What is the difference between an immigrant and a nonimmigrant visa?
An immigrant visa grants the privilege of living and working permanently in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is issued to persons with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, for example, tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study. For more information, see our Temporary Visitor Home Page, our Immigration Home Page, or FAQs on Permanent Residency (Immigration).
An immigrant visa is the visa issued to persons wishing to live and/or work permanently in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, for example, for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.
Immigrant visas are issued to persons intending to live permanently in the United States. To qualify for an immigrant visa, a close relative or prospective employer generally must file a petition on behalf of the applicant. Immigrant visas are also available through the diversity visa lottery. Nonimmigrant visas are issued to persons who wish to travel to the United States for a temporary stay, often for tourism, business, temporary work, or study, and are able to demonstrate that they intend to return to their home country at the conclusion of a temporary stay in the U.S. Q: What must be done to invite someone for a visit to the United States? A: Hosts may send a potential guest a letter of invitation including the guest’s name and the reason for the visit. Such letters should also include the anticipated period of stay in the U.S. and a statement of which expenses will be borne by the host. Hosts are reminded, however, that visa applicants must qualify for a visa in their own right a
An immigrant visa grants the privilege of living and working permanently in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is issued to persons with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, for example, tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study. For more information, see our Immigration Home Page, our Temporary Visitor Home Page, or FAQs for Temporary Visitors (Nonimmigrants).
An immigrant visa is the visa issued to persons wishing to live permanently in the United States. A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis, for example, tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, or study.
Related Questions
- What is the difference between a nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa? How do I know what type of visa is right for me?
- Can I still receive a nonimmigrant visa if my application for a returning resident immigrant visa is denied?
- What is the difference between an immigrant and a nonimmigrant visa (between a Green Card and a US Visa)?
