There are a large number of temporary visas for a variety of purposes, which can last from a few days to several years. Some of these visas are subject to prior approval by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before they can be issued by the Department of State. Others are issued by the Department of State without prior approval. Visas can be issued to both principal applicants and dependents (spouses and minor children).

A distinction must be made between visas and personal status, even though they share the same alphabetical designation system (under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act). A visa is a document affixed to your passport. It serves as a “ticket” authorizing a foreign national to board an airplane bound for the United States. Personal status is the legal status of a person, which determines the conditions of his/her stay in the United States and the period of time he/she may remain there. The individual’s personal status is established by the USCIS when the person arrives at the border or border checkpoint and can be changed or renewed at one of the USCIS service centers.

The following types of temporary visas are distinguished:

  • Diplomatic Service Visas (and their family members);
  • Visas for business (B-1) or tourist visas (B-2);
  • Transit visas (to go through an airport or a seaport);
  • Visas for crew members of ships and aircraft;
  • Investor or sales representative visas (for nationals of countries with which the U.S. has an agreement);
  • Student visas;
  • Visas for employees of international organizations (International Monetary Fund, Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Organization of American States, International Red Cross, etc.);
  • Temporary work visas. May be for professional work (H-1B), nursing (H-1C), agriculture (H-2A), temporary or seasonal work (H-2B), or internship (H-3);
  • Visas for employees of mass media;
  • Visas for exchange programs (educational exchange programs for students, au-pairs, exchange programs for medical graduates, student internships, exchange programs for professors and researchers, tutors in summer camps);
  • Bride/FiancĂ© and spouse visas;
  • Intra-company transfer visas for employees;
  • Visas for persons going to study in the U.S. (for language study or vocational training);
  • NATO employee visas;
  • Visas for Persons of Distinguished Ability;
  • Visas for athletes and entertainment groups (e.g., band) and service personnel;
  • Visas for cultural exchange programs (e.g., for participants in a folk music festival);
  • Visas for employees of religious organizations;
  • Visas for persons reporting a crime;
  • Visas for victims of the international slave trade;
  • Visas for victims of serious crimes against the person in the form of mistreatment with psychological or physical abuse who are willing to cooperate with law enforcement during the investigation of the crime and the trial;
  • Visas for persons who have been victims of criminal activity;
  • Visas for spouses and minor children of U.S. permanent residents awaiting Green Cards.