Embassy of the United States

Non-Immigrant Visas

What Is A Non-Immigrant Visa?

A non-immigrant visa is a request to enter the United States to accomplish a specific purpose, such as visiting, studying, or working in a specialty job, after which the applicant will return to their home country. This purpose will determine what type of visa you require.

A visa issued for one purpose may not be legally used for another purpose without receiving the proper permission. For example, if you have received a Business/Tourist visa, you are not authorized to work in the United States on that visa.

Visa Validity

A visa's validity is the period during which the traveler may use a visa to apply for admission to the U.S. It does not indicate the length of time the visitor may stay. An officer of the United States Department of Homeland Security authorizes the traveler's admission to the United States and determines the period of authorized stay. For example, an individual issued a five-year multiple-entry Business/Tourist visa may travel to and from the United States until the expiration of the visa but may never stay longer than authorized at the port of entry (usually six months at one time).

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. At the port of entry, an inspector may deny admission to the holder of a valid visa if the traveler's activities do not appear to be compatible with the specified visa category.

Caution: Failure to use your visa responsibly and follow U.S. law may make you ineligible to receive U.S. visas in the future.

Click here (http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/whatis/index.html) for more information about visas.