Whether for temporary trips (business or tourism) or with the intention of obtaining permanent residency (Green Card), anyone wishing to enter the United States must have the appropriate type of visa.
A visa is the document issued by the embassy of the country you wish to visit or reside in, a kind of “official authorization”, which signals to authorities the permission to enter the territory of the country in question for a specific time and purpose.
The choice of the ideal American visa directly depends on your travel purpose. For example, if it’s a work visa, it will depend on your field of work, qualifications, among other factors.
The type of work visa required for a Brazilian to work in the USA varies according to their profession, qualifications, and the type of activity to be performed.
There are various visa categories, each with unique requirements and specifications. Below, you’ll find a summary of the main types of visas and the professionals who typically apply for them.
Types of American Visas
The types of American visas are divided into Immigrant Visas and Non-Immigrant Visas.
- Non-Immigrant Visas (or Temporary Visa): Designated for temporary trips to the United States, including tourism, temporary work, study, or exchange programs.
- Immigrant Visas (or Permanent Visa): For foreigners who wish to reside permanently in the United States.
As an example, within the non-immigrant visa class, we can have categories such as H-1B visa (specialized work), F-1 visa (student), B-1/B-2 visa (tourism and business), among others.
According to the U.S. Department of State, there are more than 20 types of visas between Immigrant Visa and Non-Immigrant Visa.
We’ve listed below the main categories and types of American visas, as well as their respective travel purposes, to simplify your journey to the USA. Check it out!
Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Visa)
Non-Immigrant Visas are granted to foreigners who wish to enter the United States temporarily, for a specific period and with a specific purpose.
In other words, a Non-Immigrant Visa is a type of temporary (or short-term) visa, designated for foreigners who do not intend to move to the United States permanently.
The main categories of Non-Immigrant Visas are:
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Student Visa
- Temporary Work Visa
- Foreign National in Service Visa
- Professional Visa
- Transit Visa
- Among other types of Non-Immigrant Visas
Next, we explain the types of visas related to each specific category of Non-Immigrant Visa from the list presented.
Tourist or Business Visa
The Tourist Visa is granted for leisure visits, tourism, or even to visit family members.
B-1/B-2 Visa: It’s a temporary visa for business, leisure, or medical treatment, which allows work or extended stay in the USA.
Student Visa
The Student Visa is granted to foreign students who wish to attend study programs at educational institutions in the destination country.
Types of Student Visas
The main types of Student Visas are:
- F-1 Visa: For students enrolled in full-time courses at academic institutions.
- M-1 Visa: For students enrolled in non-academic courses, such as language schools or vocational courses.
Temporary Work Visa
The temporary worker visa is granted to foreigners who have a job offer from a local US company, usually to perform specific and temporary functions.
The main areas and professions that fall under the Temporary Work Visa are:
- Information Technology (IT): Developers, systems analysts, software engineers, and other IT professionals are frequently requested.
- Health: Doctors, nurses, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals can find temporary work opportunities in hospitals, clinics, and other health institutions.
- Education: Teachers, tutors, and researchers can obtain temporary work visas to teach at universities, language schools, and other educational institutions.
- Entertainment: Actors, musicians, visual artists, and other entertainment professionals can apply for temporary visas to participate in events, tours, and artistic productions.
- Agriculture: Seasonal agricultural workers can obtain temporary visas to work on farms and plantations.
- Civil construction: Masons, carpenters, and other construction professionals can find temporary work opportunities in large construction projects.
Sports: Professional athletes can obtain temporary visas to participate in sports competitions or train with sports clubs.
Types of Temporary Work Visas
The main types of Temporary Work Visas are:
- H-1B Visa: For skilled workers in specific areas such as information technology, engineering, and sciences.
- H-2B Visa: For temporary non-agricultural workers.
- L-1 Visa: For executives and managers of companies who are being transferred to a branch in the USA.
- O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- P Visa: For artists and athletes.
- Q Visa: For participants in international cultural exchange programs.
Note: The Au Pair visa can be considered a type of temporary worker visa, but with specific characteristics. The duration of the Au Pair program is limited, usually between 12 and 24 months. There are age, education level, and childcare experience requirements to participate in the program.
Foreign National in Service Visa
A B1/B2 visa can, in some cases, be used as a Foreign National in Service Visa, when a foreign professional travels to the United States to perform specific tasks for their company, such as business meetings, training, or technical problem-solving, without the intention of moving permanently.
Professional Visa
The Professional Visa is granted to professionals who carry out high-level autonomous activities requiring specialized knowledge and qualifications, such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, nurses, IT professionals, among others.
The professions that fall under this type of visa generally require specific academic training and registration with professional councils.
Types of Professional Visas
Depending on the nature of the profession, the Professional Visa can fall into various categories, such as:
- H-1B Visa: For professionals with higher qualifications in specific areas, such as information technology, engineering, and sciences.
- O-1 Visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- L-1 Visa: For executives and managers of companies who are being transferred to a branch in the USA.
Transit Visa
A transit visa is a document that authorizes a foreigner to pass through a country en route to another destination, allowing them to stay in the territory for a short and limited period, usually within an airport.
In other words, it’s like a “temporary passport” for those who need to make a connection in a certain country.
Other Non-Immigrant Visas
There are several specific types of Non-Immigrant Visas. We’ve listed the main ones below:
- B1/B2 Visa: Tourist visa.
- F Visa: Student visa.
- H1-B Visa: Non-immigrant visa for professionals who have a job offer in the USA.
- K-3 Visa: Spouse visa.
- K-1 Visa: Fiancé(e) visa.
Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residency)
Immigrant visas are authorizations granted by a country to foreigners who wish to reside and work in that country permanently.
The categories of immigrant visas are:
- Family-Based: For individuals who have close family members (spouse, children, parents) who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
- Employment-Based: For individuals who have a permanent job offer in the USA.
Other categories also include visas for exiles, refugees, and other specific situations.
Types of Family-Based Visas
Family-based visas allow U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents to reunite with their family members in the United States. The categories vary according to the degree of kinship and the legal status of the sponsor (U.S. citizen or permanent resident).
The main categories of family-based immigrant visas are:
Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas (Unlimited)
- Spouses of U.S. citizens: Wives or husbands of U.S. citizens.
- Unmarried children under 21 years of age of U.S. citizens: Includes biological, adopted, and stepchildren.
- Parents of U.S. citizens over 21 years old: Biological or adoptive parents of U.S. citizens who are over 21 years old.
Family Preference Immigrant Visas
- First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters (over 21 years old) of U.S. citizens.
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years old of lawful permanent residents.
- Third Preference (F3): Married children of U.S. citizens.
Other Categories
- Orphans: Children who have been adopted or are in the process of being adopted by a U.S. citizen.
- Siblings: Unmarried siblings of U.S. citizens, provided the citizen is over 21 years old.
Fiancé(E) Visa
The fiancé(e) visa is granted to foreign citizens who wish to marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in the United States and subsequently apply for permanent residency in the same country.
The fiancé(e) visa is considered an Immigrant Visa, because the ultimate intention is immigration to the country. However, the temporary nature of the visa is justified by the need for the marriage to occur within the established timeframe.
In other words, it is a temporary visa that allows a foreigner to enter a country to marry a citizen or permanent resident of that country. The intention is that, after the marriage, the foreigner can apply for permanent residency.
Types of Employment-Based Visas
There are various types of Employment-Based Visas, each category with specific criteria, as we will see below.
The main categories of work visas in the USA are:
EB-1: Priority Workers
This category is for individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding researchers; and executives and managers of multinational companies.
- EB-1A: Individuals with extraordinary abilities.
- EB-1B: Outstanding professors and researchers.
- EB-1C: Executives and managers of multinational companies.
EB-2: Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability
This category is for professionals who have a master’s or doctoral degree in a specialized field, or individuals with exceptional abilities in sciences, arts, or business.
- EB-2-NIW: National Interest Waiver: For individuals who can demonstrate that their work will benefit the United States on a national level.
EB-3: Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers
- EB-3: Skilled workers: Require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a specific occupation.
- EB-3: Professional: Require at least two years of experience in a specific occupation.
- EB-3: Unskilled workers: For jobs that do not require a high school diploma or work experience.
EB-5: Investors
This category is for individuals who invest a significant amount in a business in the United States and create a specific number of jobs.
It is crucial that the foreign professional and the hiring company are aware of all legal requirements to avoid problems and ensure compliance.
Types of Professional Visas
Professional visas allow foreigners with specific qualifications to work in the United States temporarily or permanently. The choice of the ideal visa depends on your profession, experience, and the needs of both the employer and the candidate.
With a temporary visa, the candidate has a deadline to stay in the USA, being tied to the company. With a permanent residence visa, such as the EB-2 NIW visa, the candidate does not depend on an American employer to get the Green Card.
Immigration Visas (Permanent Employment)
- EB-1: For priority workers, such as outstanding researchers, university professors, and multinational executives.
- EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities.
- EB-2 NIW: For professionals who excel in their field and do not require a job offer.
- EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers.
Temporary Work Visas
- H-1B: Intended for highly skilled professionals in specific areas that require a bachelor’s degree or higher. It is one of the most common and competitive visas.
- L-1: For executives, managers, and specialized employees transferred by multinational companies to work in their U.S. branches.
- O-1: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- P-1: For athletes and entertainment artists who will perform in the United States.
Most in-demand professions in the USA with professional visas
The job market in the United States is dynamic and presents a constant demand for qualified professionals in various fields.
Professional visas such as H-1B, for example, allow American companies to hire qualified foreigners to fill these positions.
Some of the most in-demand professions that fit professional visas include:
Information Technology (IT)
- Software developers: Specialists in programming languages such as Python, Java, C++, and others.
- Software engineers: Responsible for software design, development, and testing.
- Data scientists: Collect, analyze, and interpret large volumes of data to make strategic decisions.
- Cybersecurity specialists: Protect systems and networks against cyber attacks.
- Systems analysts: Design, implement, and manage information systems.
Engineering
- Software engineers: Already mentioned in the IT category, they also fit into this area.
- Civil engineers: Design and build infrastructures such as bridges, highways, and buildings.
- Mechanical engineers: Develop and test mechanical devices.
- Electrical engineers: Work with electrical and electronic systems.
- Biomedical engineers: Apply engineering principles to solve problems in healthcare.
Healthcare
- Doctors: Specialists in various areas of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology, and pediatrics.
- Nurses: Nursing professionals with different specializations.
- Pharmacists: Dispense medications and offer advice on medication use.
- Occupational therapists: Help people develop skills to perform daily activities.
- Physical therapists: Use techniques to restore and improve physical function.
Finance and Accounting
- Financial analysts: Evaluate investments and offer financial advice.
- Accountants: Prepare tax returns and conduct audits.
- Actuaries: Assess risks and establish prices for insurance.
- Project managers: Plan, organize, and control projects.
Other sectors with high demand
- Education: University professors and researchers in various fields.
- Marketing: Digital and traditional marketing professionals.
Consulting: Consultants in various business areas.
