What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa?
Generally, recipients of immigrant visas have permission to stay in the U.S. for as long as they would like. A nonimmigrant visa is usually for temporary visitors to the United States who may be here to travel, seek medical attention, conduct business, or study. Usually, people in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa are not allowed to work here.
As explained in the answer to “What is an immigrant visa?”, getting an immigrant visa usually means that you will be able to live and work in the U.S. for as long as you want. A nonimmigrant visa, on the other hand, is generally for short-term visits. You cannot stay in the U.S. permanently on a nonimmigrant visa, and you generally cannot work. A nonimmigrant visa is sometimes informally called a “tourist visa” but can be issued for reasons other than tourism, such as medical treatment, business or study. Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for more information.
Related Questions
- What is the difference between a nonimmigrant visa and an immigrant visa? How do I know what type of visa is right for me?
- Can I still receive a nonimmigrant visa if my application for a returning resident immigrant visa is denied?
- What is the difference between an immigrant and a nonimmigrant visa (between a Green Card and a US Visa)?
