1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Immigration Issues

U.S. Visas

By Jennifer McFadyen, About.com Guide to Immigration Issues

Most visitors and immigrants to the United States require a visa to legally enter and remain in the country. Read up on the types of visas that will allow you to visit, live and work in the U.S. Learn the basic steps you need to take to file for a visa, get help with the forms and find out what you can expect during the process.

  1. Visa Basics
  2. Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas
  3. Immigrant (Permanent) Visas

Visa Basics

A tourist shows his new U.S. visa as the first group of Chinese tourists set out to visit the U.S.

Let's start with the basics first to find out who needs a visa, the type of visas that are available and how to figure out which one you need.

Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas

If you're coming to the U.S. for a short period of time for business, travel and some types of temporary work, you will need a nonimmigrant visa to enter the country.

Immigrant (Permanent) Visas

If you want to live and work permanently in the U.S., you will need an immigrant visa. These types of visas lead to a green card.

Newsletters
  1. Home
  2. News & Issues
  3. Immigration Issues

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.