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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 21 July 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 8 July 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 August 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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 8 July 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.
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does United States of America have?+
We cover 14 United States of America visa routes in these categories: sponsored work, intra-company, skilled migration, investor, study, and family. 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.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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