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Nonimmigrant Visas |
General Information on Nonimmigrant Benefits |
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Nonimmigrant Classifications and Visas |
Government Information |
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Foreign Government Officials |
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| A-1 |
Ambassador, public minister, career, diplomatic or consular officer, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(a) |
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| A-2 |
Other foreign government official or employee, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(a) |
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| A-3 |
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A-1 and A-2, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(A)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(a) |
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Visitors |
Business or Pleasure Visitors
Tips for U.S. Visas - Business or Pleasure Visitors |
| B-1 |
Temporary visitor for business |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) |
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8 CFR 214.2(b) |
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| B-2 |
Temporary visitor for pleasure |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(B) |
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8 CFR 214.2(b) |
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Visa Waiver Program |
Visa Waiver Program (Immigration.gov)
Visa Waiver Program (Dept. of State) |
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Aliens in Transit |
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| C-1 |
Alien in transit directly through U.S. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) |
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8 CFR 214.2(c) |
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| C-1D |
Combined transit and crewman visa |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) & (D) |
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8 CFR 214.2(c) |
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| C-2 |
Alien in transit to UN headquarters district under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(C) |
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8 CFR 214.2(c) |
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| C-3 |
Foreign government official, members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee, in transit |
| INA Section 212(d)(8) |
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8 CFR 214.2(c) |
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| C-4 |
Transit without Visa, see TWOV |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3), and 212(d)(5) |
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8 CFR 212.1(f) |
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Crewmen |
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| D-1 |
Crewmember departing on same vessel of arrival |
| INA section 101(a)(15)(D) |
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8 CFR 214.2(d) |
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| D-2 |
Crewmember departing by means other than vessel of arrival |
| INA section 101(a)(15)(D) |
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8 CFR 214.2(d) |
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Treaty Traders and Treaty Investors |
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| E-1 |
Treaty Trader, spouse and children |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(e)(1) |
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| E-2 |
Treaty Investor, spouse and children |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(E)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(e)(2) |
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Academic Students |
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become an Academic Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Students
Dept. of State: Information on Student Visas
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Assistance? |
| F-1 |
Academic Student |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(f) |
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| F-2 |
Spouse or child of F-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(F)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(f) |
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For Foreign Medical Graduates (see individual categories H-1B, J-1, O-1, TN, E-2) |
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Foreign Government Officials to International Organizations |
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| G-1 |
Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(g) |
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| G-2 |
Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(e)(1) |
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| G-3 |
Representative of non-recognized or nonmember government to international organization, and members of immediate family |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(G) |
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| G-4 |
International organization officer or employee, and members of immediate family |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(iv) |
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8 CFR 214.2(g) |
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| G-5 |
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, or members of immediate family |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(G)(v) |
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8 CFR 214.2(g) |
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Temporary Workers |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| H-1B |
Specialty Occupations, DOD workers, fashion models |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(4) |
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| H-1C |
Nurses going to work for up to three years in health professional shortage areas |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(c) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(3) |
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| H-2A |
Temporary Agricultural Worker |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(5) |
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| H-2B |
Temporary worker: skilled and unskilled |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(6) |
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| H-3 |
Trainee |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(7) |
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| H-4 |
Spouse or child of H-1, H-2, H-3 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(H)(iv) |
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8 CFR 214.2(h)(9)(iv) |
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Foreign Media Representatives |
Dept. of State: Revalidation of "I" Journalist Visas |
| I |
Visas for foreign media representatives |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(I) |
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8 CFR 214.2(i) |
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Exchange Visitors |
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
How Do I Get a Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement if I am an Exchange Visitor
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| J-1 |
Visas for exchange visitors |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(j) |
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| J-2 |
Spouse or child of J-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(J)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(j) |
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Fiance(e) of US Citizen |
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| K-1 |
Fiance(e) |
How Do I Bring My Fiance(e) to the United States?
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Fiance(e)s
How Do I Change My Fiance(e)'s Status to Lawful Permanent Resident?
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) |
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8 CFR 214.2(k) |
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| K-2 |
Minor child of K-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(K) |
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8 CFR 214.2(k) |
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| K-3 |
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen (LIFE Act) |
How Do I Become a K-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Citizen?
Dept. of State: The New K and V
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(k) |
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| K-4 |
Child of K-3 (LIFE Act) |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(K)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(k) |
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Intracompany Transferee |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| L-1A |
Executive, managerial |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) |
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8 CFR 214.2(l) |
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| L-1B |
Specialized knowledge |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) |
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8 CFR 214.2(l) |
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| L-2 |
Spouse or child of L-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(L) |
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8 CFR 214.2(l) |
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Vocational and Language Students |
Immigration.gov Information on Student Visas
How Do I Become a Vocational Student in the United States?
Dept. of State: Implementation of ISEAS
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Foreign Student Visas
Dept. of State: Applying for a foreign Student Visa
Dept. of State: What Consuls Look For - Student Visas
Dept. of State: New Legal Requirements for F-1 Foreign Students in U.S. Public Schools
How Do I Apply to Qualify My School for Foreign Student Attendance |
| M-1 |
Vocational student or other nonacademic student |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(m) |
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| M-2 |
Spouse or child of M-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(M)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(m) |
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| N-8 |
Parent of alien classified SK-3 "Special Immigrant" |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(N)(i) |
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| N-9 |
Child of N-8, SK-1, SK-2, or SK-4 "Special Immmigrant" |
| INA Section 101(a) (15)(N)(ii) through (iv) |
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| NAFTA |
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) (see TN, below) |
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization |
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| NATO-1 |
Principal Permanent Representative of Member State to NATO and resident members of official staff or immediate family |
Not included in the INA
Article 12, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 20, 5 US Treaties 1098 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-2 |
Other representatives of member State; Dependents of Member of a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; Members of such a Force if issued visas |
Article 13, 5 US Treaties 1094
Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 4 US Treaties 1796 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-3 |
Official clerical staff accompanying Representative of Member State to NATO or immediate family |
| Article 14, 5 US Treaties 1096 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-4 |
Official of NATO other than those qualified as NATO-1 and immediate family |
| Article 18, 5 US Treaties 1096 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-5 |
Expert other than NATO officials qualified under NATO-4, employed on behalf of NATO and immediate family |
| Article 21, 5 US Treaties 1100 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-6 |
Member of civilian component who is either accompanying a Force entering in accordance with the provisions of the NATO Status-of-Forces agreement; attached to an Allied headquarters under the protocol on the Status of International Military headquarters set up pursuant to the North Atlantic Treaty; and their dependents |
Article 1, 4 US Treaties 1794
Article 3, 5 US Treaties 877 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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| NATO-7 |
Servant or personal employee of NATO-1, NATO-2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, NATO-6, or immediate family |
| Articles 12-20, 5 US Treaties 1094 - 1098 |
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8 CFR 214.2(s) |
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Workers with Extraordinary Abilities |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
How Do I Apply for Health Care Worker Certification? |
| O-1 |
Extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletics |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(i)) |
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8 CFR 214.2(o)(1), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(2), 8 CFR 214.2(o)(3) |
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| O-2 |
Alien's (support) accompanying O-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(o)(4) |
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| O-3 |
Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(O)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(o)(5) |
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Athletes and Entertainers |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| P-1 |
Individual or team athletes |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(p)(4) |
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| P-1 |
Entertainment groups |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(p)(4) |
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| P-2 |
Artists and entertainers in reciprocal Exchange programs |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(p)(5) |
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| P-3 |
Artists and entertainers in culturally unique programs |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iii) |
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8 CFR 214.2(p)(6) |
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| P-4 |
Spouse or child of P-1, 2, or 3 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(P)(iv) |
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8 CFR 214.2(p)(8)(iii)(D) |
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International Cultural Exchange Visitors |
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| Q-1 |
International cultural exchange visitors |
Immigration.gov Information on Exchange Visitors
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Exchange Visitors
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.2(q) |
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| Q-2 |
Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program (Walsh Visas) |
Walsh Visa Program
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(l) |
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8 CFR 214.2(q)(15) |
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| Q-3 |
Spouse or child of Q-2 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(Q)(ii)(ll) |
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8 CFR 214.2(q)(15) |
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Religious Workers |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Workers
Dept. of State: Tips for U.S. Visas: Temporary Religious Workers
Instructions for Form I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker |
| R-1 |
Religious workers |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) |
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8 CFR 214.2(r) |
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| R-2 |
Spouse or child of R-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(R) |
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8 CFR 214.2(r) |
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Witness or Informant |
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| S-5 |
Informant of criminal organization information |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(i) |
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| S-6 |
Informant of terrorism information |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(S)(ii) |
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| T |
Victims of a Severe Form of Trafficking in Persons |
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000
Fact Sheet on T Application Process
Dept. of State: Trafficking in Persons Report
Dept. of State: Foreign Affairs Manual, Section 41.84 |
| T-1 |
Victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(i) |
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8 CFR 214.11 |
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| T-2 |
Spouse of a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.11(o) |
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| T-3 |
Child of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.11(o) |
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| T-4 |
Parent of victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons (if T-1 victim is under 21 years of age) |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(T)(ii) |
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8 CFR 214.11(o) |
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North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) |
Dept. of State: Professionals Under NAFTA
Changes to NAFTA and new 2004 Trade Agreements |
| TN |
Trade visas for Canadians and Mexicans |
| INA Section 214(e)(2) |
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8 CFR 214.6
Canadians: 8 CFR 214.6(d)
Mexicans: 8 CFR 214.6(e) |
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| TD |
Spouse or child accompanying TN- |
| INA Section 214(e)(2) |
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8 CFR 214.6(j) |
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Transit Without Visa |
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| TWOV |
Passenger |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) |
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8 CFR 212.1(f) |
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| TWOV |
Crew |
| INA Sections 212(d)(3) and 212(d)(5) |
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8 CFR 212.1(f) |
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| U |
Victims of Certain Crimes |
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| U-1 |
Victim of Certain Criminal Activity< td> |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) |
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| U-2 |
Spouse of U-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) |
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| U-3 |
Child of U-1 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) |
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| U-4 |
Parent of U-1, if U-1 is under 21 years of age |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(U) |
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Certain Second Preference Beneficiaries |
How Do I Become a V-Nonimmigrant as the Spouse or Child of a U.S. Permanent Resident?
Dept. of State: The New K and V Visas |
| V-1 |
Spouse of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based petition (Form I-130) which was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) |
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8 CFR 214.15 |
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| V-2 |
Child of an LPR who is the principal beneficiary of a family-based visa petition (Form I-130) that was filed prior to December 21, 2000, and has been pending for at least three years. |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) |
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8 CFR 214.15 |
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| V-3 |
The derivative child of a V-1 or V-2 |
| INA Section 101(a)(15)(V) |
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8 CFR 214.15 |
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Humanitarian Parole |
Immigration.gov Information on Humanitarian Parole |
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Temporary Protected Status (TPS) |
Immigration.gov Information on Temporary Protected Status
How Do I Apply for Temporary Protected Status? |
| TPS |
Temporary Protected Status |
| INA Section 244 |
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8 CFR 244 |
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