Types of Visas
US non-Immigrant Visas
B1-B2 kategorijos viza
Visa for business and medical treatment, valid for 10 years, maximum stay 6 months
The B1 visa is intended for those who intend to make business trips but do not meet the requirements to take advantage of the Visa Waiver Program (Program “travel without a visa”) or the stay goes beyond 90 days.
Business generally means participation in meetings, seminars and conferences in the scientific, educational or professional fields, consultations and contract negotiations. (With this visa it is not allowed to be employed, or to receive earnings for professional services from American companies / entities).
While the B2 visa is intended for those who intend to travel to the United States to undergo medical treatment but also do not meet the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program or stay in the United States for more than 90 days.
To obtain the B1 visa it is necessary:
- Documentation certifying the real purpose of the trip, namely: participation in meetings, seminars and conferences in the scientific, educational or professional fields, consultations and contract negotiations.
To obtain the B2 visa it is necessary:
- explain the reason for the trip and the intentions of staying in the country;
- demonstrate if you have the financial means to afford the expenses of the stay;
- declare whether you intend to return to your country of origin as soon as your visa expires.
Visas F/M
Visa for students, valid for 10 years, maximum length of stay during the course of study
Visas belonging to the F/M category are intended for those who intend to study in the United States. The F visa is for academic studies while the M visa is for non-academic or professional studies.
With an F/M visa, you will be allowed to enter the United States up to 30 days before the start date of your study programme.
Furthermore, it is essential to underline that spouses and children (unmarried and up to 21 years old) can apply for an F2 or M2 visa to be able to accompany or join their relatives in the USA.
To obtain an F or M visa, it is essential to apply for enrollment and be accepted by the academy/professional institute recognized by the chosen SEVP (Student and Exchange Visitor Program).
In this regard, it is advisable to visit the EducationUSA website to find out about study opportunities in the United States and the Study in the States website to search for schools certified by the SEVP.
P1-P2-P3 Visas
Visas for sporting or musical competitions or participation in events
Visas belonging to the P1-P2-P3 category are intended for internationally recognized athletes, sports teams or members of entertainment groups who participate in a competition or perform as part of a cultural exchange program / a unique cultural program.
Each visa is divided into different types and characteristics.
Category P visas also include those who provide indispensable services in support of the above persons.
To obtain one of the visas belonging to category P it is essential:
- be part of one of the programs mentioned above;
- really be an internationally renowned athlete;
- be part of an internationally recognized entertainment group.
E1-E2 Visas
Investor visa, valid for 5 years, maximum length of stay for the entire duration of the activity
Category E visas are intended for those who intend to carry out international trade operations or solid capital investments in the United States.
However, it is essential to specify that the E1 visa is intended for those who have constant international trade operations, lasting over time and with a substantial amount, while the E2 visa is reserved for entrepreneurs who wish to build or manage a company in which they invest considerable capital.
To obtain the E1 visa it is mandatory that:
- 50% of trade takes place between the country of the visa holder and the United States but above all that the volume of these transitions is continuous and substantial.
To obtain the E2 visa it is necessary to meet the following requirements:
- the investment in question must be constantly active;
- the investment must come from own funds and be substantial in terms of capital;
- be a member of management;
- demonstrate that the business is profitable;
- own at least 50% of the shares;
- the enterprise must participate in the local economy such as job creation.
H2B Visa
Visa for temporary/seasonal workers, validity 1 year, maximum stay 1 year
The H2B visa is intended for non-agricultural workers with a temporary or seasonal contract.
This type of visa allows American employers to be able to hire foreign personnel for a limited period of time when more personnel are needed for certain commercial activities.
Among the various uses are considered such:
- flight attendants;
- waiters;
- registratorė;
- animal trainers and etc.
To obtain the H2B visa it is necessary for the employer to declare:
- that it had tried to hire US workers first but that, due to the lack of American personnel, it turned to the foreign one;
- that the employment of workers with H2B visas (ie foreigners) does not lead to lower wages and changes in the working conditions of American employees;
- who will offer work of a temporal and seasonal nature.
C1 Visa
Visa for those traveling to the United States for transit only, valid for 1 year, short term
The C1 visa category is foreseen, with some exceptions, for those who intend to transit through the United States, before reaching another country as their final destination.
If you already have a valid category B visa, you can use it to transit through the United States. In addition, it is also possible to transit through the USA under the Visa Waiver Program, if you are a citizen of one of the participating countries and meet the requirements.
To obtain a C1 visa you must be in possession of:
- A valid passport;
- A passport photo for each visa applicant, including children;
- Satisfactory documentation demonstrating the purpose and duration of the trip;
- Documentation relating to one’s social, economic and family situation in Italy.
H1B Visas
Visa for highly skilled workers, valid for 3 years with a possible extension of three years, making the maximum stay six years
The H1B visa is intended for highly skilled workers, which means that the applicant is employed in a position that requires special skills or knowledge.
To obtain an H1B visa you must have:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
- Additional requirements that tend to vary according to the experience required in the job offer (example: special knowledge and skills).
L-1A/L-1B Visas
Visas for personal relocation to a US office, valid for 3 years for executives and 5 years for highly qualified employees, permanent stay
Visa category L allows employers (foreign and non-foreign) to transfer an executive, manager or professional employee with specialized knowledge to one of the US offices.
This classification also allows a foreign company, which does not yet have a branch in the United States, to send an executive or manager with the purpose of opening a new business.
To obtain an L-1A/L-1B you must have:
- qualifications and experience to perform their duties in the United States.
O-1 Visa
Visa for artistic, scientific and athletic workers, validity and temporary stay which tends to vary according to the duration of the service
The O-1 visa is intended for individuals who possess outstanding ability, in the sciences, arts, education, business, athletics, or who have earned recognition for participation in film, television, and are recognized nationally or internationally.
The O visa is normally assigned to:
- O-1A: Individuals with outstanding ability in science, education, business, or athletics (not including the arts, film, or television);
- O-1B: Individuals with outstanding ability in the arts or outstanding ability in film, television, or cinema;
- O-2: Individuals who will accompany an O-1, artist or sportsman, to attend a specific event or performance. To obtain an O-1 O-2 the applicant must be an “integral part” of the O-1A business. To obtain an O-1 O-2 the applicant must be “essential” to the completion of the work of the O-1B. The O-2 applicant must possess specialized skills that are not readily found in a general worker;
- O-3: Issued to the spouse or children of O-1 O-2.
To obtain an O-1 visa you must have:
- documents that demonstrate the real skills of the individual under discussion, these obviously tend to vary according to the figure and role covered (example: published articles, prizes won, Oscars won, awards, successful series, requests from official research or play a part in a film, etc.).
Q Visa
Participation in cultural exchanges, validity and temporary permanence which tends to vary according to the duration of the experience
The Q visa is intended for participants in an international cultural exchange program, with the aim of providing practical training and sharing the history, culture and traditions of the country of origin with the United States.
US Immigrant Visas
Visa for residence through job offer
The Employment Residency Visa is intended for those who intend to immigrate permanently to the United States for employment purposes.
Employment visas can be granted to the following individuals:
- subjects with high knowledge in art, science and managers of multinational companies;
- individuals who hold doctorates;
- individuals with job offers from American companies that possess high levels of education or particular qualities;
- individuals ready to invest substantial sums in the USA.
Visa for residence through family
Permanent validity, permanent stay
The family residence visa is intended for those who intend to immigrate permanently to the United States for personal matters related to their family unit.
This visa is officially called “United States Permanent Resident Card” or more commonly known as “Green Card”, it is a permanent residence permit granted by USCIS (“United States Citizenship and Immigration Services”). Green Card holders are allowed to live and work in the United States of America.
To apply for the Green Card you must fall into one of the following categories:
- spouse/ unmarried child of US citizen;
- spouse and unmarried children of green card holders;
- adult children of US citizens;
- brothers/sisters of US citizens;
- individuals adopted by American citizens.
K Visa - Reunion with your partner
Permanent validity, permanent stay
The K visa or better known by the name of “Fiancée Visa” is aimed at American citizens who wish to let their fiancé enter the United States with the aim of getting married within 90 days.
The K visa may not be required in the following cases:
if the marriage takes place outside the United States (in this case you can start the process to obtain the Green Card)
in the event that the marriage will be celebrated in the United States but the partner in question is already in the United States after having entered it legally (in this case the Green Card can be requested directly).
To obtain the K visa it is necessary to demonstrate that:
- the sponsor is a US citizen;
- the sponsor intends to marry the fiancé within 90 days from the date of entry into the United States;
- there are no impediments to marriage and legal termination of any previous marriage is required;
- the future spouses have met at least once in the 2 years preceding the application for the K visa.
EB 1-2-3-4-5 Visas
Visas belonging to the EB 1-2-3-4-5 category are intended for those seeking to immigrate on the basis of particular abilities. If the candidate has the right combination of skills, education and/or work experience and is eligible, he or she will be able to live permanently in the United States.
EB1 VISA You can fall under the first preference for obtaining permanent residence, if you have extraordinary abilities. This category includes professors, researchers, managers or executives of multinationals. However each professional category has certain requirements that must be met.
EB2 VISA You may fall under the second preference for obtaining permanent residence, if you have certain qualifications such as: holding a university degree or its equivalent, demonstrating exceptional skills.
EB 3 VISA You may fall into the third preference category if you belong to skilled, professional or general workers groups. “Skilled Workers” are individuals whose work requires a minimum of 2 years of training or experience. “Professionals” are individuals whose work requires at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from the United States or a foreign country. The “Other workers” instead are part of a subcategory that includes those who carry out a non-skilled job that requires less than 2 years of training or experience.
EB 4 VISA You may fall into the fourth preference category if you belong to the following categories: religious workers, journalists, Iraq / Afghanistan translators, Iraqis who have served the United States, workers of international organizations, doctors, members of the military, panama canal workers, NATO-6 retirees, spouse and children of deceased employees.
EB 5 VISA The Department of Immigration administers the EB5 visa program. Under this program, business owners (and their spouses and unmarried children under 21) are eligible to apply for permanent residency if the foreign business owner makes a large investment in a U.S. business enterprise, guaranteeing work for at least 10 full-time American workers.