Whether for temporary trips (business or tourism) or even for the intention of gaining permanent residency (Green Card), anyone wishing to enter the United States needs the right type of visa.
A visa is a document issued by the embassy of the country where you wish to visit or reside, a sort of “official authorization”, which gives the authorities permission to enter the territory of the country in question for a certain period of time and for a certain purpose. A choosing the right American visa
depends directly on the purpose of your trip. For example, if it’s a work visa, it will depend on your field of work, qualifications and so on.
O type of visa required for a Brazilian to work in the USA varies according to their profession, qualifications and the type of activity they will be performing. There are different visa categories
each with unique requirements and specifications. Below you will find a summary of main types of visas and the professionals who usually apply for them.
Types of American Visa
American visas are divided into immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas.
- Non-Immigrant Visas (or Temporary Visas): Designated for temporary travel to the United States, including tourism, temporary work, study or exchange.
- Immigrant Visas (or Permanent Visas): For foreigners who wish to reside permanently in the United States.
As an example, within the non-immigrant visa class, we can have the categories of H-1B visa (specialized work), F-1 visa (student), B-1/B-2 visa (tourism and business), among others.
According to the United States Department of State, there are more than 20 types of visas, including Immigrant Visa e Non-Immigrant Visas.
Below we list the main categories and types of American visasand the purpose of the trip, in order to make your journey to the USA easier. Check it out!
Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Visas)
Non-immigrant visas are granted to foreigners who wish to enter the United States temporarily, for a fixed period and for a specific purpose.
In other words, the Non-Immigrant Visa is a type of temporary (or short-term) visa, designed for foreigners who have no intention of moving to the United States permanently.
The main categories of Non-Immigrant Visa are:
- Tourist visa
- Business Visa
- Student visa
- Temporary Work Visa
- Visas for Foreigners on Service
- Liberal Professional Visa
- Transit visa
- Among other types of Non-Immigrant Visas
Next, we’ll explain which types of visa are related to each specific category of Non-Immigrant Visa on the list.
Tourist visa or Business visa
The Tourist Visa is granted in cases of visits for leisure, tourism or even to visit family members.
B-1/B-2 visa: This is a temporary visa for business, pleasure or medical treatment, which allows work or prolonged stay in the USA.
Student visa
The Student Visa is granted to foreign students who wish to attend study programs at educational institutions in their destination country.
Types of Student Visa
The main types of student visa 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
Temporary worker visas are granted to foreigners who have been offered a job with a local US company, usually to perform specific, temporary duties.
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 often in demand.
- Health Doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and other health 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 take part in events, tours and artistic productions.
- Agriculture: Seasonal agricultural workers can obtain temporary visas to work on farms and plantations.
- Construction: Bricklayers, carpenters and other construction professionals can find temporary work opportunities on large building projects.
Sports: Professional athletes can obtain temporary visas to take part in sports competitions or train at sports clubs.
Types of Temporary Work Visa
The main types of Temporary Work Visa are:
- H-1B visa: For specialized workers in specific fields, such as information technology, engineering and science.
- H-2B visa: For temporary non-agricultural workers.
- L-1 visa: For executives and managers of companies that are being transferred to a branch in the USA.
- O-1 visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.
- Visa P: 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. A the duration of the au pair program is limitedThis is generally between 12 and 24 months. There are age, education level and childcare experience requirements to participate in the program.
Visas for Foreigners on Service
A B1/B2 visa visa can, in some cases, be used as a Foreigner on Duty Visa, when a foreign professional travels to the United States to carry out specific tasks for their company, such as business meetings, training or solving technical problems, with no intention of moving permanently.
Liberal Professional Visa
The Liberal Professional Visa is granted to professionals who carry out autonomous activities with a high level of qualification and specialized knowledge, such as doctors, lawyers, dentists, nurses, IT professionals, etc.professionals, among others.
The professions that fall under this type of visa generally require specific academic training and registration with professional councils.
Types of Liberal Professional Visas
Depending on the nature of the profession, the Liberal Profession Visa can fall into several categories, such as:
- H-1B visa: For professionals with higher qualifications in specific fields, such as information technology, engineering and science.
- O-1 visa: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.
- L-1 visa: For executives and managers of companies that are being transferred to a branch in the USA.
Transit visa
A transit visa is a document that authorizes a foreigner to transit through a country towards another destination, allowing them to stay in the territory for a short and limited period, usually inside an airport.
In other words, it’s like a “temporary passport” for those who need to make a connection in a particular country.
Other Non-Immigrant Visas
There are several specific types of Non-Immigrant Visa. We’ve listed the main ones below:
- B1/B2 visa: Visa for tourism.
- 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: Engagement visa.
Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence)
Immigrant visas are permits granted by a country to foreigners who wish to live 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 US.
Other categories include visas for exiles, refugees and others.
Family-Based Visa Types
Family-based visas allow American citizens and legal permanent residents to bring their family members together in the United States. The categories vary according to the degree of kinship and the legal status of the sponsor (US citizen or permanent resident).
The main categories of family-based immigration visas are:
Immediate Immigrant Visas (Unlimited)
- Spouses of American citizens: Wives or husbands of American citizens.
- Unmarried children under the age of 21 of American citizens: Includes biological, adopted and stepchildren.
- Parents of American citizens over the age of 21: Biological or adoptive parents of US citizens who are over 21.
Family Preference Immigrant Visas
- First Preference (F1): Unmarried children (over the age of 21) of U.S. citizens.
- Second Preference (F2): Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 of legal permanent residents.
- Third Preference (F3): Married children of American citizens.
Other categories
- Orphans: Children who have been adopted or are in the process of being adopted by an American citizen.
- Siblings: Unmarried siblings of US citizens, as long as the citizen is over 21.
Bride’s Visa
The fiancée visa is granted to foreign citizens who wish to marry a citizen or permanent resident of the United States and subsequently apply for permanent residence there.
The fiancé visa is considered an Immigrant Visa, because the ultimate intention is to immigrate to the country. However, the temporary nature of the visa is justified by the need for the marriage to take place within the established period.
In other words, it’s a temporary visa which 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 residence.
Employment-based visa types
There are several types of employment-based visas, each category with specific criteria, as we’ll see below.
The main categories of work visa in the USA are:
EB-1: Priority Workers
This category is aimed at individuals with extraordinary abilities in the 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 degree or doctorate in a specialized field, or individuals with exceptional skills in the sciences, arts or business.
- EB-2-NIW: National Interest Waiver: For individuals who can demonstrate that their work will benefit the United States in a national way.
EB-3: Skilled, Professional and Unskilled Workers
- EB-3: Skilled workers: Requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a specific occupation.
- EB-3: Professional: Requires at least two years’ 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 essential that the foreign professional and the contracting company are aware of all the legal requirements to avoid problems and guarantee regularity.
Types of Professional Visas
Professional visas allow foreigners with specific qualifications to work in the United States on a temporary or permanent basis. Choosing the ideal visa depends on your profession, experience and the needs of both the employer and the applicant.
With a temporary visa, the candidate has a period of time in which to stay in the USA and is tied to the company. With a permanent residence visa, such as the EB-2 NIW visaThe applicant does not depend on an American employer to obtain a green card.
Immigration Visas (Permanent Employment)
- EB-1: For priority workers, such as leading researchers, university professors and multinational executives.
- EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional skills.
- EB-2 NIW: For professionals who excel in their field and do not need a job offer.
- EB-3: For skilled workers, professionals and unskilled workers.
Temporary work visas
- H-1B: Aimed at highly qualified 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 branches in the USA.
- O-1: For individuals with extraordinary abilities in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.
- P-1: For athletes and entertainers who will be performing in the United States.
Most in-demand professions in the USA with professional visas
The job market in the United States is dynamic and there is a constant demand for qualified professionals in various fields.
Professional visas such as the H-1B, for example, allow American companies to hire qualified foreigners to fill these vacancies.
Some of the most in-demand professions that fit into professional visas include:
Information Technology (IT)
- Software developers: Specialists in programming languages such as Python, Java, C++ and others.
- Software engineers: Responsible for the design, development and testing of software.
- Data scientists: They collect, analyze and interpret large volumes of data to make strategic decisions.
- Specialists in cyber security: They protect systems and networks against cyber attacks.
- Systems analysts: They design, implement and manage information systems.
Engineering
- Software engineers: Already mentioned in the IT category, they also fall into this area.
- Civil engineers: They design and build infrastructure such as bridges, highways and buildings.
- Mechanical engineers: They develop and test mechanical devices.
- Electrical engineers: They work with electrical and electronic systems.
- Biomedical engineers: They apply engineering principles to solve problems in the healthcare field.
Health
- Doctors: Specialists in various areas of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology and pediatrics.
- Nurses: Nursing professionals with different specializations.
- Pharmacists: Dispense medicines and offer advice on the use of medicines.
- Occupational therapists: They help people develop skills to carry out daily activities.
- Physiotherapists: They use techniques to restore and improve physical function.
Finance and Accounting
- Financial analysts: They evaluate investments and offer financial advice.
- Accountants: They prepare tax returns and carry out audits.
- Actuaries: They assess risks and set prices for insurance.
- Project managers: They 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.