Destination Guide
The United States, one category at a time.
The US runs some of the most detailed, named visa categories of any destination we cover. This page organizes them the way people actually think about it — starting with the destination, then the category, then the specific visa type.
Application categories for United States
Each category below links to the full guide for United States. Where United States's own system has named, distinct programs — rather than one general category — we break that out underneath.
Visitor Visa
Full Visitor Visa guide →Visitors to the US generally need a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visa, unless they hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country — in which case ESTA authorization applies instead for short stays.
Business Visitor
Full Business Visitor guide →Business visitors to the US generally use a B-1 visa, unless they hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country — in which case ESTA authorization covers short business trips as well as tourism.
Study Visa
Full Study Visa guide →International students in the US generally need an F-1 visa for academic study or an M-1 visa for vocational/technical programs, both requiring acceptance at a SEVP-certified school and a Form I-20 before applying.
Work Visa
Full Work Visa guide →The US uses several nonimmigrant work visa categories rather than one general work permit — H-1B for specialty occupations (subject to an annual lottery), L-1 for intra-company transferees, O-1 for individuals with extraordinary ability, and TN for certain Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA.
US work visas are a set of named, purpose-specific categories rather than one general work permit — which one applies depends entirely on the nature of the role and your own background.
H-1B (Specialty Occupation)
For roles requiring theoretical or technical expertise in a specific specialty field, generally with at least a bachelor's degree or equivalent experience. Subject to an annual numerical cap and a registration/lottery process in most years.
- Applicants with a US employer sponsor and a role requiring specialized, degree-level expertise
L-1 (Intracompany Transfer)
For employees of a multinational company being transferred to a related US office, either in an executive/managerial role (L-1A) or a role requiring specialized company knowledge (L-1B). No annual cap.
- Employees of a qualifying multinational employer with a related US entity
O-1 (Extraordinary Ability)
For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, demonstrated through sustained national or international acclaim.
- Applicants who can document a genuinely high level of recognized achievement in their field
TN (USMCA Professionals)
For Canadian and Mexican citizens working in one of a specific list of professional occupations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). No annual cap.
- Canadian or Mexican citizens with a US job offer in a USMCA-listed profession
Permanent Residence
Full Permanent Residence guide →US permanent residence (a Green Card) is available through several main routes: employment-based categories (EB-1 through EB-5), family-based sponsorship, and the annual Diversity Visa Lottery for eligible countries.
A US Green Card is granted under one of several distinct legal categories, not one general 'permanent residence' application. Family-based and employment-based categories make up the large majority of Green Cards issued each year, alongside the separate Diversity Visa lottery.
Family-Based Green Card
For immediate relatives of a US citizen (spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent) — who face no annual numerical limit — or for more distant relatives under the numerically-limited Family Preference categories (F1–F4), which can carry long waiting periods.
- Spouses, unmarried children under 21, or parents of a US citizen
- More distant relatives of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, subject to the relevant preference category and its current wait time
Employment-Based Green Card (EB-1 to EB-5)
Covers several distinct categories: EB-1 for extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, or multinational executives; EB-2 for advanced-degree professionals or exceptional ability; EB-3 for skilled, professional, or other workers; and EB-5 for qualifying investors. Each has its own eligibility standard and, for most, an employer sponsor and labor certification step.
- Applicants with extraordinary ability, an advanced degree, or a specific in-demand skill set
- Applicants with a US employer willing to sponsor the relevant category
- Qualifying investors meeting the EB-5 investment and job-creation requirements
Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery
A separate annual lottery issuing a limited number of Green Cards to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US. It's the only Green Card pathway that requires no family or employer sponsor — eligibility depends on your country of birth and a minimum education or work-experience threshold.
- Applicants born in an eligible low-immigration country
- Applicants meeting the minimum education or qualifying work-experience requirement
Family Sponsorship
Full Family Sponsorship guide →US citizens and permanent residents can petition to sponsor a spouse, fiancé(e), or eligible family member through family-based categories such as IR-1/CR-1 (spouse of a US citizen), F2A (spouse of a permanent resident), or the K-1 fiancé visa — generally starting with an I-130 or I-129F petition.
US family sponsorship splits into two structurally different tracks: Immediate Relative categories, which have no annual numerical limit, and Family Preference categories, which are capped each year and can carry long waiting periods depending on the category and country of birth.
Immediate Relative
For the spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a US citizen. There is no annual cap on these visas, so there's no preference-category waiting line once the petition is approved.
- Spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of a US citizen
Family Preference (F1–F4)
A numerically limited set of categories: F1 (unmarried adult children of US citizens), F2A/F2B (spouses and children, or unmarried adult children, of lawful permanent residents), F3 (married children of US citizens), and F4 (siblings of adult US citizens). Waiting times vary significantly by category and by the applicant's country of birth.
- More distant qualifying relatives of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Applicants prepared for a wait that can run into years, depending on the specific category
Parent & Grandparent Visa
Full Parent & Grandparent Visa guide →The US does not have a separate long-stay visa category for parents or grandparents. Extended family visits are generally arranged through the standard B-2 visitor visa, and permanent immigration is handled separately through family-based immigrant visas. See our Visitor Visa service for the applicable process.
Refusals
Full Refusals guide →US nonimmigrant visa refusals are most commonly issued under INA Section 214(b) — a finding that the applicant didn't sufficiently demonstrate ties or eligibility — though other grounds exist. Consular refusals typically don't come with detailed written notes, so understanding what to strengthen for a reapplication is based on the interview and application itself.
US Citizenship (Naturalization)
US citizenship by naturalization is a separate, later step after holding a Green Card — it requires meeting residence, physical-presence, and testing requirements, and isn't automatic once you're eligible to apply.
- Be at least 18 years old and hold a Green Card for at least 5 years (or 3 years if married to and living with a US citizen)
- Meet the continuous-residence and physical-presence requirements — generally around 913 days present in the US during the 5-year period (reduced if married to a US citizen)
- Demonstrate good moral character and pass the required English and civics tests, unless a specific age/residence exemption applies
Naturalization eligibility, physical-presence calculations, and test requirements are set by USCIS and can change. Covalyn Migration does not guarantee approval and does not calculate physical presence or test readiness on your behalf — use USCIS's official tools and guidance directly for your own calculation.
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