Find the category that matches your purpose
An immigrant visa generally supports permanent residence; a nonimmigrant visa serves a defined temporary purpose. A visa, lawful status, work authorization and a green card are different things. Inclusion here does not mean a category is available to every nationality or that the firm accepts every matter.
| Category | Basic purpose |
|---|---|
| EB-1A, EB-1B, EB-1C | Extraordinary ability, outstanding research or teaching, multinational management |
| EB-2 and NIW | Advanced degree or exceptional ability; possible national-interest waiver |
| EB-3 | Skilled workers, professionals, other qualifying workers |
| EB-4 | Special immigrants, e.g. religious workers, Special Immigrant Juveniles |
| EB-5 | Qualifying investment and job creation |
| H, O, P, Q, R, TN | Temporary work: specialty occupations, achievement, performers, exchanges, religious work, treaty professionals |
| L, E-1, E-2, E-3 | Intracompany transfers, treaty trade and investment, Australian specialty occupations |
| Family (IR, CR, F1–F4, K) | Spouses, children, parents, siblings, fiancé(e)s |
| F, M, J | Academic study, vocational study, exchange programs |
| B-1, B-2, C, D, I, A, G, NATO | Visits, transit, crew, media, diplomatic and official travel |
| DV | Diversity immigrant selection and later eligibility review |
| T, U, S, asylum, VAWA, TPS, parole | Humanitarian and protection pathways, assessed case by case |
| SB-1 and green card stages | Returning residents, adjustment, consular processing, removal of conditions |
Asylum, refugee processing, TPS, parole, adjustment and naturalization are separate processes. ESTA is travel authorization, not a visa. Check the Department of State visa directory.
Request a Category AssessmentCategory guides
Employment (EB-1 to EB-5)
EB-1A self-petition evidence plans, NIW as part of EB-2, PERM-based EB-3, special immigrants, and investor petitions with source-of-funds review.
Temporary work and business
H-1B, O-1, P, Q, R-1, TN, L-1 and E visas. Company formation alone does not create eligibility.
Family and fiancé
Documents to bring, K-1 90-day marriage rule, and why marriage does not cure every inadmissibility ground.
Study and visitors
F-1, M-1, J-1 including the two-year home-residence rule, plus B-1/B-2 and transit.
Humanitarian
Confidential review of asylum, VAWA, T, U, TPS and parole. Do not send sensitive narratives through the general form.
Diversity Visa
Eligibility depends on country of birth and the current year’s instructions. No one can improve random selection odds.