The United States of America has one of the most advanced immigration systems in the world. But it is not perfect. There are many different types of visas available to enter and stay in the country, and each type needs to be applied for separately.
But if you want to know more about the process and what’s involved then keep reading. We’re going to explain the various types of US visa that you may need depending on your reason for visiting the country.
ESTA Visa
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) visa is an electronic visa issued by the Department of State. The ESTA visa allows citizens of 37 countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, to enter the US without a visa. It also allows citizens from countries who are not included in the list above to apply for a visa online before arriving in the US.
Some of those countries include Ireland, South Korea, Mexico, Japan and several others. If you’re travelling to the US from these nations, you will be able to get into the country without a visa as long as you are carrying a valid passport and an ESTA form.
This is because the ESTA program was designed to help stop terrorists from entering the country. However, this doesn’t mean that all travelers enjoy the same privilege. For instance, citizens from China, Iran, North Korea and Syria are not eligible for an ESTA visa. Also, there are certain conditions that must be met in order to qualify for an ESTA visa, among them being that the traveler is traveling solely to the US.
In addition, there are some countries where you can get an ESTA visa but you might still need to apply for a visa anyway. These countries include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan. This is because they’re not included in the list of 37 eligible countries. You cannot use an ESTA visa to get into these countries.
So, if you’re not from one of the 37 countries listed above or you’re planning to visit another country instead of just the US, you should apply for a non-immigrant visa first. Keep reading to find out how to do that!
B1/B2 Visa
If you’re looking to visit the US for business purposes, such as attending trade shows and conventions, the B1/B2 visa is ideal for you. The B1/B2 visa allows people from almost any nation to enter the country temporarily, and it’s usually used when someone is coming to the US to attend conferences or meet with clients here.
You don’t have to worry about getting a visa, as the government automatically gives you one upon arrival at the airport. If you don’t have a visa but you need to stay in the country for longer than three months, you’ll want to apply for a multiple entry visa so you can extend your stay.
C1 Visa
If you’re visiting the US on a tourist visa, the C1 visa is the best choice for you. There are two varieties of the C1 visa and they both have their pros and cons. If you plan to stay in the country for less than 90 days, you can opt for the C1/D visa. Otherwise, you can choose between the C1/E visa for stays lasting up to 6 months, or C1/F visa for stays of more than six months.
The C1 visa is easy to obtain and you won’t have to go through the same visa process every time you come to the US. Plus, unlike other types of visas, you don’t even need to appear in person to apply. All you have to do is fill out the necessary forms and send them to the US consulate or embassy in your home country.
H4/L1 Visa
If you have family members in the US, such as children, parents or siblings, you can get the H4/L1 visa. This visa lets you enter the country legally for stays of up to three years. As the name implies, this visa is good for spouses and unmarried partners only; you cannot bring along kids or relatives under the age of 21.
To apply for this visa, you’ll need to file Form I-129F, which requires you to get your fingerprints taken. Once you receive the results of that, you’ll need to pay the fee for $110 (US$97).
Once you arrive at the airport, you’ll be given a green card that you can show to border guards to prove that you have the right to reside in the US. You can get extensions of up to five years, but you’ll have to reapply after each extension period. This is because the Department of Homeland Security keeps records of your previous applications and extensions, so they’ll know that you’ve already been in the country for more than three years.
G1/G2 Visa
If you’re heading to the US to take care of your elderly parents, you’d better apply for a G1/G2 visa. The G1/G2 visa allows you to live with your parents in the US for up to 18 months. Unlike the H4/L1 visa, you don’t need to file Form I-129F in order to get this visa. Instead, you can simply go to your local consulate or embassy to get the visa.
There are a few things you need to know about this visa. First, you must be related to your parents – either by blood, marriage or adoption. Second, you must be over 21 years old to apply for it. Third, you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself while living in the US. And finally, you’ll need to provide proof of medical insurance during the application process.
Permanent Resident Card (Green Card)
If you’re interested in staying permanently in the US, you should consider applying for a permanent resident card. There are two ways to do this:
First, you can apply for a green card yourself through Form I-485. Then, once approved, you can get a work permit and driver’s license.
Second, you can hire a lawyer to assist you in filing Form I-130. Then, once the petition is filed, you can get a temporary work permit.
Either way, getting a green card is an arduous process. So, if you’re thinking of doing it on your own, you should seriously consider hiring an immigration attorney to help you.
For starters, you can expect to spend anywhere between $5,000 and $10,000 on the whole process. And since it takes up to 10 years to complete, you should start preparing your finances well ahead of time.
These are main option of the esta that are in general available for the people. The main motive is to reach the abroad city either to get education or make money. The main motive of people is to get the results that will help in achieving the goals. A person will turn out to be a favorable option.
Plus, this could take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks to get approved. This means that you’ll have to wait for a year before you can actually move to the US. So, if you’re thinking of doing this on your own, you should seriously reconsider.
To learn more about a legal representative, check out our guide to finding the best immigration attorney.
