People choose to visit the United States for a variety of reasons every day. Depending on the reason for their trip and the amount of time they intend to stay in the country, they may need one of various visas. The USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) offers about 185 different types of visas designed to suit a variety of needs. These visas are generally divided into two categories: immigrant and non-immigrant. For foreign individuals wishing to travel to the United States, it is important to understand the difference between a non-immigrant visa and an immigrant visa. For information regarding your options when coming to the U.S., reach out to a knowledgeable immigration attorney in NYC.
What is a Non-Immigrant Visa?
A non-immigrant visa is issued to foreign nationals who are attempting to enter the United States temporarily. They may be traveling for tourism, education, business reasons, to get certain medical treatments, or to perform temporary jobs.
What is an Immigrant Visa?
An immigrant visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to travel to the United States to live and work there permanently. They want to move to the U.S. and start a life there on an indefinite timeline. Those requesting immigrant visas often have relatives or an employer in the country acting as a sponsor.
What is the Main Difference?
The main difference between a non-immigrant and an immigrant visa is the intention of the individual’s travel into the U.S. and their length of stay. It is generally more difficult to obtain an immigrant visa than a non-immigrant visa as there is a thorough vetting process before an applicant can be approved and issued residency.
Do I Need a Visa for a Short Trip to the United States?
Individuals traveling to the U.S. for leisure or business purposes and who do not have an intention to stay permanently in the country may or may not need a visa before entering. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows the citizens of participating countries to travel into the U.S. without getting a visa first, given that the purpose of their trip is leisure or business and that they stay for 90 days or less. The following countries do not require a travel visa, though citizens may be required to meet certain criteria.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
Whether or not you will be required to obtain a visa before visiting the U.S. will depend on your specific circumstances. Some individuals from the above countries choose to get a visa as an added layer of security. For more information on visa requirements in the United States, reach out to an experienced visa immigration lawyer in New York City.
