A non-immigrant visa is most frequently a tourist, business, student or specialty worker travel document that permits you to travel to the United States during the validity of the visa to accomplish a specific purpose, such as visiting, studying or working in a specialty job.

Individuals who are traveling to the United States for a temporary purpose are classified under US law as non-immigrants, since they do not intend to remain there permanently. These persons must obtain a "non-immigrant visa" (NIV). Individuals who are traveling to the United States to live and work permanently are classified as immigrants and must obtain an "immigrant visa" (IV) permitting them to stay indefinitely.

Visa Type	Basis for Eligibility
A-1	Diplomatic employees
A-2	Officials or employees of foreign governments
B-1	Business Visitors
B-2	Tourists
C-1 "Transit Visa"	For passing through at a US airport or seaport
D-1 "Crew member"	For people serving on a ship or plane, landing or docking temporarily.
E-1	Treaty Traders
E-2	Treaty Investors
F-1	Students;academic,including at colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, academic high schools, other academic institutions, and in language training
G-1	Employees of International Organizations who are representing foreign governments
H-1B	Temporary professionals(for specialty occupations such as doctors, engineers, physical therapists, computer professionals; must have at least a bachelor's degree) H4 visa is for dependents
H-2A	Temporary agricultural workers
H-2B	Temporary and seasonal workers
H-3	Trainees
I	Representatives of international media
J-1	Exchange visitors
K-1	Fiancees and fiances of US citizens
K-3	Spouses of US citizens awaiting approval of their visa petition and a green card
L-1	Intracompany transferees L2 for dependents of L1
M-1	Vocational students
O-1	People with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, business, athletics or education, and their support staff
P-1	Entertainers, performers and athletes and their support staff
P-2	Cultural exchange entertainers
P-3	Artists and entertainers presenting culturally unique programs
Q-1	Exchange visitors
R-1	Religious workers
S-1	Witnesses in a criminal investigation
T	Women and children who are in the United States because they are victims of human trafficking
U	Victims of criminal abuse in the United States who are assisting law enforcement authorities
V	Spouse and unmarried son and daughters(2A) of US lawful permanent residents who have already waited for 3 years for approval of their visa petition or the availability of green card, and who visa petition was on file by December 21, 2000.