Non-Immigrant visas are temporary passes which allow foreign visitors to legally stay in the United States for tourism, study, work, or family reasons.

Even immigration professionals get confused about the dizzying variety of Non-Immigrant visas. So if you are confused about which one applies to your circumstances, don’t feel alone.

Here is a brief primer explaining the main categories:

1. Tourism/Business.

The “B” Category consists of B-1 and B-2 Visas.

• A B-1 Visa applies to individuals entering the U.S. strictly for business. For instance, let’s say that you’re coming to the States to attend an entertainment industry conference in Los Angeles or to give a lecture at UCLA: you’d need to apply for a B-1 Visa.
• A B-2 Visa applies to people visiting the U.S. for medical or social reasons. For instance, if you need surgery at a Houston, Texas hospital or you want to visit an old college chum working in Washington, D.C, you’d probably apply for a B-2 Visa.

2. Family Related Visas.

• K-1 and K-3 Visas are, respectively, available for fiancés and spouses of U.S. citizens.
• The “V” Category is designed for spouses and children of U.S. legal permanent residents.

3. Temporary Visas for Working.

There are a slew of visas for temporary workers, so be sure you’re classified correctly before you petition.

• H-1B Visas apply to fashion models, Department of Defense workers, and workers in other specialty occupations.
• H-1C Visas apply to nurses working in health care areas where there is a personnel shortage (as long as the duration of stay is three years or less).
• H-2A Visas apply to temporary laborers in agricultural fields.
• The H-2B Visa category is a kind of a catchall category that applies to skilled and unskilled temporary workers.
• The H-3 Visa class applies to trainees.
• TN Visas. The North American Free Trade Agreement, as revised per a 2004 renegotiation, designates this special category for our neighbors in Mexico and Canada who want to work temporarily in the U.S.
• L1-A and L-1B Visas. These apply to people transferred within a company. The L-1A Visa applies to management and executive personnel. The L-1B Visa applies to employees with “specialized knowledge.”

4. Educational.

• “Academic Students” can apply for an F-1 Visa.
• Visitors here on exchange programs can apply for J Class Visas.
• Vocational students or students who are studying “Non-Academic” topics will apply for M Class Visas.

5. Temporary Visas for Particular Occupations.

The O Class Visas apply to workers with extraordinary abilities and their families. These “abilities” can be in a number of fields, including the creative arts, business, science, education, and athletics.

• O-1 Visas are for workers with extraordinary abilities
• O-2 Visas are for the fiancés or spouses accompanying the O-1 applicant.

The P Class Visas apply to athletes and entertainers.

• P-1 Visas are given to entertainment groups (like glee clubs, international theater troops, et cetera) as well as to athletes in both team and individual sports.
• P-2 Visas apply to entertainers and artists engaged in exchange programs.
• P-3 Visas apply to entertainers and artists who perform “Culturally Unique Programs.”

The Q Visa category applies to “Cultural Exchange Visitors.”

The R Visa category applies to “Religious Workers.”