Types of Visas: Immigration Classifications Chart
The following chart is based upon a publication distributed by NAFSA: Association of International Educators entitled, Immigration Classifications & Legal Employment of Foreign Nationals in the United States, by Gail Rawson. The complete chart may be ordered by contacting NAFSA. The following condensed adaptation provides a concise description of each visa classification.
Visa
Classification
A-1 / A-2
A-3
B-1
B-2
Description
Foreign Diplomatic Personnel: Individuals in the U.S. as employees of a foreign government (e.g., ambassador, minister, diplomat, or consular officer).
Dependent of A-1 / A-2 Visa Holder: Immediate family members of foreign government official (NOTE: Dependents also carry A-1 / A-2 status). May engage in full-time or part-time study. All work (on-campus or off-campus) must be approved by the U.S. Department of State by using Form I-566. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from the INS is required.
Employee of Foreign Government Official: Attendants, servants, or personal employees of foreign government officials.
Visitor for Business: Individuals in the U.S. for a short period of time to engage in business activities such as negotiating contracts for overseas employees, consulting with business associates, attending professional conferences, or conducting independent research. May not engage in any employment in the U.S., including salaried work or services performed on an independent basis. Incidental part-time study is allowed.
Visitor for Tourism: Individuals in the U.S. for travel, tourism, or
recreation. No employment is allowed. Reimbursement of expenses is prohibited. Incidental part-time study is allowed. May also enroll in short-term English language courses as long as the course of study is
Visa Waiver
C-1
D-1 / D-2
E-1
E-2
F-1
under 18 hours per week (part-time) and of \
Prospective Student or Prospective Scholar: Individuals who enter the U.S.indicating a clear intent to study here or to change to J-1 Exchange Visitor Status. Consulate notation on visa page indicates \status. Individual must apply for a change of status before the expiration date on the I-94. May engage in full-time study. May not work, including during the time in which the application for a change of status is pending.
Waiver for Business (VWB) and Tourism (VWT): Individuals permitted to enter the U.S. without a visa for a stay limited to 90 days. Available only to citizens of countries designated by the U.S. Department of State. No extension or change of status is allowed for this category. Work and study restrictions are the same as B-1/B-2 counterparts.
Aliens in Transit: Individuals in transit from one country to another \
Alien Crewman: Crew members employed on a vessel or aircraft who are in the U.S. on \
Treaty Trader: Individuals in the U.S. to conduct trade under a treaty between their country and the U.S., and key employees of companies trading under such treaty. E-1 dependents may engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed for dependents.
Treaty Investor: Individuals in the U.S. to develop or direct the
operations of an enterprise in which they have invested substantial investments. Must be based on a treaty between visa holder's country and the U.S. E-2 dependents may engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed for dependents.
Student: Individuals in the U.S. engaging in a full course of academic or language study in an accredited educational programs. For information about employment authorization, read about the F-1 Student
Employment Options. For more detailed information about maintaining legal F-1 status within the U.S., go to Maintaining Your Legal F-1 Status.
F-2
Dependent of F-1 Visa Holder: Spouse and/or children of an F-1 student. Maynot engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
G-1
Representative of International Organization: Individuals in the U.S. as representatives of an international organization (e.g., the United
Nations) and their dependents. Dependents may engage in part-time or full-time study. All work (on-campus or off-campus) for dependents must first be approved by the U.S. Department of State using Form I-566. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from INS is required.
G-2
G-3
G-4
G-5
Personal Employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-4 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time study.
H-1A
Registered Nurse: Individuals in the U.S. to perform professional nursing services for a specific employer for a fixed period of time. May engage in part-time study while maintaining H visa status.
H-1B
Temporary Worker in a Specialty Occupation: Individuals in the U.S. to perform professional services in a specific position for a fixed period of time. Employment authorization is granted for an initial period of up to 3 years. Extensions for an additional 3 years are possible. May engage in part-time study while maintaining H visa status.
H-2A
Temporary Agricultural Worker: May engage in part-time study while maintaining H visa status.
H-2B
Skilled or Unskilled Worker: Individuals in the U.S. in a temporary position for which a shortage of U.S. workers exists, working for a specific employer for a fixed period of time. May engage in part-time study while maintaining H visa status.
H-3
Trainee: Individuals in the U.S. for a temporary period to participate in a training program provided by a specific employer. May engage in part-time study while maintaining H visa status.
H-4
Dependent of H Visa Holder: May engage in full-time or part-time study. No employment is allowed.
I
Representative of Foreign Information Media: Individuals in the U.S. as journalists or representatives of international media and their dependents.
Exchange Visitor (Student): Individuals in the U.S. as exchange visitors for the primary purpose of studying at an academic institution under the auspices of the United States Department of State and a Designated Program Sponsor. For information about employment authorization, read more about J-1 Student Employment Options. For more detailed information about maintaining legal J-1 student status within the U.S., read more about Maintaining Your Legal J-1 Status.
J-1
Exchange Visitor (Short-term Scholar, Professor, Researcher, or
Specialist): Individuals in the U.S. as visiting researchers or professors under the auspices of the United States Information Agency and a Designated Program Sponsor. For more detailed information about maintaining legal J-1 exchange visitor status within the U.S., read more about Maintaining Your Legal J-1 Status.
J-1
Au Pair: Individuals in the U.S. under the auspices of the United States Information Agency and a Designated Program Sponsor to serve as a live-in child-care provider for a host family.
J-2
Dependent of J-1 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. Eligible to apply for INS for work authorization. Once the
Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is issued by INS, the J-2 may work for any employer for the dates indicated on the card. Employment cannot be needed for the financial support of the J-1 visa holder.
L-1
L-2
M-1
M-2
NATO 1-6
O-1
O-2
O-3
P-1
Intracompany Transferee: Individuals in the U.S. who have been
transferred from a subsidiary, affiliate, or branch office overseas to the U.S. to work in an executive, managerial, or specialist capacity. May engage in part-time study.
Dependent of L-1 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
Vocational Student: Individuals in the U.S. enrolled in a vocational
school or program. Must study full-time unless otherwise authorized by a Designated School Official (DSO). May be employed for practical
training in the field related to major following completion of studies for a maximum of 6 months. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card from INS is required.
Dependent of M-1 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
NATO Personnel: Individuals in the U.S. as members of the armed services of the nations of NATO, staff members, attendants, servants, and personal employees of NATO personnel.
Person of Extraordinary Ability: Individual of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics who are in the U.S. to work for a sponsoring employer or organization. May engage in part-time study while maintaining O status.
Accompanying Personnel of O-1 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time study while maintaining O status.
Dependent of O-1 and O-2 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
Internationally Recognized Athlete, Entertainment Group, or Essential Support Personnel: May engage in part-time study while maintaining P
status.
P-2
Artist or Entertainer Under a Reciprocal Exchange Program: May engage in part-time study while maintain P status.
P-3
Artist or Entertainer in a Culturally Unique Program: May engage in part-time study while marinating P status.
P-4
Dependents of P-1, P-2, or P-3 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
Q Participant in an International Cultural Exchange Program
R-1
Religious Worker: May engage in part-time study. May be employed and compensated only by the religious organization through which the status was obtained.
R-2
Dependent of a R-1 Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment allowed.
TN
Trade NAFTA: Professional from Canada or Mexico who enter the U.S. under the NAFTA agreements. May engage in part-time study.
TD
Dependents of TN Visa Holder: May engage in part-time or full-time study. No employment is allowed.
美国签证种类大全
