This US Visa Research Library provides a central reference point to the full range of visa categories and key application forms. Organised into clear sections, it allows readers to explore visitor, business, employment, study, exchange, immigrant and other visa types, alongside the core USCIS and Department of State forms required for applications.
Section A: Tourism & Visit
- B-2 Visitor (tourism, medical treatment, visiting family)
- B-1/B-2 Combined Visitor (mixed travel where appropriate)
- Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) for eligible nationalities (authorisation, not a visa)
- C-1 Transit Through the United States
- C-1/D Crew & Transit (air/sea crew transiting)
Section summary: Short stays only, no US-based employment. ESTA is travel authorisation, not a visa, and travellers must meet admissibility rules.
Section B: Business Visas
Business visas cover short-term entry for commercial activity that does not constitute direct employment, or treaty-based permissions allowing investment and trade in the United States.
- B-1 Business Visitor (meetings, negotiations, limited permissible activities)
- E-1 Treaty Trader
- E-2 Treaty Investor (including employees of treaty enterprises)
- E-2 CNMI Investor (legacy category, limited scope)
- I Media Representative (foreign press & journalism)
Section summary: These visas permit business activities without US labour-market entry, except for E classifications, which allow individuals to run or work within treaty-based enterprises.
Section C: Employment Visas
Employment visas are petition-based categories allowing temporary work in the United States. Most require a US petitioner, specific eligibility evidence and, where applicable, certified labor filings before consular processing or change of status.
- H-1B Specialty Occupation
- H-1B1 Specialty Occupation (Chile/Singapore)
- H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker
- H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker
- H-3 Trainee / Special Education Exchange Visitor (training)
- L-1A Intracompany Transferee – Manager/Executive
- L-1B Intracompany Transferee – Specialized Knowledge
- O-1A Extraordinary Ability (sciences, business, athletics)
- O-1B Extraordinary Ability (arts; motion picture & television)
- O-2 Essential Support for O-1 Performers/Athletes
- P-1A Internationally Recognized Athlete
- P-1B Member of an Internationally Recognized Entertainment Group
- P-2 Artist/Entertainer (reciprocal exchange)
- P-3 Artist/Entertainer (culturally unique)
- P-4 Dependants of P-class principals
- Q-1 Cultural Exchange (practical training, employment, sharing culture)
- R-1 Religious Worker
- TN USMCA Professional (Canada, Mexico)
- E-3 Specialty Occupation (Australia)
- I Media Representative (when employment treatment applies under programme specifics)
- CW-1 CNMI-Only Transitional Worker (Northern Mariana Islands)
Section summary: Most employment categories require a USCIS petition, possible DOL filings (such as an LCA or prevailing wage), and proof of qualifications. Processing typically involves petition approval followed by consular issuance or an in-country change of status.
Section D: Study, Exchange, Immigrant & Other Visas
This section covers study and exchange visas for temporary education, immigrant routes for permanent residence, and other humanitarian or official visa categories. Together, they reflect the wider scope of US immigration beyond tourism, business and employment.
D1. Study & Exchange (Nonimmigrant)
- F-1 Academic Student (with F-2 dependants)
- M-1 Vocational/Technical Student (with M-2 dependants)
- J-1 Exchange Visitor (broad programme categories; with J-2 dependants)
D2. Immigrant (Permanent Residence)
- Family-Based: Immediate Relative (IR/CR) and Family Preference (F1–F4)
- Employment-Based: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 (special immigrants), EB-5 (investment)
- Diversity Visa (DV) Program
- Returning Resident (SB-1)
D3. Other & Humanitarian/Official
- K-1 Fiancé(e) & K-2 Child; K-3/K-4 Spouse/Child of US Citizen
- U Nonimmigrant (crime victims)
- T Nonimmigrant (trafficking victims)
- S Witness/Informant
- A Diplomatic/Official; G International Organization; NATO visa classes
- C-2/C-3 UN Transit (special use)
Section summary: These categories span temporary study, cultural exchange, permanent migration, family and employment-based immigration, as well as humanitarian relief and official postings. They form the backbone of lawful entry outside of short-term visitor and work visas.
Section E: Current Core Forms & Filings
US immigration processes rely on a set of standard forms issued by USCIS, the Department of State, the Department of Labor, and SEVP schools. These filings support petitions, visa applications, adjustments of status and compliance requirements.
USCIS Forms
- I-129 Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (H, L, O, P, Q, R, TN)
- I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (EB-1/2/3)
- I-130 Petition for Alien Relative
- I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
- I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
- I-131 Application for Travel Document (Advance Parole/Re-entry Permit)
- I-907 Request for Premium Processing
- I-864 Affidavit of Support (with I-864EZ/I-864A variants)
- I-134A Online Request to be a Supporter & Declaration of Financial Support
- I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification (employer form)
Department of State Forms
- DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- DS-260 Immigrant Visa Application
- DS-156E Treaty Trader/Investor Supplement (E visas)
- DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1; sponsor-issued)
Education/SEVP Forms
- I-20 Certificate of Eligibility (F-1/M-1; school-issued)
Department of Labor Forms
- ETA-9035 Labor Condition Application (H-1B/H-1B1/E-3)
- ETA-9141 Prevailing Wage Request (PERM & some nonimmigrant)
- ETA-9089 PERM Labor Certification (EB-2/EB-3)
Section summary: Forms are the procedural foundation of US immigration. They map to each stage of the journey: labour certification, petition, visa application, entry, and potential adjustment of status.
Section F: FAQs
- What’s the difference between a visa and ESTA?
ESTA is a travel authorisation under the Visa Waiver Program. A visa is a formal entry document, issued after consular processing, with specific conditions. - Which visa categories allow dependants and work authorisation for spouses?
Many employment and study visas allow dependants. Spousal work permission varies: e.g. L-2 and certain H-4 categories may apply for work authorisation. - Do I need a petition before a visa interview?
Most employment-based categories require an approved USCIS petition before the visa interview stage. Visitor visas generally do not. - Can I change or extend status while in the US?
Certain categories permit change or extension by filing with USCIS before the authorised stay ends, subject to eligibility and visa-specific limits. - What is dual intent and which visas permit it?
Dual intent allows a temporary visa holder to also pursue permanent residence. H-1B, L-1, and some other categories recognise dual intent. - How do immigrant preference categories differ from nonimmigrant classes?
Immigrant visas provide permanent residence (green cards). Nonimmigrant visas are temporary and purpose-limited, without direct permanent status.
Section G: Conclusion
The US Visa Research Library provides a structured reference to the full spectrum of US visa categories and related forms. By grouping routes into tourism, business, employment, study, exchange, immigrant, and humanitarian or official categories, readers can locate the correct pathway more easily. The accompanying forms list highlights the filings that underpin each stage, from petition to visa issuance and adjustment of status.
Employers, applicants and advisers should always verify current rules, fees and quotas with USCIS, the Department of State and the Department of Labor, as US immigration law and policy change frequently. Using this library as a guide ensures quick navigation to more detailed resources and helps keep processes compliant.
Section H: Glossary
| Nonimmigrant | Time-limited status for specific purposes without granting permanent residence. |
| Immigrant | Status leading to lawful permanent residence (green card) in the United States. |
| Petition | A USCIS filing establishing eligibility for a worker or family visa category. |
| LCA (Labor Condition Application) | Certification filed with the Department of Labor for certain nonimmigrant categories (e.g. H-1B, H-1B1, E-3). |
| PERM | Permanent labor certification required for many EB-2 and EB-3 immigrant petitions. |
| SEVIS/SEVP | Student and Exchange Visitor systems/programs overseeing F, M, and J visa compliance. |
| I-94 | Arrival/Departure record issued by CBP, defining the period of authorised stay in the US. |
Section I: Useful Links
| U.S. Visas – travel.state.gov | Official State Department guidance on visa types and application processes. |
| USCIS Forms | Comprehensive list of immigration forms and filing instructions. |
| ESTA – Visa Waiver Program | Electronic System for Travel Authorization under the Visa Waiver Program. |
| I-94 Arrival/Departure Record | Retrieve or check I-94 records for lawful status and authorised stay dates. |
| Foreign Labor Certification – dol.gov | Department of Labor resources on LCAs, PERM and prevailing wage determinations. |
| I-901 SEVIS Fee | Payment portal for SEVIS fees for F, M and J visa applicants. |
| SEVIS – ice.gov | Information on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and SEVIS compliance. |
