Visitor Visas

Visitor visas allow foreign nationals to enter the United States for a limited time without the intent to immigrate permanently. They cover a wide range of purposes, from tourism and family visits to business meetings, government business, and simply passing through the country on the way somewhere else. Each category has its own rules about who qualifies, what activities are allowed, and how long a stay may last.

Tourism and personal travel make up the largest share of visitor visa activity. People coming to see family, take a vacation, or receive medical care generally fall under this category, which sets out what counts as a permissible visit and what documentation a traveler needs to show at the border. Read more in About the U.S. Tourist Visa (B-2 Visa).

Business travel has its own separate track for people who need to attend meetings, negotiate contracts, or handle other short-term commercial activities without actually taking a job in the United States. The line between permitted business activity and unauthorized work is a frequent source of confusion, as explained in About the B-1 Business Visitor Visa.

Government officials and travelers in transit face different rules entirely. Diplomats and other foreign government employees traveling on official business use a distinct set of visas, covered in About the A-1 Diplomatic Visa for Foreign Officials and A-2 Visa Guide: Foreign Government Officials and Employees, while those simply passing through U.S. territory to reach another country rely on the narrower option described in C-1 Transit Visa Guide: Requirements for Passing Through the U.S.