Like many other foreigners, it may be your lifelong dream or goal to experience life in the United States, even if it is only temporary. Well, you may be happy to hear that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offers many pathways toward entering the country legally. The hope is that you qualify for at least one of its visa programs. So, with that being said, please continue reading to learn the different types of U.S. visas and how an experienced family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI, at Sesini Law Group, S.C. can help you apply for the most appropriate one given your set of circumstances.
What are the different types of U.S. nonimmigrant visas?
For certain, living in the United States is something unique that many wish for but not as many get to experience. Even so, you may only desire a temporary experience of this, as you may have commitments and loved ones in your home country that you do not wish to leave behind indefinitely. If this is your preference, you may sooner consider a nonimmigrant visa type. For this, your options may include, but may not be limited to, the following:
- A B-1 visa: for business-related activities (i.e., attending conferences, negotiating contracts, etc).
- A B-2 visa: for tourism, visiting loved ones, receiving medical treatment, etc.
- An H-1 visa: for a specialty occupation (i.e., science, technology, engineering, mathematics, etc).
- An H-2 visa: for agricultural work (i.e., H-2A) or non-agricultural work (i.e., H-2B for construction, landscaping, hospitality, etc).
- An E visa: for trade with the U.S. (i.e., E-1) or investment in a U.S. business (i.e., E-2).
- A U visa: for victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement (i.e., domestic violence, sexual assault, kidnapping, stalking, torture, etc).
- A T visa: for victims of human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement.
What are my options for U.S. immigrant visas?
Arguably, there is a type of U.S. immigrant visa that coincides with every nonimmigrant visa. In other words, you may be able to pursue an immigrant visa type for similar reasonings, just with the bonus of a permanent stay.
For example, there is an employment-based visa program for priority workers (i.e., EB-1), professionals holding advanced degrees and persons of exceptional ability (i.e., EB-2), and professionals and other workers (i.e., EB-3). This may be a more sustainable option for your career plans than a B or H visa type.
The second largest immigrant visa category is designated for immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Namely, there is the K-1 visa for foreign fiancés who wish to marry a U.S. citizen and live with them in the country. With visa types such as these, foreigners may eventually qualify to obtain a green card and officially adjust to a permanent resident status.
Before you take any further initiative to apply for a visa, we urge you to consult a skilled family immigration lawyer in Milwaukee, WI. Most definitely, the team at Sesini Law Group, S.C. is eager to work with you.