A nonimmigrant visa allows a foreign national to enter the United States temporarily for a specific purpose.  Once in the U.S., nonimmigrant visa holders are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visa was issued. 

Nonimmigrant visa holders may have more than one type of nonimmigrant visa but are admitted in only one status.

B-1 - Visitor for Business /
B-2 - Visitor for Pleasure 

G - Representatives of
International Organizations

General requirements for foreign nationals seeking temporary admission include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The purpose of the visit must be temporary;

• The foreign national must agree to depart at the end of his/her authorized stay or extension;

• The foreign national must be in possession of a valid passport;

• In most instances, a foreign residence must be maintained by the foreign national;

• The foreign national may be required to show proof of financial support;

• The foreign national must be admissible or have obtained a waiver for any ground of inadmissibility;

• The foreign national must abide by the terms and conditions of admission.

  Specialty Occupations

H1C -  Professional Nurses

H-3 - Temporary Training Program

Student Visas:
F-1 - Academic Students
J - Exchange Visitor   
M - Vocational Student

J - Exchange Visitors
 Professor or research scholars;  
Short-term scholars;
Bona fide trainees;  Interns;
College or university students;  
Secondary school students;
Nonacademic specialists;
Foreign physicians; International visitors; Government visitors; Au Pairs; Camp counselors;  
Summer travel/work program

L - Intra Company Transferees:  
L-1 Visas      
Blanket L-1 Petitions

O-1, O-2, O-3

Athletes and Performing Artists 

Business, Science and Education

 Athletes, Artists, and Group Entertainers

  Q - International Cultural Exchange Program

R - Religious Vocation or Profession