Start Your U.S. Visa Journey Now!

Get expert help to simplify your application process

Start Your U.S. Visa Journey Now!

Get expert help to simplify your application process

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Types of U.S. Visas & Permits

What Is a US Visa?

A US Visa is a stamp placed inside your passport. It allows you to travel to a US port of entry, such as an airport or a land border. Your visa indicates that an officer at a U.S. Embassy abroad decided that you are eligible to request entry for the purpose of the visa.

Who Needs a US Visa?

Citizens of most countries in the world require a visa to travel temporarily to the United States. A visa is also needed to study, work or immigrate to the United States.

What Types of US Visas Are Available?

Two main categories of visas are available to foreign nationals. They can select either a Non-immigrant visa (for temporary visits) or an Immigrant visa (to establish permanent residency). In total, there are about 185 types of visas across both categories.

U.S. Visa types

I Have a U.S. Visa: How Do I Become a U.S. Citizen?

If you have a non-immigrant visa, then there is no real path to becoming a U.S. citizen. You can marry a U.S. citizen while traveling in the United States, however, which changes your immigration status and allows you to begin seeking permanent residency. You cannot travel to the United States with plans to marry a U.S. citizen, however.


If you have an immigrant visa, then you have a clearer path to citizenship. As an immigrant visa holder, you are considered a permanent resident of the United States (i.e. a green card holder).


After living in the United States for 5 years as a lawful permanent resident, you can apply for U.S. citizenship. The path to citizenship is long but maybe worth it for some individuals.

Is Everyone Eligible for an ESTA?

Only citizens of the 41 countries on the Visa Waiver Program list are eligible for visa-free entry to the United States via the ESTA.

If you are a resident (not a citizen) of one of the 41 countries on the Visa Waiver Program and your citizenship is with a non-Visa Waiver Program country, then you will likely need a visa to enter the United States.

 

Additionally, the United States recently implemented rules regarding ESTA eligibility. You are not eligible for the ESTA if you answer yes to the following two questions:

  • Have you traveled to, or been present in, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011?
  • Do you have a dual nationality with Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria?
  • Have you traveled to, or been present in Cuba after January 12, 2021?


If you answer yes to either of these questions, then you will likely need a visa to enter the United States even if you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country.

When Does a Visa Expire?

There are dozens of different visas that allow you to enter the United States. Some visas are non-immigrant visas: they allow you to enter the United States temporarily for business or pleasure. Other visas are immigrant visas: they allow you to begin seeking permanent residence in the United States.

 

Visa expiry times vary widely. An ESTA, for example, lasts for 2 years. Some work visas last for 3 years. A temporary non-immigrant visa may only be valid for the specific period of your trip. However, the date of expiry of a travel document or travel authorization is, in most cases, documented on it.

What is a U.S. Visa?

A U.S. visa is a legal document that grants someone permission to travel to the United States. Visas are issued by the U.S. embassy of a foreign country. To receive a visa, you must complete the visa application process before attending an interview with a consular officer at your local embassy. The application and interview will determine whether or not you’re suitable for admission to the United States.

 

The United States encourages people to travel to the country for business, pleasure, education, and other opportunities. However, the United States also has an obligation to protect itself from security threats and prevent people from overstaying their visas. The visa application and interview process is designed to determine whether or not you are suitable for admission into the country.

 

Some visas consist of a stamp on your passport. Other visas consist of a piece of paper attached to your passport. Your visa contains valuable information about the visa holder, including your biographical details (name and date of birth), nationality, date of issuance, and date of expiry.

What is the Diversity Visa?

The Diversity Visa, also known as the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program or DV Program, is a U.S. immigration program administered by the Department of State. It’s a lottery-based program that accepts applications throughout the year. At a certain point in the year, up to 50,000 immigrant visas are drawn from the pool of applicants at random. The Diversity Visa is only eligible to citizens of certain countries, including citizens of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. If you are selected for admittance to the United States under the Diversity Visa program, then you can gain entry to the United States with a green card and establish permanent residency.

What is a Merit-Based Visa?

Some countries use a merit-based visa system where individuals must demonstrate their value before entering the country. The United States is currently debating whether or not to implement a merit-based visa program. Such a program would consider the applicant’s age, education, English language proficiency, skills, achievements, and other qualifications, then use that information to determine whether or not the applicant should enter the United States.

 

Merit-based visas are also called points-based systems. Canada, for example, uses a points-based system. Skilled workers from in-demand trades are given higher priority under the Canadian Federal Skilled Workers Program. The United States may implement a similar merit-based or points-based system in the future.

Praise From Our Clients

Don’t take our word for it. Our clients’ experiences and dreams come true are a source of pride to us. Read on!

Such a relief to finally get reliable help.

I have feard this process for the past 15 years. I have been scared and always worried. Govassist has really made this process so easy and reliable. I have had constant feedback and help when ever I needed it. Everything was clear and the steps were easy to follow. From receiving all the documents to the instructions…it’s was all seamless and perfectly executed. I will definitely recommend this service to anyone who is unsure of doing a visa application. I really wish I knew about this service before.

Dec 9, 2023

GovAssist 💯👍

Highly recommended for my past experience.They are very humble and accommodating for assisting my application of my U.S Visa thats why its smoothly i granted my visa.Thank you Bianca Marchesan and Ramon Morillo.GovAssist!💯

Dec 10, 2023

Transparent, quick and intuitive with a friendly personal flair

Transparent process with personal direct contact to the visa processor. An advantage is the directly chat functionality. The service was quick and the visa application frontend is very easy and intuitive, the progress is good supported through the step wizard with smart default choices. The client needs only 5 minutes to invest for the whole information input.

Dec 14, 2023

My experience was great due to the fact…

My experience was great due to the fact that everything is communicated in a very fast timeline and also the fact that the communication whether it be on WhatsApp or email it is all clear to understand and someone is always updating you to tell you they will be with you shortly

Dec 16, 2023

Really helped us

I was in trouble in Cancun airport when I found out that for transit in New York I needed Esta. Me and my two sons had a flight back home to Italy. We were tired after 3 weeks of travelling in Cuba and Yukatan. The wifi of the airport was not working properly. Our flight was leaving in 2 hours. I got quiet panicked. I just sat on the floor with my smartphone and found your website and started to fill in the forms and payment for transit Esta and they got approved and arrived in less then 2 hours. It really helped us out!

Cristina Luchian
Dec 16, 2023

I would suggest everyone who wants a…

I would suggest everyone who wants a visa immediately to take help from GovAssist. I tried once to apply a visa years ago and first it was sooo difficult to fill up everything by myself and secondly I didn’t get any answer till now. This time I did it with GovAssist at got the visa in one week. The money was worth it. Even if you have any questions you can just write an email and you will get the answer of your question in short time. Not just a automatic created email… Thanks to GovAssist. The money was worth it.

Afsana Chowdhury
Dec 18, 2023

Wonderful experience

Wonderful experience, ⭐⭐⭐⭐😁, GovAssist helped me a lot; after making mistakes in the form, I was denied a visa. The situation was not very good, since the trip was planned and all the tickets had already been booked. They helped me by sending me my visa application form with updated data and a miracle happened, visa was given. Many thanks for your warm and attentive attitude. Best wishes 🙏

Elena Leon Sizova
Dec 19, 2023

One of the best customer service teams…

One of the best customer service teams I have ever felt with, they are efficient and easy to chat with about what you need, if you have a struggle definitely recommend the customer service team

Joe Roberts Nuttall
Dec 20, 2023

AMAZING PLATFORM

I wanted to share that our experience with this platform has been fantastic. It’s a great tool, and the team behind it comprises highly capable and dedicated individuals.

qali mohamud
Dec 26, 2023

Professional and Supportive

Quick responses to my queries, positive experience all over, quick support readily available, kept updated regularly about the process.

Carmel Blackburn
Dec 27, 2023

Why Choose Us

Proven Track Record

Our extensive network of Immigration Lawyers, former U.S. Consular staff and expert consultants has over 350,000 cases of visas/ESTAS on record. Access decades worth of expertise at the click of a button.

Personalized Live Assistance

By an actual person, not a chatbot, in 100+ languages, and 24/7. No matter which time zone you call home, benefit from unlimited support on your case, any day of the year.

Intuitive Digital Solutions

Our easy-to-use online forms ensure a smooth experience, while you get insights on the progress of your case from the comfort of your own device.

Fixed Pricing

Simple, transparent cost structures keep you in control, rather than dealing with hourly rates.
Have a personal advisor by your side from start to finish to maximize your chances of success, and stop months from turning into years.