Asylum
Protection for those fleeing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. Must apply within 1 year of US arrival (with limited exceptions). Affirmative asylum: apply directly to USCIS asylum office. Defensive asylum: apply in removal proceedings before immigration judge. Work authorization (EAD) available 180 days after filing (30 days after recent rule changes). If granted, can apply for green card after 1 year. Family members can be included as derivatives.
Key Requirements:
- •Fear of persecution based on protected ground
- •File within 1 year of arrival (exceptions apply)
- •Not barred (criminal, security grounds)
- +1 more requirements
B1/B2 Visitor
Non-immigrant visa for temporary business (B1) or tourism/medical treatment (B2). Typically issued as combined B1/B2. Valid up to 10 years with 6-month stays per entry typical. ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) available for citizens of 41 Visa Waiver Program countries, allowing 90-day stays without visa. No work permitted under any circumstances. Must demonstrate ties to home country and intent to return. Extensions possible but increasingly scrutinized. Note: New visa bond requirement ($5,000-$15,000) for citizens of 32 countries as of January 2026.
Key Requirements:
- •Valid passport
- •Proof of ties to home country
- •Travel itinerary
- +3 more requirements
Citizenship
US naturalization requires 5 years as lawful permanent resident (3 years if married to US citizen), physical presence requirements (30 months in 5 years or 18 months in 3 years), continuous residence, good moral character, English language proficiency, and passing US civics test (100 questions, must answer 6/10 correctly). Form N-400 application. Interview required at USCIS office. Oath ceremony completes the process. Most countries allow dual citizenship, though some require renunciation.
Key Requirements:
- •5 years as LPR (3 if married to US citizen)
- •Physical presence: 30 months in past 5 years
- •Continuous residence in US
- +3 more requirements
EB Green Card
Employment-based permanent residence with approximately 140,000 visas annually. EB1: priority workers (extraordinary ability, outstanding professors, multinational executives) - no labor certification needed. EB2: advanced degree professionals or exceptional ability (includes NIW self-petition option). EB3: skilled workers, professionals, other workers. Most categories require PERM labor certification (18-24 months total). Per-country limit of 7% creates severe backlogs: EB2 India priority dates at January 2013 (13+ year wait), EB2 China at December 2020. Concurrent I-485 filing possible when visa numbers current.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer from US employer (except EB1A, EB2-NIW)
- •PERM labor certification (most categories)
- •I-140 immigrant petition approval
- +1 more requirements
E Visa
Treaty-based visas requiring treaty country nationality. E1 Treaty Trader: for substantial trade (>50% of total trade) between US and treaty country. E2 Treaty Investor: for substantial investment in US enterprise with active management role. E3: Australia-only visa similar to H1B with separate 10,500 annual cap (undersubscribed). E1/E2 require ongoing treaty country ownership, valid up to 5 years, renewable indefinitely while business operates. Investment amount not fixed but "substantial" relative to business type (typically $100K+ for service businesses).
Key Requirements:
- •Treaty country citizenship
- •E1: Substantial trade between US and treaty country
- •E2: Substantial investment at risk in US enterprise
- +1 more requirements
F1 Student
Student visa for academic studies at SEVP-certified schools (universities, colleges, high schools, language programs). Allows 12 months Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation, with 24-month STEM extension available for qualifying degrees. Curricular Practical Training (CPT) permitted during studies if part of curriculum. Must maintain full-time enrollment and valid SEVIS status. Can work on-campus up to 20 hours/week during studies. Non-immigrant intent required but can pursue H1B or other status changes.
Key Requirements:
- •Acceptance at SEVP-certified institution
- •Valid I-20 from school
- •SEVIS fee payment ($350)
- +2 more requirements
Family Green Card
Family-sponsored permanent residence for relatives of US citizens and permanent residents. Immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried children under 21, parents of adult citizens) have no annual cap and are immediately eligible. Preference categories face backlogs: F1 (unmarried adult children of citizens), F2A/F2B (spouse/children of LPRs), F3 (married children of citizens), F4 (siblings of adult citizens). K1 fiancé visa requires marriage within 90 days of entry. Processing times range from 1 year to 20+ years depending on category and country.
Key Requirements:
- •US citizen or LPR sponsor (depending on category)
- •Valid family relationship
- •Financial sponsorship (I-864 Affidavit of Support)
- +1 more requirements
H1B
Specialty occupation visa for workers in professional roles requiring at minimum a bachelor's degree or equivalent. Subject to annual cap of 85,000 (65,000 regular + 20,000 US master's). MAJOR 2026 CHANGES: New wage-weighted lottery system (effective Feb 27, 2026) favors higher-paid positions - Level 4 wages get 4x selection odds vs Level 1. $100,000 supplemental fee required for new petitions (effective Sept 21, 2025) - exempts extensions, amendments, and change of status from within US. Requires employer sponsorship, LCA, and specialty occupation proof. Valid 3 years initially, extendable to 6 years. Premium processing: $2,965 (as of March 1, 2026). Dual intent visa.
Key Requirements:
- •Job offer in specialty occupation
- •Bachelor's degree or equivalent in related field
- •Employer files LCA with DOL
- +3 more requirements
J1 Exchange
Exchange visitor visa program for educational and cultural exchange. Categories include intern, trainee, research scholar, professor, au pair, camp counselor, teacher, and more. Requires designated sponsor organization. Some categories subject to 212(e) two-year home country physical presence requirement before changing to certain visa types or getting green card - waiver available in limited circumstances. Duration varies by category (up to 5 years for researchers). DS-2019 form from sponsor required.
Key Requirements:
- •Acceptance by designated J1 sponsor organization
- •Valid DS-2019
- •SEVIS fee payment
- +2 more requirements
L1
Intracompany transfer visa for executives/managers (L1A) and specialized knowledge workers (L1B). Requires at least 1 year of continuous employment abroad with a qualifying related company within the past 3 years. L1A valid up to 7 years, L1B up to 5 years. No annual cap or lottery required. Individual L1 petitions or Blanket L1 for large companies with frequent transfers. Dual intent visa. L1A provides direct path to EB1C green card without labor certification. Processing time approximately 5 months standard.
Key Requirements:
- •1 year employment with related company abroad in past 3 years
- •Managerial/executive role (L1A) or specialized knowledge (L1B)
- •Valid qualifying relationship between US and foreign entity
- +1 more requirements
O1
Visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement. O1A covers sciences, business, education, athletics; O1B covers arts and entertainment. Must demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim through major awards OR meeting 3+ of 8 criteria (publications, judging, high salary, critical role, etc.). No annual cap or lottery. High approval rate (~94%). Requires advisory opinion for O1B. Initial stay up to 3 years with unlimited extensions. Dual intent visa.
Key Requirements:
- •Extraordinary ability in field
- •Major award OR meet 3+ of 8 criteria
- •US employment in area of extraordinary ability
- +1 more requirements
TN Visa
USMCA (formerly NAFTA) professional visa for Canadian and Mexican citizens in 63 designated professional occupations (engineers, accountants, scientists, teachers, etc.). Canadians can apply at port of entry without prior petition; Mexicans require consular processing. No annual cap, 3-year validity, unlimited renewals. Requires job offer letter, proof of qualifying profession and credentials. Does not allow dual intent - pursuing green card may jeopardize TN status.
Key Requirements:
- •Canadian or Mexican citizenship
- •Job offer in TN-eligible profession
- •Relevant degree or credentials for profession
- +1 more requirements