U.S. on their B-1/B-2 visas. The Department of Homeland Security publishes annual reports that list the number of violations by passengers who arrive via air and sea. The table below excludes statistics on persons who left the United States later than their allowed stay or legalized their status and shows only suspected overstays who remained in the country.

text: The top 20 nationalities by the number of suspected in-country B-1/B-2 overstays in 2016 were:[114]

text:
[show]Overstay number

Country
Number of
suspected
in-country
overstays
In-country
overstay rate
(against
total number
of expected
departures)

Canada
117,267
1.36%

Mexico
43,747
1.49%

Brazil
36,929
1.78%

Venezuela
22,906
4.16%

Colombia
18,404
2.13%

China
17,108
0.83%

India
15,723
1.57%

Nigeria
11,461
6.04%

Dominican Republic
9,211
2.70%

Jamaica
9,177
3.26%

Ecuador
7,356
1.87%

Argentina
6,752
0.80%

Guatemala
5,442
2.20%

Peru
5,310
1.79%

Honduras
5,085
2.79%

Haiti
5,000
3.86%

El Salvador
4,771
2.60%

Philippines
4,438
1.77%

Israel
3,584
0.96%

Russia
3,344
1.31%

text: The top 10 nationalities by in-country B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate are:[115]

text:
[show]Overstay rate

Country
In-country
overstay rate
(against
total number
of expected
departures)

Burkina Faso
25.50%

Djibouti
24.87%

Bhutan
25.13%

Eritrea
19.79%

Liberia
17.39%

Cabo Verde
17.26%

Chad
16.49%

Mauritania
14.36%

Georgia
13.90%

Guinea-Bissau
13.89%

text: Use for other countries[edit]

text: US tourist visas that are valid for further travel are accepted as substitute visas for national visas in following countries:

text:
Albania — 90 days;
 Antigua and Barbuda — 30 days; USD 100 visa waiver fee applies.
 Argentina — 90 days; online registration required, for nationals of China only.
 Belize — 30 days; USD 50 visa waiver fee applies.
 Canada — up to 6 months; only citizens of  Brazil, Bulgaria and  Romania may apply the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) for visa-free visit or transit (arriving by air).
 Chile — 90 days; for nationals of China only.
 Colombia — 90 days; for nationals of China, India, Thailand, and Vietnam.
 Costa Rica — 30 days or less if the visa is about to expire; must hold a multiple entry visa.
 Dominican Republic — 90 days;
 El Salvador — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
 Georgia — 90 days within any 180-day period;
 Guatemala — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
 Honduras — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
 Jamaica — 30 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
 Macedonia — 15 days;
 Mexico — 180 days;[116][117]
 Montenegro — 30 days;
 Nicaragua — 90 days; not applicable to all nationalities.
 Oman — Some nationalities can obtain an e-Visa if holding a valid visa for USA.[118]
 Panama — 30/180 days; must hold a visa valid for at least 2 more entries.
 Peru — 180 days; for nationals of China and India only.[119]
 Philippines — 7 days; for nationals of China and India only.
 Sao Tome and Principe — 15 days;
 Serbia — 90 days;
 Taiwan — certain nationalities can obtain an online travel authority if holding a valid US visa.
 Turkey — certain nationalities can obtain an electronic Turkish visa if holding a valid US visa.
 United Arab Emirates — Indian nationals can obtain a 14-day visit visa to UAE upon arrival if holding a US visa that is valid 6 months.[120]

text: C visa[edit]

text: C-1 visa is a transit visa issued to individuals who are travelling in "immediate and continuous transit through the United States enroute to another country". The only reason to enter the United States must be for transit purposes. A subtype C-2 visa is issued to diplomats transiting to and from the Headquarters of the United Nations and is limited to the vicinity of New York City. A subtype C-3 visa is issued to diplomats and their dependents transiting to and from their posted country.[121]

text: D visa[edit]

text: D visa is issued to crew members of sea-vessels and international airlines in the United States. This includes commercial airline pilots and flight attendants, captain, engineer, or deckhand of a sea vessel, service staff on a cruise ship and trainees on board a training vessel. Usually a combination of a C-1 visa and D visa is required.[122]

text: E visa[edit]

text: Treaty Trader (E-1 visa) and Treaty Investor (E-2 visa) visas are issued to citizens of countries that have signed treaties of commerce and navigation with the United States.[123] They are issued to individuals working in businesses engaged in substantial international trade or to investors (and their employees) who have made a 'substantial investment' in a business in the United States.[124] The variant visa issued only to citizens of Australia is the E-3 visa (E-3D visa is issued to spouse or child of E-3 visa holder and E-3R to a returning E-3 holder).[125]

text: F visa[edit]

text: These visas are issued for foreign students enrolled at accredited US institutions. F-1 visas are for full-time students, F2 visas are for spouses and children of F-1 visa holders and F-3 visas are for "border commuters" who reside in their country of origin while attending school in the United States.[126] They are managed through SEVIS.[127]

text: G visa[edit]

text: The G visas are issued to diplomats, government officials, and employees who will work for international organizations in the United States. The international organization must be officially designated as such.[128] The G-1 visa is issued to permanent mission members; the G-2 visa is issued to representatives of a recognized government traveling temporarily to attend meetings of a designated international organization; the G-3 visa is issued to persons who represent a non-recognized government; the G-4 visa is for those who are taking up an appointment; and the G-5 visa is issued to personal employees or domestic workers of G1–G4 visa holders.[129] G1–G4 visas are also issued to immediate family members of the principal visa holder, if they meet certain criteria.[130]

text: NATO visa[edit]

text: Officials who work for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization require a NATO visa. The NATO-1 visa is issued to permanent representatives of NATO and their staff members, NATO-2 visa is issued to a representative of member state to NATO or its subsidiary bodies, advisor or technical expert of the NATO delegation visiting the United States, a member of the NATO military forces component or a staff member of the NATO representative, NATO-3 visa is issued to official clerical staff accompanying the representative of a NATO member state, NATO-4 visa is issued to foreign national recognized as a NATO official, NATO-5 visa is issued to a foreign national recognized as a NATO expert and NATO-6 visa is issued to a member of the civilian component of the NATO. All NATO visas are issued to immediate family members as well. NATO-7 visas are issued to personal employees or domestic workers of a NATO-1 – NATO-6 visa holders.[130]

text: H visa[edit]

text: H visas are issued to temporary workers in the United States.

text: The discontinued H-1A and H-1C visas existed during periods when the US experienced a shortage of nurses existed from 1989. The H-1A classification was created by the Nursing Relief Act of 1989 and ended in 1995. The H-1C visa was created by the Nursing Relief for Disadvantaged Area Act of 1999 and expired in 2005. Currently nurses must apply for H-1B visas.[131]

text: The H-1B classification is for professional-level jobs that require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in a specific academic field. In addition, the employee must have the degree or the equivalence of such a degree through education and experience. There is a required wage, which is at least equal to the wage paid by the employer to similarly qualified workers or a prevailing wage for such positions in the geographic regions where the jobs are located. This visa also covers fashion models of distinguished merit and ability.[132][133] H-1B1 visa is the variant issued to citizens of Singapore and Chile.

text: The H-2A visa allows a foreign national entry into the US for temporary or seasonal agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available US workers).[134]

text: The H-2B visa allows a foreign national entry into the US for temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work for eligible employers under certain conditions (seasonal job, no available US workers).[135]

text: The H-3 visa is available to those foreign nationals looking to "receive training in any field of endeavor, other than graduate medical education or training, that is not available in the foreign national’s home country" or " participate in a special education exchange visitor training program that provides for practical training and experience in the education of children with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities.".[136]

text: H-4 visa is issued to immediate family members of H visa holders. They are also eligible for employment.[137]

text: I visa[edit]

text: The I-1 visa is issued to representatives of the foreign media, including members of the press, radio, film, and print industries travelling to temporarily work in the United States in the profession.[138]

text: J visa[edit]

text: J-1 visa is issued to participants of work-and study-based exchange visitor programs.[139] The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961, officially known as the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Pub.L. 87–256, 75 Stat. 527). The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Spouses and dependents of J-1 exchange visitors are issued a J-2 visa.[140]

text: Exchange visa categories are:

text:
Au pair and EduCare[141]
Camp Counselor[142]
College and University Student[143]
Government Visitor[144]
Intern[145]
International Visitor[146]
Physician[147]
Professor and Research Scholar[148]
Secondary School Student[149]
Short-term Scholar[150]
Specialist[151]
Summer Work Travel Program participant[152]
Teacher[153]
Trainee[154]

text: Exchange Visitor Pilot Programs exist for citizens of Australia,[155] Ireland,[156] New Zealand[157] and South Korea.[158]

text: K visa[edit]

text: A K-1 visa is a visa issued to the fiancé or fiancée of a United States citizen to enter the United States. A K-1 visa requires a foreigner to marry his or her U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days of entry, or depart the United States. Once the couple marries, the foreign citizen can adjust status to become a lawful permanent resident of the United States (Green Card holder).[159] K-2 visa is issued to unmarried children under the age of 21.[160] Foreign same-sex partners of United States citizens are currently recognized by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and accordingly can be sponsored for K-1 visas and for permanent resident status.[161]

text: K-3/K-4 visas are issued to foreign spouses and children of US citizens.[162]

text: L visa[edit]

text: The L-1 classification is for international transferees who have worked for a related organization abroad for at least one continuous year in the past three years and who will be coming to the United States to work in an executive or managerial (L-1A) or specialized knowledge capacity (L-1B).[163] L-2 visa is issued to dependent spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of qualified L-1 visa holders.

text: M visa[edit]

text: The M-1 visa is a type of student visa reserved for vocational and technical schools. Students in M-1 status may not work on or off campus while studying, and they may not change their status to F-1. The M-2 visa permits the spouse and minor children of an M-1 vocational student to accompany him or her to the United States.[126]

text: O visa[edit]

text: O visa is a classification of non-immigrant temporary worker visa granted to an alien "who possesses extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics (O-1A visa), or who has a demonstrated record of extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized nationally or internationally for those achievements," (O-1B visa) and to certain assistants (O-2 visa) and immediate family members of such aliens (O-3 visa).[164]

text: P visa[edit]

text: P visas are issued to individuals or team athletes, or member of an entertainment group including persons providing essential support services (P-1 visa), artists or entertainers (individual or group) under a reciprocal exchange program (P-2 visa) and artists or entertainers (individual or group) visiting to perform, teach or coach under a program that is culturally unique.[165] P-4 visas are issued to spouses, or children under the age of 21, of a P-1, P-2, or P-3 alien and who is accompanying, or following to join.

text: Q visa[edit]

text: Q visa is issued to participants in an international cultural exchange program.[165]

text: R visa[edit]

text: R-1 visa is issued to temporary religious workers. They must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least 2 years.[166] R-2 visa is issued to dependent family members.[167]

text: S visa[edit]

text: S visas are nonimmigrant visas issued to individuals who have assisted law enforcement as a witness or informant. There is a limit of 200 S visas a year.[168] A law enforcement agency can then submit an application for resident alien status i.e., a green card on behalf of the witness or informant once the individual has completed the terms and conditions of his or her S visa.[169]

text: TN visa[edit]

text: NAFTA Professional (TN) visa allows citizens of Canada and Mexico whose profession is on the NAFTA list[170] and who must hold a bachelor's degree to work in the United States on a prearranged job. Canadian citizens usually do not require a visa to work under the TN status (unless they live outside Canada with non-Canadian family members) while Mexican citizens require a TN visa. Spouse and dependent children of a TN professional can be admitted into the United States in the TD status.[171]

text: U and T visas[edit]

text: U-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which is set aside for victims of crimes (and their immediate family members) who have suffered substantial mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and government officials in the investigation or prosecution of the criminal activity.[172] Subtypes of this visa are U-2 issued to spouses of U-1, U-3 issued to children of U-1, U-4 issued to parents of U-1 under the age of 21 and U-5 issued to unmarried siblings under the age of 18 of U-1 who is under 21.

text: T-1 visa is issued to victims of severe forms of human trafficking. Holders may adjust their status to permanent resident status.[173] Subtypes of this visa are T-2 issued to spouses of T-1, T-3 issued to children of T-1, T-4 issued to parents of T-1 under the age of 21 and T-5 issued to unmarried siblings under the age of 18 of T-1 who is under 21.

text: V visa[edit]

text: The V visa is a temporary visa available to spouses and minor children (unmarried, under 21) of U.S. lawful permanent residents (LPR, also known as green card holders). It allows permanent residents to achieve family unity with their spouses and children while the immigration process takes its course. It was created by the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act of 2000.[174] The Act is to relieve those who applied for immigrant visas on or before December 21, 2000. Practically, the V visa is currently not available to spouses and minor children of LPRs who have applied after December 21, 2000.[175]

text: List of US visa types[edit]

text: All US visa types and subtypes are listed below:[176][177]

text: Immigrant visas[edit]

text:
[show]Symbol
Description

Immediate Relatives

IR-1
Spouse of U.S. citizen

IR-2
Child of U.S. citizen

IR-3
Orphan from a non-Hague country (i.e., not a party to the Hague Adoption Convention) adopted abroad by U.S. citizen

IR-4
Orphan from a non-Hague country to be adopted in the United States by U.S. citizen

IR-5
Parent of U.S. citizen at least 21 years of age

IH-3
Orphan from a Hague country adopted abroad by U.S. citizen

IH-4
Orphan from a Hague country to be adopted in the United States by U.S. citizen

CR-1
Spouse of U.S. citizen (conditional status)

CR-2
Child of U.S. citizen (conditional status)

IW-1
Certain spouses of deceased U.S. citizens

IW-2
Child of IW-1 IB-1

IB-1
Self-petition spouse of U.S. citizen

IB-2
Self-petition child of U.S. citizen

IB-3
Child of IB-1

VI-5
Parent of U.S. citizen who acquired permanent resident status under the Virgin Islands Nonimmigrant Alien Adjustment Act

Vietnam Amerasian Immigrants

AM-1
Vietnam Amerasian principal

AM-2
Spouse/Child of AM-1

AM-3
Natural mother of AM-1 (and spouse or child of such mother), or person who has acted in effect as the mother, father, or next-of-kin of AM-1 (and spouse or child of such person)

Special Immigrants

SB-1
Returning resident

SC-1
Certain persons who lost U.S. citizenship by marriage

SC-2
Certain persons who lost U.S. citizenship by serving in foreign armed forces

Family-Sponsored Immigrants: First Preference

F11
Unmarried son or daughter of U.S. citizen

F12
Child of F11

B11
Self-petition unmarried son or daughter of U.S. citizen

B12
Child of B11

Family-Sponsored Immigrants: Second Preference (Subject to Country Limitations)

F21
Spouse of permanent resident

F22
Child of permanent resident

F23
Child of F21 or F22

F24
Unmarried son/daughter of permanent resident

F25
Child of F24

B21
Self-petition spouse of permanent resident

B22
Self-petition child of permanent resident

B23
Child of B21 or B22

B24
Self-petition unmarried son/daughter of permanent resident

B25
Child of B24

Family-Sponsored Immigrants: Second Preference (Exempt from Country Limitations)

FX1
Spouse of permanent resident

FX2
Child of permanent resident

FX3
Child of FX1 or FX2

BX1
Self-petition spouse of permanent resident

BX2
Self-petition child of permanent resident

BX3
Child of BX1 or BX2

Family-Sponsored Immigrants: Third Preference

F31
Married son or daughter of U.S. citizen

F32
Spouse of F31

F33
Child of F31

B31
Self-petition married son or daughter of U.S. citizen B32

B32
Spouse of B31

B33
Child of B31

Family-Sponsored Immigrants: Fourth Preference

F41
Brother or sister of U.S. citizen who is at least 21 years of age

F42
Spouse of F41

F43
Child of F41

Employment-Based Immigrants: First Preference (Priority Workers)

E11
Person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics

E12
Outstanding professor or researcher

E13
Multinational executive or manager

E14
Spouse of E11, E12, or E13

E15
Child of E11, E12, or E13

Employment-Based Immigrants: Second Preference (Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees or Persons of Exceptional Ability)

E21
Professional holding advanced degree or person of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business

E22
Spouse of E21

E23
Child of E21

Employment-Based Immigrants: Third Preference (Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Other Workers)

E31
Skilled worker

E32
Professional holding baccalaureate degree

E34
Spouse of E31 or E32

E35
Child of E31 or E32

EW3
Other workers
(subgroup numerical limit)

EW4
Spouse of EW3

EW5
Child of EW3

Employment-Based Immigrants: Fourth Preference (Certain Special Immigrants)

BC-1
Certain international broadcasters

BC-2
Spouse of BC-1

BC-3
Child of BC-1

SD-1
Minister of religion

SD-2
Spouse of SD-1

SD-3
Child of SD-1

SE-1
Certain employees or former employees of the U.S. Government abroad

SE-2
Spouse of SE-1

SE-3
Child of SE-1

SF-1
Certain former employees of the Panama Canal Company or Canal Zone Government

SF-2
Spouse or child of SF-1

SG-1
Certain former employees of the U.S. Government in the Panama Canal Zone SG-2

SH-2
Spouse or child of SH-1

SJ-2
Spouse or child of SJ-1 (certain foreign medical graduates)

SK-1
Certain retired international organization employees

SK-2
Spouse of SK-1 SK-3

SK-4
Certain surviving spouses of deceased international organization employees SL-1

SM-1
Person recruited outside the United States who has served, or is enlisted to serve, in the U.S. Armed Forces for 12 years (became eligible after October 1, 1991)

SM-2
Spouse of SM-1

SM-3
Child of SM-1

SM-4
Person recruited outside the United States who has served, or is enlisted to serve, in the U.S. Armed Forces for 12 years (eligible as of October 1, 1991)

SM-5
Spouse or child of SM-4

SN-1
Certain retired NATO-6 civilian employees

SN-2
Spouse of SN-1

SN-3
Certain unmarried sons or daughters of NATO-6 civilian employees

SN-4
Certain surviving spouses of deceased NATO-6 civilian employees

SR-1
Certain religious workers (subgroup numerical limit)

SR-2
Spouse of SR-1

SR-3
Child of SR-1

Employment-Based Immigrants: Fifth Preference (Employment Creation - Investors) (Conditional Status)

C51
Employment creation outside targeted area

C52
Spouse of C51

C53
Child of C51

T51
Employment creation in targeted rural/high unemployment area (subgroup numerical set-aside)

T52
Spouse of T51

T53
Child of T51

R51
Investor pilot program, not in targeted area

R52
Spouse of R51

R53
Child of R51

I51
Investor pilot program, in targeted area

I52
Spouse of I51

I53
Child of I51

Other Numerically Limited Categories: Diversity Immigrants

DV-1
Diversity immigrant

DV-2
Spouse of DV-1

DV-3
Child of DV-1

text: Nonimmigrant visas[edit]

text:
[show]Symbol
Description

A-1
Head of state and immediate family, prime minister and immediate family, government minister, ambassador, career diplomat or consular officer, or immediate family

A-2
Minister of state, other foreign government official or employee, or immediate family

A-3
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 or A-2, and immediate family

B-1
Temporary visitor for business, domestic employees, academics, researchers and students

B-2
Temporary visitor for holiday, tourism, medical treatment

B1/B2
Temporary visitor for business & pleasure

C-1
Person in transit

C-2
Person in transit to United Nations Headquarters district under Section 11 (3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement

C-3
Foreign government official, immediate family, attendant, servant or personal employee, in transit

D
Crewmember (sea or air)

E-1*
Treaty trader, spouse and children

E-2*
Treaty investor, spouse and children

E-3*
Treaty traders and investors: Australian Free Trade Agreement

E-3D*
Spouse or child of E3

E-3R*
Returning E3

F-1
Student (academic or language training program)

F-2
Spouse or child of F-1

F-3
Canadian or Mexican national commuter student in an academic or language training program

G-1
Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, staff, and immediate family

G-2
Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and immediate family

G-3
Representative of nonrecognized or nonmember foreign government to international organization, and immediate family

G-4
International organization officer or employee, and immediate family

G-5
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1 through G-4, and immediate family

GB
Temporary visitors: for business, visa waiver, Guam

GT
Temporary visitors: for pleasure, visa waiver, Guam

H-1B*
Alien in a specialty occupation (profession)

H1B1
Chilean or Singaporean national to work in a specialty occupation

H-2A
Temporary worker performing agricultural services unavailable in the United States

H-2B
Temporary worker performing other services unavailable in the United States

H-3
Temporary workers and trainees: industrial trainees

H-4*
Temporary workers and trainees: spouses and children of H-1, H-2, and H-3 workers

I
Representative of foreign information media, spouse and children

J-1
Exchange visitor

J-2
Spouse or child of exchange visitor

K-1*
Fiance(e) of U.S. citizen

K-2*
Child of fiance(e) of U.S. citizen

K-3*
Spouse of U.S. citizen awaiting availability of immigrant visa

K-4*
Child of K-3

L-1*
Intracompany transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation)

L-2*
Spouse or child of intracompany transferee

M-1
Vocational student or other nonacademic student

M-2
Spouse or child of M-1

M-3
Border commuter student (vocational or nonacademic)[178]

N-8
Parent of SK-3 special immigrant

N-9
Child of N-8 or of SK-1, SK-2 or SK-4 special immigrant

NATO-1
Principal permanent representative of member state to NATO (including any of its subsidiary bodies) resident in the U.S. and resident members of official staff; Secretary General, Assistant Secretaries General, and Executive Secretary of NATO; other permanent NATO officials of similar rank, and members of immediate family

NATO-2
Other representatives of member states to NATO (including any of its subsidiary bodies) including representatives, advisers, and technical experts of delegations, and members of immediate family; dependents of members of a force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces Agreement or in accordance with provisions of the "Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters"; members of such a force if issued visas

NATO-3
Official clerical staff accompanying a representative of member state to NATO (including any of its subsidiary bodies), and members of immediate family

NATO-4
Officials of NATO (other than those classifiable as NATO-1), and members of immediate family

NATO-5
Experts, other than officials classifiable as NATO-4, employed in missions on behalf of NATO, and their dependents

NATO-6
Members of a civilian component accompanying a force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces Agreement; members of a civilian component attached to or employed by an Allied Headquarters under the "Protocol on the Status of International Military Headquarters" set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their dependents

NATO-7
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of NATO-1 through NATO-6 classes, and immediate family

O-1*
Person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics

O-2*
Person accompanying and assisting in the artistic or athletic performance by O-1

O-3*
Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2

P-1*
Internationally recognized athlete or member of an internationally recognized entertainment group

P-2*
Artist or entertainer in a reciprocal exchange program

P-3*
Artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program

P-4*
Spouse or child of P-1, P-2, or P-3

Q-1
Participant in an international cultural exchange program

R-1
Person in a religious occupation

R-2
Spouse or child of R-1

S-5
Informant possessing information on criminal activity

S-6
Informant possessing information on terrorism

S-7
Spouse, married or unmarried son or daughter, or parent of S-5 or S-6

SIJS
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status: Qualifying children present in the U.S. who are declared dependents of a juvenile court and who would be harmed if returned to their home country

TN
NAFTA professional

TD
Spouse or child of TN

T-1
Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons

T-2
Spouse of T-1

T-3
Child of T-1

T-4
Parent of T-1 under 21 years of age

T-5
Under-18 unmarried sibling of T-1

U-1
Victim of criminal activity

U-2
Spouse of U-1

U-3
Child of U-1

U-4
Parent of U-1 under 21 years of age

U-5
Under-18 unmarried sibling of U-1 under 21 at time of filing

V-1*
Spouse of lawful permanent resident awaiting availability of immigrant visa

V-2*
Child of lawful permanent resident awaiting availability of immigrant visa

V-3*
Derivative child of V-1 and V-2

WB
Temporary visitors: visa waiver, business

WT
Temporary visitors: visa waiver, pleasure

text: * Persons with H-1B visas, H-4 visas (as immediate family members of H-1B visa holders), K visas, L visas, and V visas are permitted to have dual intent under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Federal regulations also appear to recognize dual intent O visas, P visas, and E visas.

text: Dual Intent Visas[edit]

text: The concept of dual intent visa is to grant legal status to certain types of visa applicants when they are in the process of applying for a visa with the intent to obtain a permanent residency/green card. There are a certain number of U.S. visa categories that grant permission for dual intent, or to get a temporary visa status while having an intention to get a green card and stay permanently in the United States of America[citation needed].

text:
[show]Symbol
Description

Culture Workers, Artists and Entertainers

P-1
Athletes or members of team who take part in certain athletic competition for the purpose of entertainment

P-2
Entertainers and artists who visit the United States under a mutual exchange program between the U.S. and other organizations and their supporters (service workers or individuals)

P-3
Artists, individuals and service workers who come to the U.S. with the objective to teach, coach, develop and interpret traditional and cultural performances

P-4
Dependents of individuals who hold P-2 and P-3 visas

O-1A
Individuals who have unique talents or outstanding accomplishments in the spheres of education, business, science and mathematics

O-1B
Individuals who have unique talents or outstanding accomplishments in the spheres of education, business, science and mathematics

O-2 (A&B)
Individuals who provide O-1 holders with essential assistance

O-3
Dependents of individuals who hold O-1 and O-2 visas

Athletes

H-1B
Professional athletes, coaches and coaching staff

P-1
Athletes with a high level of international performance and their supporters

O-1A
Individuals with unique talents and abilities in the field of sports

Entrepreneurs and Business Individuals

H-1B
Individuals who have a high level of professional knowledge in a particular niche

H-1B (Chile)
Chilean citizens specializing in a certain occupation who intend to start a niche-related business within the U.S.

H-1B (Singapore)
Singapore citizens specializing in a certain occupation who intend to start a niche-related business within the U.S.

L-1
Such qualified employers/intracompany transferees as executives, managers and specialty workers

E-2
Citizens of Treaty Countries[123] who have an intention to invest in an American company

E-3
Australian citizens specializing in certain occupation who intend to start a niche-related business within the U.S.

O-1A
Individuals with outstanding talents and achievements that are internationally recognised

Family Members of LPRs

V
Individuals with family members who have the LPR ( Lawful Permanent Resident) status, live in the United States and have filed the Form I-130 before December 21, 2000

Fiance(e)s and Spouses of United States Citizens

K-1
Foreign fiance(e)s who are going to enter the United States with an intention to marry an American citizen

K-2
Individuals who are dependents of K-1 visa holders

K-3
Individuals who have already married U.S. citizens abroad and now have a right to enter the U.S.

Free Trade Agreement Professionals

H-1B (Chile)
Chilean citizens specializing in certain occupation who are hired by an employer based in the United States

H-1B (Singapore)
Singapore citizens specializing in certain occupation who are hired by an employer based in the United States

H-4
Individuals who are dependents of H-1B visa holders

Intra-Company Transferees

L-1A
Managers and executives who are transported to an office in the United States in order to carry out certain supervisory duties

L-1B
Individuals who have profound knowledge in company’s inner processes, services and systems who are transported to an office in the United States

L-2
Individuals who are dependents of L-1 visa holders

Doctors and Physicians

H-1B
Foreign medical practitioners who have an appropriate degree and a license in their sphere and have completed the FLEX licensing examination

O-1A
Foreign medical practitioners with outstanding skills in the medical niche

E-2
Foreign medical practitioners who have an intention to invest in an American enterprise

Professional and Priority Workers

H-1B
Foreign citizens with a specialty occupation who have a sponsorship from an employer based in the United States

E-2
Treaty investors who are eligible to work in the United States for an American business if they invest more than $100,000 and if they are citizens of Treaty Countries

E-3
Australian citizens who have a sponsorship from an employer based in the United States

Software Engineers and Programmers

H-1B
Foreign citizens who have deep knowledge in the computer sphere and can provide strong evidence of their skills

L-1
Foreign citizens who hold the position of executive or manager in software companies and have to be transported to a branch based in the United States

E-1/E-2
Foreign citizens from Treaty Countries who possess unique IT skills

O-1A
Foreign citizens who have outstanding knowledge in computer science and software development

Temporary Workers

H-1B
Foreign citizens who are currently/expired nurses by occupation and who are going to come to the United States under the Nursing Relief Act

H-1B
Foreign citizens who specialize in spheres that are important for employers who are based in the United States

H-1B1
Chilean and Singapore citizens who specialize in certain spheres and/or have a sponsored employment

H-4
Individuals who are dependents of H-3 visa holders and applicants

Treaty Traders and Investors

E-1
Individuals who are officially investors and who are citizens of E-1 Treaty Countries[citation needed]

E-2
Foreign citizens who are going to work or travel and who have made an investment in the United States economy that they can control

Scientists, Professors, Scholars and Researchers

O-1A
Scholars and professors who show outstanding accomplishments in science

O-2 (A&B)
Accompanying individuals of O-1A visa holders or applicants whose help is indispensable to certain scientific researches

O-3
Individuals who are dependents O-1/O-2 visa holders

H-1B
Scientific researchers who will be employed by certain academic institutions in the United States

text: Most visas are named after the paragraph of the Code of Federal Regulations that established the visa.[182]

text: Visa denial[edit]

text: Section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act defined several classes of aliens ineligible to receive visas.

text: Grounds for denial may include, but are not limited to:

text:
Health grounds
Criminal history
Security fears
Public charge (charge means burden in this context)
Illegal entrants or immigration violators
Failure to produce requested documents
Ineligible for citizenship
Previously removed from the US
The spouse of a US Citizen is almost always denied a visitor's (B1/B2) visa on the grounds that the spouse might want to stay in the United States. However, the spouse of a US Citizen is able to immigrate to the US without much of a hurdle.

text: Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (also cited as 8 United States Code § 1184(b))[183] states that most aliens must be presumed to be intending to remain in the US, until and unless they are able to show that they are entitled to non-immigrant status. This means there are two sides to a 214(b) denial. Either

text:
The applicant didn’t convince the consular officer that he didn’t intend to stay in the US permanently, or
The applicant didn’t convince the consular officer that he was qualified for the visa for which he had applied.

text: An example of a denial based upon the first ground would be an applicant for an F-1 student visa who the consular officer felt was secretly intending to remain in the US permanently.

text: An example of a denial based upon the second ground would be an H-1B applicant who couldn’t prove he possessed the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree in a specialty field—such an equivalency being a requirement for obtaining an H-1B visa.

text: In order to thereafter obtain a visa applicants are recommended to objectively evaluate their situation, see in what way they fell short of the visa requirements, and then reapply.[184]

text: In 2005, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) was denied a diplomatic visa to the United States. In addition, the B-1/B-2 visa that had previously been granted to him was also revoked, under a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act which makes any foreign government official who was responsible or "directly carried out, at any time, particularly severe violations of religious freedom" ineligible for the visa.[185] Modi is the only person ever denied a visa to the U.S. under this provision.[186]

text: Exceptions[edit]

text: There are cases when a US visa has been granted to aliens who were technically ineligible. Japanese mafia (yakuza) leader Tadamasa Goto and three others were issued visas for travel between 2000 and 2004 to undergo liver transplant surgery at UCLA Medical Center.[187] The FBI had aided the men in the visa application process hoping that they would provide information regarding yakuza activities in the US.[187]


document_title: List of countries by apple production

question_text: who produces the most apples in the world

root

text: List of countries by apple production

text: >1,000,000 tonnes[edit]

text:
Country/Region
Apple production (tonnes)

 China
37,001,600

 United States
4,110,050

 Turkey
2,889,002

 Poland
2,877,340

 India
2,203,400

 Italy
1,991,310

 Brazil
1,810,000

 Chile
1,625,000

 Russia
1,403,000

 France
1,382,900

 Iran
1,335,480

 Argentina
1,250,000

 Ukraine
1,126,800

tag: table

text: 100,000–1,000,000 tonnes[edit]

text:
Country/Region
Apple production (tonnes)

 Germany
972,404

 Uzbekistan
820,000

 South Africa
795,758

 Japan
793,800

 North Korea
785,000

 Hungary
650,595

 Pakistan
620,000

 Spain
558,900

 Egypt
541,239

 Belarus
511,479

 Morocco
485,642

 Austria
471,420

 Romania
462,935

 New Zealand
448,000

 Algeria
397,529

 South Korea
394,596

 Mexico
375,045

 Syria
334,166

 Australia
289,064

 Moldova
281,849

 Netherlands
281,000

 Canada
269,837

 Greece
251,000

 Azerbaijan
234,771

  Switzerland
227,106

 Belgium
220,400

 Tajikistan
218,300

 United Kingdom
202,900

 Portugal
186,000

 Serbia
178,713

 Lebanon
155,000

 Peru
147,114

 Kyrgyzstan
137,000

 Kazakhstan
132,000

 Israel
131,608

 Macedonia
127,171

 Czech Republic
118,709

 Tunisia
111,000

 Armenia
110,289

text: 50,000–100,000 tonnes[edit]

text:
Country/Region
Apple production (tonnes)

 Turkmenistan
82,000

 Uruguay
80,000

 Lithuania
72,500

 Albania
71,300

 Afghanistan
70,000

 Slovenia
55,300

 Bosnia and Herzegovina
50,023

text: 10,000-50,000 tonnes[edit]

text:
Country/Region
Apple production (tonnes)

   Nepal
48,946

 Iraq
46,500

 Georgia
45,000

 Slovakia
44,481

 Ireland
44,000

 Croatia
42,400

 Jordan
36,377

 El Salvador
34,000

 Bulgaria
30,942

 Bhutan
22,000

 Guatemala
22,000

 Sweden
22,000

 Yemen
22,000

 Libya
20,500

 Denmark
18,731

 Norway
11,440

 Ecuador
10,000

text: <10,000 tonnes[edit]

text:
Country/Region
Apple production (tonnes)

 Latvia
9,449

 Madagascar
7,000

 Zimbabwe
6,500

 Cyprus
6,366

 Montenegro
5,712

 Finland
4,807

 Bolivia
2,000

 Estonia
1,855

 Luxemburg
1,606

 Taiwan
1,590

 Colombia
1,224

 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
1,196

 Kenya
1,128

 Paraguay
705

 Palestine
650

 Grenada
560

 Honduras
230

 Reunion
80

 Malta
27

 Philippines
25

text: List of Apple producing countries by Area

tag: p

text:
Rank
Top 10 Countries
Harvested Area (Hac)

1
China
2410170

2
India
312000

2
Poland
193439

3
Russia
186300

4
Turkey
173096

5
United States of America
131210

6
Iran
129754

7
Pakistan
105153

8
Ukraine
103900

9
Uzbekistan
92000