Family-based visas are designed to reunite U.S. citizens with their immediate family members. This is the largest category of immigrant visas issued by the United States each year. If you have a qualifying relative who is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may be eligible to immigrate to the United States through this path.

Types of Family-Based Visas:

• Immediate Relative Visas: These visas are available for spouses, unmarried children under 21, and parents of U.S. citizens. There is no wait time or numerical limit for these visas.
• Preference System Visas: These visas are available for married children (over 21) and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as unmarried children (over 21) of lawful permanent residents. These visas are subject to numerical limits and wait times can vary depending on the visa category and the applicant’s home country.
• Fiancé(e) Visas (K-1): These visas allow foreign nationals who are engaged to marry a U.S. citizen to enter the United States for the purpose of getting married. After marrying, the foreign national can then apply for adjustment of status to become a lawful permanent resident.

Benefits of Family-Based Immigration: The primary benefit of family-based immigration is the opportunity to live permanently in the United States and be close to your family members. Once you become a lawful permanent resident, you will be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship after meeting certain requirements.

Employment-based visas are designed to attract skilled workers to the United States to fill job openings that cannot be filled by U.S. workers. These visas are typically sponsored by a U.S. employer who is willing to file a petition on your behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Types of Employment-Based Visas:

• EB-1 (Priority Workers): This category is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, as well as outstanding researchers and multinational executives.
• EB-2 (Professionals with Advanced Degrees or Exceptional Ability): This category is for professionals with advanced degrees (master’s degree or higher) or exceptional ability in the arts, sciences, or business.
• EB-3 (Skilled Workers and Professionals): This category is for skilled workers with at least two years of experience in their occupation, as well as professionals with bachelor’s degrees in their field.
• EB-4 (Certain Special Immigrants): This category is for religious workers, certain government employees, and other special immigrants.
• EB-5 (Investors): This category is for foreign nationals who are willing to invest a significant amount of capital (currently $1.8 million) in a U.S. business that will create at least 10 new jobs.

Benefits of Employment-Based Immigration: Employment-based visas offer a path to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship for skilled workers. They also allow you to live and work in the United States and contribute to the U.S. economy.

Business and investment immigration visas are designed to attract foreign capital to the United States and promote economic growth. These visas allow foreign nationals to enter the United States to establish or invest in a business.

Types of Business and Investment Visas:

• E-1 (Treaty Trader): This visa is available to citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the United States and who are coming to the United States to conduct substantial trade on behalf of a company in their home country.
• E-2 (Treaty Investor): This visa is available to citizens of countries that have a trade treaty with the United States and who are coming to the United States to develop and manage a business that they have invested a substantial amount of capital in (currently no minimum amount, but the investment must be proportional to the business activity).
• EB-5 (Investor): This visa category, also mentioned in the Employment section, is another option for business-minded immigrants seeking permanent residency through investment.

Benefits of Business and Investment Immigration: Business and investment immigration visas allow foreign nationals to establish or invest in businesses in the United States. This can create jobs for U.S. workers and contribute to the U.S. economy. These visas can also lead to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship.

Student and exchange visitor visas allow foreign nationals to come to the United States to study at approved educational institutions or participate in exchange programs. These visas are a great way to experience U.S. culture and education firsthand.

Types of Student and Exchange Visitor Visas:

• F Visas: These visas are for foreign nationals who have been accepted to study at an accredited U.S. college or university, or a high school that is authorized to accept foreign students.
• M Visas: These visas are for foreign nationals who are coming to the United States to pursue vocational or other non-academic training programs.
• J Visas: These visas are for foreign nationals who are participating in exchange programs sponsored by the U.S. government, educational institutions, or private organizations.

Benefits of Student and Exchange Visitor Visas: Student and exchange visitor visas allow foreign nationals to gain valuable educational experience in the United States. They can also help to build relationships between people from the United States and other countries. Some student visas may even lead to employment opportunities after graduation.

Visitor visas are for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States for temporary purposes such as tourism, business visits, or pleasure. These visas are the most common type of non-immigrant visa issued by the United States.

Types of Visitor Visas:

• B-1 Visa (Business Visitor): This visa is for foreign nationals who are traveling to the United States for business purposes such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or conducting short-term training.
• B-2 Visa (Pleasure Visitor): This visa is for foreign nationals who are traveling to the United States for tourism, visiting family or friends, or participating in social events.
• WB (Visa Waiver Program): Citizens of certain countries may be eligible to travel to the United States for short stays (up to 90 days) without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

Benefits of Visitor Visas: Visitor visas allow foreign nationals to travel to the United States to experience the country’s culture, attractions, and business opportunities. They are a great way to build relationships with people from the United States.