Types of US Visas: A Complete Overview

Every US visa falls into one of two broad families: nonimmigrant visas, for a temporary stay tied to a specific purpose, and immigrant visas, which lead to permanent residence. B1/B2 (business and tourism), F1 (academic study), and J1 (exchange programs) are the most familiar nonimmigrant categories, while EB-5 (investment) and the Diversity Visa lottery are the best-known paths to a Green Card. This guide maps out which category fits which travel purpose, what separates immigrant from nonimmigrant status, and the main options available — including specific notes for Turkish applicants, our largest audience, where the details vary by nationality.

Immigrant vs. Nonimmigrant: The Core Distinction

US visa categories split first along one line: does the visa authorize a temporary stay, or a permanent one?

Nonimmigrant visas allow entry for a limited period tied to a defined purpose — tourism, study, short-term business, or a specific program. The holder is expected to return home once that purpose is fulfilled, and each category has its own eligibility rules and permitted activities.

Immigrant visas lead to a Green Card — lawful permanent residence — typically through a family sponsor, an employer, an investment, or the annual Diversity Visa lottery. A Green Card is not itself a visa category; it’s the status you hold after an immigrant visa or an in-country adjustment of status is approved, and it opens a path to US citizenship over time.

Some nonimmigrant categories are dual intent, meaning the holder can pursue a Green Card without jeopardizing their nonimmigrant status — H1B is the clearest example. Most other categories, B1/B2 and F1 included, are not: showing an intent to immigrate can work against a nonimmigrant application.

The Most Common Nonimmigrant Visas

B1/B2: Short-Term Business & Tourism

The B1/B2 visa is, by a wide margin, the most widely used nonimmigrant category worldwide — including for Turkish citizens — covering tourism, family and friend visits, conferences, trade fairs, and short business meetings under a single combined visa. It’s typically issued for 10 years with multiple entries, though that validity period only governs how long you can request entry — actual stays are capped at up to 180 days per year, decided at the border. B1/B2 does not authorize working or studying in the US.

F1: Academic Study

The F1 visa is for full-time study at a SEVP-accredited US school, from intensive English programs through PhD study. Visa validity is tied to the length of your program, and F1 carries limited, clearly defined work rights — on-campus employment, CPT, and post-graduation OPT — rather than open work authorization.

J1: Exchange Visitor Programs

The J1 visa covers a wide range of Department of State-approved cultural and academic exchange programs, best known for Summer Work and Travel and Au Pair placements, but also covering research scholars, trainees, and teachers. J1 requires sponsorship through an approved program and, for certain categories, carries a two-year home-residency requirement before some other US visas become available.

C1/D: Transit & Crew

The C1/D visa is required for pilots, flight attendants, ship crew, and similar personnel entering the US on operational duty aboard a commercial aircraft or vessel, with stays capped at 29 days per entry regardless of the visa’s own validity.

H1B: Specialty Occupation Work

The H1B is the primary US work visa for positions requiring at least a bachelor’s degree in a specialized field, and it requires a sponsoring US employer. Because annual demand far exceeds the statutory quota, most years require a lottery among registered applicants. An initial H1B grant runs up to three years, extendable to a maximum of six — and as a dual intent visa, it doesn’t require you to demonstrate an intent to return home.

Other Nonimmigrant Categories

Beyond the visas above, a range of narrower categories cover specific travel purposes:

Category	Visa Type	Covers
Work	H-2A	Temporary agricultural workers
Work	H-2B	Temporary non-agricultural/seasonal workers
Work	H-3	Trainees in non-employment-focused programs
Work	L	Intracompany transferees
Work	O	Individuals of extraordinary ability (science, arts, sports, business)
Work	P	Athletes, artists, and entertainers
Work	Q	International cultural exchange programs
Work	R	Religious workers
Work	E-1/E-2	Treaty traders and investors
Diplomatic/Official	A	Diplomats and foreign government officials
Diplomatic/Official	G1–G5	International organization employees
Diplomatic/Official	NATO (1–6)	NATO personnel
Media	I	Journalists and media professionals
Transit/Crew	C	Transit through the US
Transit/Crew	D	Ship or aircraft crew
Special	T	Victims of human trafficking
Special	U	Victims of certain crimes
Family	V	Spouses and children of Green Card holders (specific categories)

Turkey’s bilateral trade relationship with the US also makes the E-2 investor visa available to Turkish citizens who invest a substantial amount in a US business — an option not open to nationals of every country.

The Main Paths to a Green Card

Where a nonimmigrant visa authorizes a temporary stay, an immigrant visa leads to permanent residence. The most common routes are:

• Family sponsorship — through a US citizen or Green Card-holding relative
• Employment sponsorship — typically requiring a US employer and, for most categories, a labor certification process
• EB-5 investment — a Green Card through a qualifying investment in a US business that creates jobs
• The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery — an annual random-selection program open to applicants from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the US

Choosing the Right Category

Matching your actual purpose to the correct visa category is one of the most consequential decisions in the entire process — applying under the wrong category, or one that doesn’t match your stated intentions, is a common and avoidable cause of refusal. As a general guide: tourism and family visits call for B2, business travel for B1, university study for F1, exchange or work-and-travel programs for J1, and marriage-based immigration for K1 rather than any of the above.

Get Help Choosing the Right Visa

If you’re not sure which category fits your situation, our team can review your travel purpose and profile and point you to the right application from the start. Request a free pre-assessment to get started.