United States
Visa Overview
The United States offers different routes depending on your goal. Short stays use visitor categories, students use study or exchange visas, workers use employment categories, and long-term residents use immigrant pathways.
Main Options
• Visitor Visa (B1 business visitor or B2 tourist): short stays for tourism, family visits, meetings, conferences. No employment.
• Study Visas: F-1 for academic programs, M-1 for vocational programs, J-1 for exchanges or research. Limited work rules may apply.
• Work Visas: H-1B specialty occupation, L-1 intracompany transfer, O-1 extraordinary ability, E-2 investor for eligible treaty nationals, TN professionals for Canada and Mexico, plus seasonal programs where applicable.
Basic Requirements
• Valid passport and recent photos
• Purpose documents such as invitation or itinerary for visitors, I-20 or DS-2019 and proof of funds for students, job offer and employer evidence for many work categories
• Proof of funds and ties to home country where relevant
• Fees and biometrics, and for F, M, J categories payment of the SEVIS fee
• Medical exam and additional background checks for immigrant cases
Disclaimer
We provide consulting and application file-preparation services based on official regulations. All visa, residency, and approval decisions are made solely by the relevant authorities.
No. Business visitors may attend meetings and conferences but cannot take employment.
I-20 is issued by a school for F or M students, DS-2019 is issued by a program sponsor for J-1 exchanges. Both are needed to pay SEVIS and apply.
Timelines vary by category and embassy. We review current appointment availability and flag any required priority steps.
