Temporary visas allow one to travel to the United States to visit, work, or study in the country. Depending on your purpose, the right visa will help you in your temporary stay in the U.S. The following show a few common types of temporary visas and their purposes.
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas
The B-1 visa is issued to business visitors who come to the U.S. to attend conferences, negotiate contracts, consult with business associates, etc. In contrast, the B-2 visa covers visitor visa applicants traveling to the United States solely for tourism, obtaining medical treatment, or visiting family. Both visas typically allow for a six-month stay.
F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 visa category is for international students coming to the U.S. to study at accredited schools, colleges, seminaries, and conservatories. This visa allows full-time study with limited on-campus employment and Optional Practical Training upon the completion of the program.
H-1B Work Visa
The H-1B visa is solely reserved for professional workers who possess technical abilities in information technology, engineering, and healthcare. You need to get a job offer from an employer in the U.S. and then meet some educational and professional requirements. This visa would enable one to work in the United States of America for as long as six years and potentially be granted permanent residence.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
This kind of visa is for visitors to the United States engaged in programs involving visitor exchanges, interns, research, and teaching. This visa category is suitable for programs that provide cultural interchange and professional development in the United States. Some J-1 visas come with a two-year home residency requirement, meaning you must return to your home country for two years after your program before applying for other U.S. visas.
The right temporary visa for you depends on your needs and purposes. Regardless of your situation, knowing your choices is the starting point to accomplishing what you need. Consultation with an experienced immigration attorney like Sadia Ali can be extremely valuable if you have doubts about which visa applies to your case.