U.S. Visa Categories Guide: Temporary and Permanent Options at a Glance
Immigration » Immigration resources » Visa categories
U.S. immigration has many categories, and each has its own rules. This guide groups them by purpose so you can find the right page.
Temporary visas (nonimmigrant)
- B-1/B-2: business and tourism. B-1/B-2 guide
- F-1 and J-1: students and exchange visitors. F-1 and J-1 guide
- H-1B: specialty occupation workers. H-1B guide
- H-4: dependents of H workers. H-4 guide
- L-1: intracompany transferees. L-1 guide
- O-1: extraordinary ability. O-1 guide
- P: athletes and entertainers. P visas
- E-1 and E-2: treaty traders and investors. E visa guide
- TN: Canadian and Mexican professionals. TN guide
- R-1: religious workers. R-1 guide
- I and Q-1: media and cultural exchange. I and Q-1 guide
- K-1: fiance(e) of a U.S. citizen. K-1 guide
Green cards (immigrant categories)
- Family-based: family green cards.
- Employment-based: EB-1A, EB-1B, NIW, EB-2 and EB-3, EB-4.
- Diversity: diversity visa lottery.
- How to apply: adjustment of status or consular processing.
Humanitarian and protection
Citizenship
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This page is general information, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration rules, policies and fees change often. Last updated: November 2026.