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Immigration Visa Classifications

Terms

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A-1
A-1 Government Officials
⬢ Head of State, Ambassadors, career diplomats, etc.
⬢ Includes members of their immediate families.
⬢ Career Courier

Period of Admission:
⬢ Duration of Status (D/S)
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
- Required for identification and qualifications only.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Certain dependents may be authorized to work.
⬢ Terrorism, advocating for overthrow the U.S. Gov., and activities adversely affecting foreign policy are grounds for inadmission.
A-2
A-2 Other Government Officials
⬢ Full time employees of diplomatic
⬢ Includes members of their immediate families.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Duration of Status (D/S)
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
- Required for identification and qualifications only.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Same as A-1
Notes:
⬢ Part-time couriers are classified as A-2
A-3
A-3 Attendants, Servants, & Personal Employees
⬢ Attendants, servants, or personal employees of A-1 or A-2
⬢ Members of their immediate families.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Admitted for an initial period of three (3) years.
⬢ May be granted extensions in increments of two (2) years.
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
- Required for identification and qualifications only.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ A-3 is subject to all charges of inadmissibility.
⬢ Dependents or family members CANNOT work.
B-1
B-1 Temporary Visitors for Business
⬢ Visitors entering for the purpose of attending conventions, conferences, etc.
⬢ Other activities of legitimate commercial or professional character.
⬢ It does not include purely local employment
Period of Admission:
⬢ A period of entry necessary to conduct his/her business, not to exceed one (1) year.
⬢ Extensions may be granted in six (6) month increments.
- Aliens entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need B visas for business or pleasure trips of ninety (90) days or less.
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
- Aliens with Border Crossing Cards or Canadian citizens are exempt.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ A B-1 must maintain a foreign residence
⬢ The principal place of business must be overseas.
B-2
B-2 Temporary Visitors for Pleasure
⬢ Any legitimate recreational activity, including:
1. Education purposes of other than class instruction
2. Tourism
3. Health purposes
4. Athletes not competing for prize money
5. Non-citizen spouse, child of USC, or LAPR for a temp. visit.
c-1
C-1 Alien in Transit
⬢ Aliens in immediate and continuous transit through h the U.S.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Not to exceed twenty-nine (29) days.
⬢ No extensions
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ A C-1 must possess a ticket and have sufficient funds to complete trip.
⬢ Cannot work.
C-2
C-2 Alien in Transit to U.N. Headquarters
• An alien entering under the U.N. Headquarters Agreement.
• Includes immediate family members.
Period of Admission:
• Duration of Status (D/S)
• Form I-94 noted “D/S at U.N.”
Documents Required:
• Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
Conditions of Admission/Status
• Alien is restricted to the immediate vicinity of the U.N. or twenty-five (25) mile radius of Columbus Circle, NYC.
C-3
C-3 Foreign Government Official in Transit
⬢ Foreign official in immediate and continuous transit through the U.S.
⬢ Includes immediate family members.
Period of Admission:
⬢ Not to exceed twenty-nine (29) days.
⬢ No extensions
Documents Required:
⬢ Valid unexpired NIV and a travel document for entry in a foreign country at thirty (30) days from date of application for admission into U.S.
Conditions of Admission/Status
D-1
D-1 Crewman
• A crewman (Seaman or Airman) departing on the same vessel or airline.

Period of Admission:
• Not to exceed twenty-nine (29) days.
• No extensions
Documents Required:
• Form I-95 (Crewman’s Landing Permit)
• Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
Conditions of Admission/Status
• Make application for entry.
• Present required documents
• Be photographed or fingerprinted if required.
D-2
D-2 Crewman
⬢ A crewman departing on the vessel or airline other than the one which they arrived.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Not to exceed twenty-nine (29) days.
⬢ No extensions
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as D-1
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Same as D-1.
E-1
E-1 Treaty Trader
⬢ An alien entering under the provision of a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation (FCN).
⬢ Purpose of visit is solely to carry on trade of a substantial nature.
⬢ Immediate family is classified as an E-1.

Period of Admission:
⬢ An E-1 may be admitted for an initial period of not more than two (2) years.
⬢ Extension may be granted in increments not exceeding two (2) years.
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Alien may on engage in employment which is consistent with terms of treaty.
⬢ Alien must be national of country they are representing.
⬢ Spouse and dependents may not work.
⬢ Service policy does not allow for deportation if SPUDs are found to be working.
Notes:
⬢ Employees of E-1 may be classified as E-1 if they are executives or supervisors.
E-2
E-2 Treaty Investor
⬢ An alien entering under the provision of a Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation (FCN).
⬢ Purpose of visit is solely to develop and direct the enterprise which they have substantially invested in.
⬢ Immediate family is classified as an E-1.

Period of Admission:
⬢ An E-1 may be admitted for an initial period of not more than two (2) years.
⬢ Extension may be granted in increments not exceeding two (2) years.
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Alien may on engage in employment which is consistent with terms of treaty.
⬢ Alien must be national of country they are representing.
⬢ Spouse and dependents may not work.
⬢ Service policy does not allow for deportation if SPUDs are found to be working.
Notes:
⬢ Employees of E-1 may be classified as E-1 if they are executives or supervisors.
F-1
F-1 Academic Student
• An alien entering to pursue a full-course of study at a college. University, seminary, academic HS, or in a language training program.

Period of Admission:
• Admitted for the necessary to complete studies plus sixty (6) days to prepare for departure.
• Proof of acceptance for enrollment is evidenced by a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for a Non-Immigrant)
• Designated School Official (DSO) will make a reasonable estimate of time required to complete course of studies.
Documents Required:
• Passport (PP) and Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV)
• Form I-20 A-B/I-20 ID are required.
• A CBP Officer will issue Form 1-94 (Arrival/Departure Record) stamped “D/S” as “Evidence of Registration).
• Form I-20 ID MUST be in the student’s possession at all times.
Conditions of Admission/Status
• Minimum of 12 semester hours to fulfill “full-course of study.”
• Alien intends to depart upon termination of student status
• Authorized to work P/T (20 hours) when school is in session or F/T when not in session.
• For internships with international organizations. Student must have a I-20ID endorsed by DSO and a Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization). If approved a Form I-766 (Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is issued.
F-2
F-2 Spouse and Minor Children of F-1
⬢ The alien spouse or minor children of an F-1.

Documents Required:
⬢ Same as F-1
Period of Admission:
⬢ Same as F-1
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ They intend to depart upon the termination of their status.
⬢ Documentary evidence of financial support indicated on their Form I-20 A-b/I-20 ID.
⬢ Dependent on the F-1 maintaining status.
⬢ F-2 may NOT work.
F-3
F-3 Border Commuter Student
⬢ A national of Mexico or Canada who is admitted as a non-immigrant student at a school within seventy-five (75) miles of border.
⬢ Must cross at POE.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Admitted until a date certain for each semester. A new form I-20 is required for each new semester.
Documents Required:
⬢ Mexican Nationals need PP, NIV, and Form I-20.
⬢ Canadian Nationals do not need visa. Must have Form I-20 and proper ID.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Must maintain actual residence in their county.
G-1
G-1 International Organization Rep.
⬢ Principal representative of a foreign government recognized by the U.S. to an international organization
⬢ Immediate family and staff.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Admitted without time limitations.
⬢ Form I-94 will show admission for D/S
Documents Required:
⬢ Passport (PP) for ID purposes only.
⬢ NIV to establish qualifications and proper documentation.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Terrorism, advocating for overthrow the U.S. Gov., and activities adversely affecting foreign policy are grounds for inadmission
Notes:
⬢ If G-1 becomes accredited to U.S., status changes to A-1.
G-2
G-2 Temp. International Organization Rep.
⬢ Temp. accredited representative of a foreign government recognized by the U.S. to an international organization
⬢ Immediate family and staff.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Same as G-1
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as G-1
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Same as G-1
⬢ Can NOT work.
G-3
G-3 Non-Recognized or Non-Member Foreign Government Reps
⬢ An alien able to qualify as a G-1 or G-2 except for the fact that the government of which is not recognized by the U.S. or the government is not a member of a international organization
⬢ Immediate family and staff.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Same as G-1
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as G-1
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Same as G-2
G-4
G-4 Officer of Employee of International Organization
⬢ Officers or employees of an International Organization
⬢ Immediate family

Period of Admission:
⬢ Same as G-1
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as G-2
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Same as G-1.
⬢ A dependent of a G-4 may obtain employment if there is a reciprocal agreement between the U.S. and their government.
Notes:
⬢ If G-1 becomes accredited to U.S., status changes to A-1.
G-5
G-5 Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of G-1 through G-4
⬢ Attendant, Servant, or Personal Employee of G-1 through G-4
⬢ Immediate family

Period of Admission:
⬢ Shall not exceed three (3) years.
⬢ May be granted extension of not more than two (2) years.
Documents Required:
⬢ PP valid for six (6) months beyond date of intended stay.
⬢ NIV
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ All grounds of inadmissibility apply.
⬢ A G-5 dependent of a G-1, G-3, and G-4 may be authorized to work under very specific circumstances.
H-1B
H-1B Specialty Occupations
⬢ An alien coming temporally to perform services in a specialty occupation.
⬢ Occupation requires theoretical and practical application of highly specialized fields of human endeavor.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Admitted for the validity of H-1B petition.
⬢ Valid up to three (3) years.
⬢ Limited to six (6) years.
Documents Required:
⬢ PP and NIV
⬢ May have Form I-767 (Notice of Action) showing approval of H-1B status stapled to Form I-94.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Must becoming temporarily.
⬢ Petitioner must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA) with Dept. of Labor.
⬢ Petitioning employer will be liable for the reasonable cost of return transportation of H-1B alien who is dismissed from employment.
Notes:
⬢ Some H-1B aliens work on Dept. of Defense (DOD) projects. Only 100 such aliens are allowed in U.S.
H-1C
H-1C Registered Nurses
⬢ Aliens entering to practice as register nurses.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Limited to a three (3) year tenure
⬢ No extensions.
Documents Required:
⬢ PP and NIV
⬢ Form I-94
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Must have a full license to practice.
H2-A
H-2A Temporary or Seasonal Worker
⬢ Alien coming to perform agricultural labor of a temp. or seasonal nature.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Period of petition and not more than ten (10) day after expiration.
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as H-1B
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Alien must have a foreign residence with no intention of abandoning.
H-2B
H-2B Non-Agricultural Temporary Worker
⬢ Alien coming to perform labor of a temp. or seasonal nature.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Initial period of admission will not exceed validity of petition, limited to one (1) year.
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as H-1B
⬢ If visa exempt, POE will have a I-129 on file and will admit with Form I-94.
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Petitioned (employer) has an approved labor certificate, certifying the unavailability of U.S. workers.
⬢ Alien must have a foreign residence with no intention of abandoning.
⬢ If dismissed, employer is responsible for the return of alien.
H-3
H-3 Temporary Trainees
• Alien who is coming to U.S. as a trainee.
• H-3 is a category used by U.S. companies and institutions to bring foreign employees in to participate in established company programs.

Period of Admission:
• Initial period of admission will not exceed validity of petition, a period of up to two (2) years.
Documents Required:
• PP and NIV.
• I-94 with I-797.
Conditions of Admission/Status
• Proposed training is not available in alien’s own country.
• Alien will not displace U.S. worker.
• Alien will not engage in productive employment.
• Alien must have a foreign residence with no intention of abandoning.
H-4
H-4 Accompanying Spouse or Child
⬢ Spouse or dependent child of a H-1, H-2, or H-3.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Admitted for periods coinciding with that of principal alien..
Documents Required:
⬢ Same as principal alien
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ May not work.
⬢ Also has the option of seeking admission as a B-2.
I
I Foreign Information Media Representative
⬢ Alien representative of a foreign press, radio, film, or other foreign information media who seek to solely engage in such activity.
⬢ Spouses and dependents.

Period of Admission:
⬢ Duration of employment
Documents Required:
⬢ PP and NIV.
⬢ I-94
Conditions of Admission/Status
⬢ Admission constitutes an agreement no to change employers or type of news media without prior approval from DHS.
⬢ Spouse and dependents may work.

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