United States of America visas
The US issues nonimmigrant visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, J-1) and immigrant visas (employment-based EB-1 through EB-5, family-based, diversity). Policy touchpoints span USCIS, DOS consulates, DOL (for PERM/LCA), and executive-branch proclamations that can shift overnight.
14 routes · 5 without a sponsor · 6 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
USCIS — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ↗ · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- State bar associations (State bars) — US state bars regulate attorneys authorised to give immigration legal advice. Non-attorneys cannot give legal advice on immigration matters; EOIR accreditation exists for recognised organisations providing limited assistance.
- Executive Office for Immigration Review — Recognition & Accreditation Program (EOIR R&A) — Recognises nonprofit organisations and accredits their representatives to assist with immigration matters before DHS and EOIR.
Visa routes (14)
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Employer-sponsored non-immigrant visa for specialty occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
L-1A Intracompany Transferee (Executive or Manager)
Intracompany transfer for executives or managers moving to a US office of a related multinational employer.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
L-1B Intracompany Transferee (Specialised Knowledge)
Intracompany transfer for employees with specialised knowledge of the employer’s products, services, or processes.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
O-1 Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, education, business, athletics (O-1A) or the arts/film/television (O-1B).
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Immigrant)
Employment-based first-preference green card for individuals with extraordinary ability — self-petitionable.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
Second-preference green card with a waiver of the job offer and PERM labor certification, where the beneficiary’s work is in the US national interest.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EB-3 Skilled, Professional, and Other Workers
Third-preference employment-based green card requiring employer sponsorship and PERM labor certification.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program
Permanent residence through investment in a new US commercial enterprise that creates at least 10 full-time jobs.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
E-2 Treaty Investor
Non-immigrant treaty investor visa for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty of commerce and navigation with the US.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
F-1 Student Visa (with OPT and STEM OPT)
Non-immigrant student visa for academic study at a SEVP-certified institution, with post-study OPT employment authorisation.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Exchange visitor visa covering academic scholars, students, trainees, interns, researchers, au pairs, and other exchange programs.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
TN USMCA Professionals (Canada & Mexico)
Non-immigrant work visa under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
K-1 Fiancé(e) of US Citizen
Non-immigrant visa allowing the fiancé(e) of a US citizen to enter the US to marry within 90 days and then apply for a green card.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Spouse of US Citizen or Green Card Holder (IR1/CR1 & F2A)
Permanent residence for the spouse of a US citizen (IR1/CR1) or lawful permanent resident (F2A preference).
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 1 June 2026
Recent United States of America policy changes
·significant
US: premium processing rises to $2,965 and H-1B moves to wage-weighted selection
Two USCIS changes land for the FY2027 H-1B season: the Form I-907 premium-processing fee rises with inflation, and cap-subject H-1B selection switches from a random lottery to a wage-weighted process.
·material
USCIS final fee rule takes effect
USCIS implemented its first major fee schedule adjustment in nearly a decade, including differentiated H-1B filing fees by employer type.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does United States of America have?+
We cover 14 United States of America visa routes across the work, study, family, business, and residence categories. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which United States of America visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
5 of the 14 United States of America routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 9 are employer-sponsored.
Which United States of America visas lead to permanent residence?+
6 of the 14 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
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