Find out in this article the main differences between the types of American visa, and which is the most suitable for your profile.
To make your reading easier, we have prepared a list of visas on the following topics:
What is an American visa?
Whoever is going to travel for the first time to the United States, is faced with the well-known (and feared) American visas. But calmly, the visa is just a formality that the destination country requires for you to have permission to enter.
The official authorization is issued by the embassy of the country you want to visit, saying that the immigrant can enter their territory for a certain time for a certain purpose (tourism, business, etc.).
The type of American visa is a sticker affixed to your passport, which contains your photo, your data and a bar code, and will be scanned by a military police officer whenever you pass through immigration.
Types of American Visa
In the United States there are different types of visas and each serves a different purpose. We select the most common ones that can fit your needs.
See the list of American visas below:
1. B1 / B2 Visa: Business or Tourism Visa
B1 / B2 visas are the most requested to visit the USA.
- B1: It is issued by people with a business intention
- B2: For people with tourism intent.
- Validity: Both are valid for 10 years, but permanence in the country is determined by immigration.
- They allow the holder to enter and leave the USA as often as they wish during the validity period.
- They do not give any right to work for American companies, even if you are paid in the country of residence
B1 / B2 Visa Fee
USD $ 160 dollars, approximately R $ 800 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
2. E1 Merchant Visa
- You must comply with the Immigration and Nationality Law (INA), be from a country that has a trade and navigation treaty with the USA.
- Citizens must use this visa when traveling to the United States to conduct substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, mainly between the United States and the treated country.
- You can also go on to develop and direct the operations of a company in which you have invested or are in the process of investing a substantial amount of capital.
- There is no limit on the length of stay in the USA as long as you maintain the status. The American Consulate generally grants these visas for multiple periods of five years.
E1 Visa Fee
The value of the American E1 visa is U $ 205 dollars, approximately R $ 1,025 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can request your direct on the website of the American Embassy.
3. E2: Investor Visa
- Applicants for the E-2 Visa are those persons who:
- They invest a substantial amount to buy at least 50% of the shares or shares of an American company and have a way to prove it.
- Be in an executive or supervisory position in the company where you work or have skills that are essential for its operation in the United States.
- This visa allows only individuals from countries that have trade and navigation treaties with the United States, to be able to make financial investments in American companies and reach the USA to direct and develop their business.
- It is not possible to request the conversion of E2 into a green card, but there are also no limits on the number of renewals for this visa.
E2 Visa Fee
The value of the American E2 visa is U $ 205 dollars, approximately R $ 1,025 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours simply and easily by clicking here.
4. EB5 Visa: Investments for Immigrants.
Created in 1990 by the US government to stimulate foreign investment.
- People of any nationality can apply for this visa, the big requirement is to have the necessary capital
- Initial duration of 2 years, with the possibility of receiving a permanent residence status valid for 10 years
- Allows you to apply for a Green Card and apply for US citizenship
- The investor’s spouse can develop professional activities in the country and the children have facilities in education.
EB5 Visa Fee
The value of the American EB5 visa is U $ 205 dollars U $ 205 dollars, approximately R $ 1,025.00 reais (dollars to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can apply for your visa directly on the American Embassy website by clicking here.
5. F1: Student Visa
This American visa is indicated for non-immigrants who wish to study in the United States:
- The foreigner can study legally in the United States during the period he is enrolled and following the regulations of the visa and the academic institution itself.
- You have the possibility to bring your immediate family (spouse and children under 21) linked to a student visa dependent visa.
- Dependents can remain in the USA for the duration of the student’s visa.
- The student can only work with the student visa on the university campus and also respecting some limits on the workload.
- In certain courses, the student is entitled, after graduation, to a work visa usually for a period of one year.
F1 Visa Fee
The value of the American F1 visa is U $ 160 dollars, approximately R $ 800 reais (dollars to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
6. H1B: Work for trained professionals.
This visa is intended for qualified professionals with university degrees or work experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
- To obtain a visa, the applicant must have a representative employer to apply.
- Have training and / or experience in the area and an excellent knowledge of the language: English.
- The H-1B visa has an initial duration of three years. It can be renewed only once, for another three years.
- The contracting company can apply for a permanent residence visa for the H-1B visa holder.]
- The family of the H-1B holder, children under the age of 21 and the spouse, can live and study legally in the USA on the H-4 visa.
- H4 visa holders cannot work in the United States.
H1B Visa Fee
The value of the H1B visa is U $ 190 dollars, approximately R $ 950 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
Request direct from the embassy. Click here.
Important information: H-1B or H-4 visa holders earn the right to pay the same monthly fee (a lower amount) that Green Card holders and US citizens pay, after living in the country for one year.
7. J-1: Exchange visa
The American J-1 visa is intended for people who participate in exchange or training programs.
Visa holders can participate in various types of programs, including government, academic or private sector programs.
The length of stay depends on the program the holder is participating in.
J-1 Visa Fee
The value of the H1B visa is U $ 190 dollars, approximately R $ 950 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
8. K1: FIANCE Groom / Bride Visa
Of all American visas, this is for the person who is engaged to an American citizen, so that he can travel to the United States for the purpose of getting married and living in the country.
- The American citizen who must apply for a visa for the immigrant
- The couple needs to be free to get married. Both need to be single, divorced or widowed.
- The couple must have known each other personally for at least 2 years.
- Enables Green Card requests.
K-1 Visa Fee
The value of the H1B visa is U $ 240 dollars, approximately R $ 1,200 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
9. L-1: I work within a Multinational company.
The L-1 visa is a temporary work visa. It is granted for the transfer of partners, executives and specialized persons of a company that intends to open a branch or already has an affiliate in the USA.
- The person must have been employed at the company for at least 1 continuous year in the 3 years before traveling to the United States.
- The work developed by the same in the company must be of executive or managerial function. Because category L1 does not apply to low-level positions.
- Employers must send an individual petition to each employee they wish to transfer. Showing that you are responsible for the process and not the person who will benefit from the visa.
- Initial duration of 1 to 3 years. It can be extended up to 7 years according to the business performance.
- The spouse can receive the status of dependent. If your spouse wishes to pursue a professional activity, you must file an application for authorization with the American immigration department.
- Children will be free to attend school for as long as the executive remains in the country, enjoying the same benefits available to Americans and permanent residents.
L1 Visa Fee
Transfer in the same company: U $ 100 dollars, approximately R $ 500 reais (dollars to R $ 5.00).
Transfer in the same company to multiple foreigners: U $ 500 dollars, approximately R $ 2,500 reais (dollars to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
10. O-1: Work for people with extraordinary skills.
The category O visa provides for admission to the United States of persons with extraordinary skills in the fields of science, arts, education, business and athletics or extraordinary achievements in television and film production and their essential support staff.
- Only individuals qualify for the O-1 category visa.
- In the case of a group, each member would need to pass an extraordinary skill test
- The visa is granted for a specific event, such as: tour, series of lectures or projects.
- You must be sponsored by a company or agent in the United States.
- It allows residence in the United States for three years, with the possibility of renewal and obtaining a Green Card.
- Spouse and children under 21 also receive benefits and work permits in the country.
O-1 Visa Fee
The value of the O1 visa is U $ 40 dollars, approximately R $ 200 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
Important information: O-1 visa applicants who intend to pursue their careers in the United States must demonstrate, with strong evidence, recognition at national or international level within their respective areas of expertise.
11. P-1: Visa for Artists and Athletes
They are aimed at internationally recognized athletes, artists and entertainers and their support staff who are considered essential.
- The P-1 provides for the entry into the United States of certain athletes, artists, entertainers and essential technical staff.
- Individual members of the entertainment industry are not eligible for the P-1 visa, but athletes are.
- P-2 provides for the admission of an artist or entertainer to the United States if the individual or group is involved in an exchange program between an organization or organizations in the United States and one or more foreign countries that share an exchange of artists or entertainers.
- P-3 provides for admission to the United States of an artist or entertainer, whether an individual or group, to represent, teach, or train through a culturally unique program.
P-1 Visa Fee
The value of the P visa is U $ 40 dollars, approximately R $ 200 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
12. R-1: Religious Visa
The R-1 visa is intended for pastors or religious workers who have been members for at least 2 years in a religious denomination that has a legitimate non-profit organization in the United States.
The visa allows:
- Exercise the vocation of pastor or religious minister or
- Exercise the religious professional function or work in an organization within a denomination; or
- Work in a religious capacity in an organization within a recognized denomination or for a legitimate organization affiliated with a religious denomination.
- Spouses, partners and / or children under the age of 21 who intend to accompany the holder of the R Visa must apply for the derived R-2 visa.
R-1 Visa Fee
The value of the R1 visa is U $ 70 dollars, approximately R $ 350 reais (dollar to R $ 5.00).
Where to request
You can order yours here.
Complete table with types and values updated in 2020.
| Purpose of Travel | Visa Category | Additional Fee (USD) |
| Artists and athletes performing in the USA | P | $40.00 |
| Amateur or professional athletes competing for prize money | B-1 | No fee |
| Au-Pairs (exchange students) | J-1 | SEVIS fee |
| Investors and Traders | E-1/E-2 | No fee |
| Diplomats & foreign government officials | A-1/A-2 | No fee |
| Domestic employee of an A-1 / A-2 visa holder | A-3 | No fee |
| Domestic employee of a G-1 / G-4 visa holder | G-5 | No fee |
| Australian professional specialty | E-3 | |
| Internship | H-3 | $100.00 |
| Exchange / Internship | J-1 | SEVIS fee |
| Academic and vocational students | F / M | SEVIS fee |
| Vacation, tourism or medical treatment | B-2 | No fee |
| International body officials | G-1/G-4 | No fee |
| International cultural exchange | Q | $40.00 |
| Journalists and media members | I | $20.00 |
| Professionals who are part of the Free Trade Agreement (ETA): Chile | H-1B1 | No fee |
| Professionals who are part of the Free Trade Agreement (ETA): Singapore | H-1B1 | No fee |
| Professionals who will work in fields that require high specialization | H-1B | $100.00 |
| People with extraordinary skills in science, the arts, education, business or athletics | O | $40.00 |
| Transition workers (CIMN only) | CW-1 | No fee |
| Religious workers | R | $70.00 |
| Temporary workers (transfer in the same company) | L | $100.00 |
| Temporary workers (transfer in the same company – multiple foreigners) | L (Blanket) | $500.00 |
| Transit through the United States | C-1 | No fee |
| Crew members of aircraft or marine vessels | C-1/D | No fee |
| Business visitors, domestic employees | B-1 | No fee |
| Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens and immigrants based on kinship | Visa Category |
| US citizen spouse | IR1, CR1 |
| US citizen spouse awaiting approval of I-130 immigration visa petition | K-3 * |
| Groom to marry US citizen and live in the United States | K-1 * |
| Adoption between countries or orphaned US citizen | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Certain family members of US citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
| Certain family members of permanent legal residents | F2A, F2B |
| Employment-based immigrants | |
| Employment-based immigrants, including. Priority workers, Professionals with advanced academic degrees and people with exceptional skills, Liberal professionals, skilled and unskilled workers [third] Certain special immigrants [fourth] Job creators / investors [fifth] | E1, E2, E3, EW3, C5, T5, R5, I5S (more**) |
| Religious workers | SD, SR |
| Iraqi and Afghan translators / interpreters | SI |
| Iraqis who worked for / on behalf of the US Government | SQ |
| Afghans who worked for / on behalf of the US Government | SQ |
| Other immigrants | |
| Diversity immigrants (Visa Lottery) | DV |
| Returning resident | SB |