A valid visa is necessary for most aliens who wish to apply for entry into the United States. Under U.S. law, all aliens seeking admission are presumed to require an immigrant visa unless they establish that they are entitled to receive a visa in one of the nonimmigrant visa classifications.

Visa Classifications
Application for entry to the United States
Visa validity and length of stay in the United States
Special documentation required from visa holders at the Port of Entry
Nonimmigrant visa application
Place of Nonimmigrant Visa Application

VISA CLASSIFICATIONS

The most widely known nonimmigrant visa classification is the visitor visa, which is issued to aliens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business purposes (B-1) or for tourism, visit to relatives and friends, or similar reasons (B-2). Other classifications of nonimmigrant visas are required for persons who wish to enter as representatives of foreign governments (A & G), in transit (C), crewmembers (C-1/D), treaty traders and investors (E), students in academic or language programs (F), temporary workers and trainees (H), journalists (I), exchange visitors (J), fiancé(e)/spouse of a U.S. citizen (K), intra-company transferees (L), students in vocational or other nonacademic programs (M), temporary workers of extraordinary ability (O), athletes and entertainers (P), cultural exchange visitors (Q), religious workers (R), and NAFTA Derivative (TD).

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APPLICATION FOR ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES

A nonimmigrant visa for a particular classification is valid for entry only for the purpose for which it was originally issued. For example, a student visa cannot be used for entry as a visitor, nor can the possessor of a visitor visa enter to study.
Nonimmigrant visas allow foreign nationals to apply to the U.S. immigration authorities for entry into the United States for a temporary purpose. However, a visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. The bearer of a visa is subject to inspection at the Port of Entry by U.S. immigration officials who have authority to deny admission. Therefore, the recipient of a visa should carry with him/her, for possible presentation to immigration inspectors, the evidence submitted to the consular officer when the visa was obtained.

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VISA VALIDITY AND LENGTH OF STAY IN THE UNITED STATES

The validity period shown in a nonimmigrant visa relates to the period during which it may be used in applying for admission into the United States; it does not indicate the length of time the alien may spend in the United States. The period for which the bearer of a nonimmigrant visa is authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the U.S. immigration authorities at the Port of Entry. A nonimmigrant who remains in the United States beyond the period for which s/he has been granted permission to stay may become subject to removal.

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SPECIAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FROM VISA HOLDERS AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

Certain classifications of nonimmigrant visas require special documentation that can be furnished only by an authority in the United States. These classifications include:

• students, who must have a valid SEVIS-generated Form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by the prospective school;
• exchange visitors, who must have a form issued by the sponsoring organization; and
• temporary workers and trainees, intra-company transferees, fiancé (e) s of U.S. citizens, athletes and entertainers, and cultural exchange visitors, all of who must have a specific petition filed on their behalf and approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services.

For additional information, please visit the If You Are Issued a Nonimmigrant Visa page.

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NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION

There is a nonrefundable, machine-readable visa application fee whether or not the visa is issued. In addition, there may be an additional fee for visa issuance based on the Reciprocity Fee. This fee is approximately the same as that which is charged by the other government to a U.S. citizen for a similar type of visa. Philippine nationals are not required to pay such a fee .
 

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PLACE OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas generally apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence.  Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office, it may be more difficult to qualify for a nonimmigrant visa outside the country of residence.

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