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What Is a U.S. Visa?
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for a temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The visa is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of USCIS Expert is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens who are only eligible to travel to the United States with a valid visa.
Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel to most countries. When planning to travel abroad, you may need to check with the destination country for travel and visa requirements, as some countries require US citizens to process a visa at the nearest consulate prior to arrival or upon arrival at the destination airport. USCIS Expert is here to help with that!
Types of US Visas
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law and relates to the purpose of your travel to the United States. There are two main categories of U.S. visas:
1. Non-Immigrant Visas – A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States who wishes to be in the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study. At USCIS Expert, we understand that not everyone is interested in relocating to the United States on a permanent basis. Some people may prefer to travel to the United States on a temporary basis because they have a stronghold in their home country. The individual reason for traveling to the United States may vary from person to person.
There are more than 20 different categories of nonimmigrant visa classifications. It is important to speak to our Visa expert at USCIS Expert to assist with evaluating your situation so that you can apply for the right visa type to avoid having a visa denial on your record.
2. Immigrant Visas – An Immigrant visa is issued to a person who has intentions to travel to live permanently in the United States. Although it is more difficult to obtain, this type of visa allows travel to the United States to live permanently and is part of the process of getting a green card. This visa must be obtained prior to traveling to the United States, and the process for getting this type of visa is more extensive. Usually, the holder has been sponsored by a family member. Alone, an immigrant visa is not a path to citizenship.
If you want to stay in the United States permanently, you’ll need a green card. USCIS Expert is here to help with your Green Card Process!
More than one million people from different parts of the world receive Green Cards, designating them as new permanent residents of the United States each year. Many of those people arrive in the U.S. through an immigrant visa. Immigrant visas can start the process for permanent resident status, but they do not provide resident status themselves. An immigrant visa must be obtained prior to getting a green card. It is important to speak to a visa expert at USCIS Expert prior to starting the Process of an Immigrant Visa.
How Can I Use a Visa to Enter the United States?
Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port of entry, airport, or land border crossing, and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspector to enter the United States. While having a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States, it does indicate that a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad has determined that you are eligible to seek entry for that specific purpose. DHS/CBP inspectors, guardians of the nation’s borders, are responsible for the admission of travelers to the United States, for a specified status and period of time. DHS also has responsibility for immigration matters while you are present in the United States.
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