U.S. visa guides: 27 statuses explained

Plain-language guides to U.S. visas and green cards — ESTA, B-1/B-2, F-1, OPT, H-1B, L-1, E-2, O-1, EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, EB-5, K-1 and more, with official sources.

Last verified: 2026-09-25

Visit

ESTA (VWP)ESTA — Visa Waiver ProgramVisa-free trips of up to 90 days for tourism or business, with an online approval.B-1/B-2Visitor visa (B-1 business / B-2 tourism)For short business or tourist trips, including stays longer than ESTA's 90 days.

Study

F-1F-1 student visaFor full-time study at an SEVP-certified U.S. school.CPT (F-1)Curricular Practical Training (CPT)Work or an internship that is a required part of your F-1 program, approved by your school.OPT (F-1)Optional Practical Training (OPT)Up to 12 months of work in your field per degree level, with a USCIS work permit (EAD).STEM OPT (F-1)STEM OPT extension (24 months)A 24-month OPT extension for STEM graduates working for an E-Verify employer.

Exchange

J-1J-1 exchange visitor visaFor State Department–designated exchange programs: research, teaching, study, internships and more.

Work

H-1BH-1B Specialty OccupationEmployer-sponsored work visa for jobs that need a related bachelor's degree.L-1AL-1A Intracompany Manager or ExecutiveTransfer a manager or executive from a related company abroad to its U.S. office.L-1BL-1B Intracompany Specialized KnowledgeTransfer an employee with special company knowledge from abroad to a U.S. office.O-3O-3 Spouse and Children of O-1/O-2Dependent status for the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of O-1 or O-2 workers.TNTN USMCA ProfessionalsCanadian and Mexican citizens only. Not available to Korean citizens.

Investors

E-1E-1 Treaty TraderFor treaty-country nationals whose business trades substantially with the U.S.E-2E-2 Treaty InvestorFor treaty-country nationals who invest substantial capital in a U.S. business they run.

Extraordinary ability

O-1AO-1A Extraordinary Ability (Science, Business, Education, Athletics)For people at the very top of science, education, business or athletics. No lottery.O-1BO-1B Extraordinary Ability (Arts, Film & TV)For artists with distinction, and film or TV professionals with extraordinary achievement.P-1P-1 Athletes and Entertainment GroupsFor internationally recognized athletes, teams and entertainment groups coming for specific events.

Green card — employment

EB-1A (E11)EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green CardA self-petition green card for people at the top of their field.EB-1C (E13)EB-1C Multinational Manager or Executive Green CardA green card for managers and executives moving within a multinational company.EB-2 NIW (E21)EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) Green CardA self-petition green card when your planned work serves the U.S. national interest.EB-2 (E21, PERM)EB-2 Advanced Degree Green Card through PERMEmployer-sponsored green card after a Department of Labor PERM certification.EB-3 (E31 / E32 / EW3)EB-3 Skilled Worker, Professional and Other Worker Green CardEmployer-sponsored green card for skilled workers, bachelor's-level professionals and other workers.

Green card — investment

EB-5EB-5 Immigrant Investor Green CardA green card through a qualifying U.S. investment that creates 10 full-time jobs.

Fiancé(e)

K-1K-1 Fiancé(e) VisaA visa for a U.S. citizen's fiancé(e) to come and marry in the U.S. within 90 days.

Green card — family

IR1 / CR1, IR2, IR5Immediate Relative Green Card (spouse, child or parent of a U.S. citizen)Green cards for spouses, unmarried children under 21 and parents of U.S. citizens, with no yearly cap.F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4Family Preference Green Card (F1–F4)Green cards for other relatives of citizens and green card holders, with yearly limits and waits.

Programs

Gold Card (Form I-140G)Gold Card (Form I-140G)An executive-order program: a $15,000 USCIS fee plus a $1 million gift, processed as EB-1 or EB-2 NIW.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change often. Check the official source and talk to a licensed immigration attorney before you act.