← All visa hubs 🇺🇸 United States Visa Hub — Visitor, Study, Work & Permanent Residence
The US issues more than 80 visa categories across non-immigrant and immigrant tracks. This hub focuses on the eight pathways that dominate consular filings worldwide: B1/B2, F1, J1, H1B, L1, O1, EB green cards and family-based immigration. Every section reflects the rules in force after the 2024 H1B rule changes and the 2023 fee increases.
US visa adjudication is interview-heavy. Approvals come from coherence: a clean DS-160, supporting documents that tell the same story, and a brief, confident interview answer. Use the worked examples and refusal-mistake lists below to pressure-test your application before booking.
On this page
- B1/B2 Visitor Visa
- F1 Student Visa
- J1 Exchange Visitor
- H1B Specialty Occupation
- L1A / L1B Intra-Company Transfer
- O1 Extraordinary Ability
- Employment-Based Green Cards (EB pathways)
- Family-Based Green Cards
- Photo requirements
- FAQ
B1/B2 Visitor Visa
The B1 (business) and B2 (tourism, medical, family visit) visas are the most-issued US non-immigrant visas. They are typically granted as 10-year multiple-entry stamps for many nationalities, with each stay decided at the port of entry (often up to 6 months). The hardest part of the B1/B2 is not the paperwork — it's the consular interview.
Eligibility
- Strong ties to your home country (job, property, family) that prove intent to return
- Sufficient funds for the entire stay without working in the US
- Clear purpose of travel that fits B1 or B2
- No prior US visa overstays or immigration violations
Required documents
- DS-160 confirmation page
- Valid passport (6 months beyond stay)
- MRV fee receipt (US$185 as of 2023)
- Recent 2x2 inch (51×51 mm) white-background photo
- Bank statements, salary slips, tax returns
- Invitation letter (if visiting family) + sponsor's I-134 if needed
Processing time: Interview wait varies 2 weeks to 18 months; passport return 5–10 working days after approval Cost: MRV fee US$185; no issuance fee for most nationalities Real-world example. Priya from Hyderabad booked a Chennai consular slot 14 months in advance, brought 3 years of ITR, employer leave letter, US sister's I-134, and her round-trip ticket. The interview lasted under two minutes — she was approved for a 10-year B1/B2.
Common mistakes
- Showing immigrant intent — buying a one-way ticket or saying you'll job-hunt
- Inconsistent answers between DS-160 and interview
- Selfie-style photo failing the 2x2 inch rule
- Empty interview folder — bring evidence even if rarely asked
F1 Student Visa
The F1 is for full-time academic study at an SEVP-certified school. It is paired with the I-20 form issued by the school and requires payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee before the visa appointment. F1 holders can work on-campus and apply for OPT after graduation (12 months, plus 24-month STEM extension).
Eligibility
- Acceptance to an SEVP-certified school (I-20 issued)
- SEVIS I-901 fee paid
- Proof of funds for the first year (and intent for subsequent years)
- Strong ties + intent to depart after studies
Required documents
- I-20 form from the school
- SEVIS I-901 receipt (US$350)
- DS-160 confirmation
- Academic transcripts and standardised test scores (TOEFL/IELTS/GRE/SAT)
- Financial sponsor's bank statements + affidavit
Processing time: Interview waits 1 day to 4 months; visa issued 1–4 weeks after Cost: US$185 MRV + US$350 SEVIS = US$535 minimum Real-world example. Wei from Shanghai received an I-20 from Purdue University for a CS Master's. He paid SEVIS, booked a Beijing 221(g) slot in 8 days, brought 18 months of parental bank statements and his GRE 327 score. Visa issued in 4 working days.
Common mistakes
- Last-minute financial transfers that look like loans, not savings
- Failing to explain how you chose this specific program
- Forgetting that F1 visa stamp does not equal permission to stay — the I-94 + I-20 do
J1 Exchange Visitor
The J1 is for cultural-exchange visitors: students, scholars, au pairs, interns, summer Work and Travel participants, physicians and government-sponsored programs. Many J1s carry a 212(e) two-year home-residency requirement, which can be waived only in limited cases.
Eligibility
- DS-2019 form from a State Department-designated sponsor
- English-language proficiency
- Insurance meeting State Department minimums (US$100,000 medical, US$25,000 repatriation)
Required documents
- DS-2019
- SEVIS I-901 receipt (US$220)
- DS-160 confirmation
- Insurance certificate
- Sponsor program acceptance
Processing time: Interview waits short, generally 1–8 weeks Cost: US$185 MRV + US$220 SEVIS Real-world example. Marta from Spain joined a Summer Work and Travel program through CIEE, worked 3 months as a hotel front-desk agent in Maine and travelled for 30 days afterwards. The visa was issued in 5 working days and she had no 212(e) trigger.
Common mistakes
- Ignoring 212(e) before applying — affects future H1B/Green Card eligibility
- Buying generic travel insurance that doesn't meet J1 minimums
H1B Specialty Occupation
The H1B is the main US professional work visa, capped at 65,000 (regular) + 20,000 (US Master's) per fiscal year. It requires a US employer to register in the March electronic lottery, then file an LCA and I-129 petition if selected. Initial validity is 3 years, extendable to 6 (longer with pending PERM/I-140).
Eligibility
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent in the specialty field
- US employer-sponsor and a specialty-occupation role
- LCA certified at the prevailing wage level (Level 1–4)
- Selected in the H1B electronic lottery (or cap-exempt employer)
Required documents
- I-129 petition + approval notice (I-797)
- DS-160 confirmation
- Employer offer letter + LCA
- Educational credentials and evaluations
- Resume, work experience letters
Processing time: Lottery in March; petitions filed Apr–Jun; visa stamping varies Cost: US$215 registration + LCA + USCIS fees (employer-paid) + US$190 MRV (employee) Real-world example. A data scientist from Bengaluru was selected in the FY2026 H1B lottery, employer filed premium processing in May, I-797 approved in 14 days. He stamped at Hyderabad consulate with no 221(g) and started in October.
Common mistakes
- Picking the wrong specialty occupation — RFEs often hit Business/Marketing roles
- Wage Level 1 with senior duties — flagged as inconsistency
- Multiple registrations from related companies (now banned post-2024 rule changes)
L1A / L1B Intra-Company Transfer
The L1A (managers and executives) and L1B (specialised-knowledge employees) allow multinational companies to transfer staff to a US office. Requires 1 year of continuous employment abroad in the qualifying role during the past 3 years. Spouses get L2 visas with automatic work authorisation.
Eligibility
- Qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity (parent/branch/subsidiary)
- 1 of last 3 years in managerial, executive or specialised-knowledge role abroad
- Coming to US to perform the equivalent role
Required documents
- I-129 + L supplement (or L1 blanket I-129S)
- Org charts, employment letters, payroll records
- US office lease/business plan (for new offices)
Processing time: Premium processing 15 calendar days; regular 3–6 months Cost: US$2,500 premium fee + USCIS fees + DS-160 MRV US$190 Real-world example. A senior engineering manager at a German automotive firm was transferred to its Detroit subsidiary. The L1A blanket was used and consular stamping at Frankfurt took 4 days after a 10-minute interview.
Common mistakes
- Weak specialised-knowledge claim for L1B (most common RFE)
- New US office without a credible business plan + funding
O1 Extraordinary Ability
The O1A (sciences, education, business, athletics) and O1B (arts, motion picture, TV) are for individuals with sustained national or international acclaim. There is no annual cap and validity is up to 3 years initially, with unlimited 1-year extensions. Heavily used by tech founders, researchers, performers and athletes.
Eligibility
- Meet at least 3 of 8 USCIS evidentiary criteria (awards, press, judging, original contributions, publications, high salary, critical role, membership in associations)
- US employer or agent petitioner
- Consultation letter from a peer group (where required)
Required documents
- Detailed evidence binder mapped to each criterion
- Expert recommendation letters (typically 6–10)
- Consultation letter from peer group/union
- Itinerary of work activities in the US
Processing time: Premium 15 days; regular 2–4 months Cost: US$2,500 premium + USCIS fees + MRV Real-world example. A UK-based AI researcher with 8 published papers, 220+ citations, two industry awards and a Stanford research collaboration was approved O1A via premium processing in 11 days. She moved to San Francisco to lead an AI startup's research team.
Common mistakes
- Generic recommendation letters that don't address USCIS criteria
- Confusing O1A with EB-1A standard — O1 has a lower threshold but evidence still matters
Employment-Based Green Cards (EB pathways)
Employment-based permanent residence has five preference categories. The most common are EB-1 (extraordinary ability, outstanding researchers, multinational managers), EB-2 (advanced degree, including NIW self-petitions), EB-3 (skilled workers) and EB-5 (investors).
Eligibility
- EB-1A: extraordinary ability, self-petition allowed
- EB-2 NIW: advanced degree + national-interest project, self-petition allowed
- EB-2/EB-3 PERM: labour-certified job offer required
- EB-5: US$800,000 investment in a TEA project + 10 jobs created
Required documents
- I-140 immigrant petition + supporting evidence
- PERM ETA-9089 (for EB-2/EB-3 standard)
- I-485 adjustment of status or DS-260 consular processing
- Medical exam, biometrics, civil documents
Processing time: EB-1 6–12 months; EB-2/EB-3 PERM 18–36 months; EB-5 backlogged for some nationalities Cost: USCIS fees US$700–US$3,675 depending on category + attorney fees Real-world example. An EB-2 NIW self-petitioner working in climate-tech research showed how her work serves US national interest under the Matter of Dhanasar framework. I-140 was approved in 9 months and adjustment took another 11.
Common mistakes
- Treating EB-1 as an automatic upgrade from O1 — different standard
- PERM advertising errors that void the labour certification
- EB-5 projects without real I-526E approvals
Family-Based Green Cards
US citizens can petition for spouses, children, parents and siblings; lawful permanent residents can petition for spouses and unmarried children. Immediate-relative categories (IR-1, CR-1, IR-2, IR-5) have no annual cap. Preference categories (F1, F2A, F2B, F3, F4) wait years to decades depending on country.
Eligibility
- Qualifying family relationship documented (birth/marriage certificates)
- Sponsor meets 125% of Federal Poverty Guidelines (I-864)
- Bona fide relationship — no marriage fraud
Required documents
- I-130 petition + civil documents
- I-864 Affidavit of Support + sponsor tax returns
- DS-260 (consular) or I-485 (in US)
Processing time: IR-1/CR-1 12–18 months; F4 sibling category 15–22 years (worldwide), 23+ years (PH/MX) Cost: US$535 I-130 + DS-260 + medical + visa issuance Real-world example. A US citizen married to a Brazilian national filed I-130/I-130A in March, NVC processing took 8 months and CR-1 visa was issued in Rio in month 14.
Common mistakes
- Joint sponsors who don't meet the I-864 income line
- Insufficient evidence of a real marriage at Stokes interviews
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