What visas are
This is a document that foreign nationals must have to enter the United States. Unless they are citizens of countries with which the US government has a visa-free regime agreement. Visas are two types - immigrant and non-immigrant.Types of visas
In fact, there are many of them and it is impossible to describe all possible. So we'll pay attention to one of the most popular.- H1B These are the so-called professional visas. You'll need it if you go to the United States for a job in a pre-defined specialized profession. One of the mandatory conditions for it is to hold a Bachelor's degree or higher in the specific specialty.
- L1 You will need such a visa if you work in an international company that wants to move you to its affiliate in the United States. The company could be American or not. One of the most important conditions is that you have worked continuously for the company concerned, in its branch outside the United States for at least one year over the last 3 years.
- O1 It is for people with outstanding merit and achievements in the fields of science, arts, education, business and sports or cinema and television production as well as their main support staff.
- B-1 and C-2 These are visitor visas, with their numbers showing the narrower specifics of the visit to the country. The B-1 visa is for passengers consulting business partners participating in scientific, educational, professional or business meetings. B-2 is for travel, it's what's called a tourist visa. It includes stay in the country for holidays, tourism, visits to friends or relatives, treatment and activities of a social or public nature. Often, B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued as one visa: B-1/B-2.
- F1 This is the most common type of student visa. You will need it if you want to study in the United States at an approved school, such as accredited American college or university, private secondary school or an approved English language study program.
- K1 If the love of your life is a citizen of the United States, you are engaged and you are about to get married, you will need this visa just to go live with it.
- EB2
This is an abbreviation of the Employment Based Second Preference immigrant visa. It is important to know that this visa has 3 categories.
- EB-2 A - for people with exceptional abilities in science, arts, education, business or athletics through sustainable national or international recognition. These abilities must be well-founded and documentary.
- EB-2 B - for people with international recognition of outstanding achievements in a particular academic field. They must also have a minimum of 3 years of research or teaching experience in this particular area.
- EB-2 C EB-1C was created specifically for managers and managers who meet non-immigration standards L-1A and are interested in becoming legally resident.
- AuPair This is a programme for cultural exchange of people aged between 18 and 26 years. Participants live in a home environment and provide care services for children of the foster family and attend an educational institution in the US after secondary schooling. The initial period for participation in the programme is 12 months, then you can request an increase of 9 or 12 more months.
- DV Immigrant Visa This is the so-called DV programme. It has been working since 1995 and in it a visa can win through a lottery. Of course, you must meet certain conditions and apply in advance for participation. The lottery aims to diversify the immigrant population in the United States by selecting candidates mainly from low-level countries in the United States during the previous five years.
- Asylum This is a visa for refugees seeking asylum in the United States, such as persecution based on race, religion, class, gender, nationality or political affiliation.
Application for a US visa
It is important to start by stating that depending on the type of visa you are applying for, there is a difference in how you should do it. So first, get acquainted with the conditions of the respective government or embassy sites. But in short, here are some of the main steps in the process:- Determine the type of visa you need. Each type of visa explains the qualifications and the application steps.
- Pay the visa fee. Information about the amount and method of payment will also be found in the type of visa you need.
- Fill out the DS-160 form. Be careful because once the form is completed, no changes can be made in it.
- Create a system profile to schedule an interview.
- An interview at the US Embassy.