Table of Visa Classifications
Visa Class

Purpose of Travel

A1

Head of State or Government, Ambassador, public minister, career diplomatic or consular officer assigned to the U.S., and members of immediate family.

A2

Foreign government officials on official business or employees of diplomatic or consular missions in the U.S., and members of immediate family.

A3

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of A1 and A2 classes, and members of immediate family.

B1

Temporary visitor for business.

B2

Temporary visitor for pleasure.

B1/B2

Temporary visitor for business or pleasure.

C1

Alien in transit through the U.S.

C2

Alien in transit to the United Nations Headquarters District under Section 11.(3), (4), or (5) of the Headquarters Agreement with the United Nations.

C3

Foreign government officials, members of immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal employee in transit.

C1/D

Crew member/crew-list

E1

Treaty trader, spouse and children

E2

Treaty investor, spouse and children

E3

Australian Professionals in a specialty occupation

F1

Student (academic or language training program)

F2

Dependent of F1

G1

Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, his/her staff, and members of immediate family on long-term assignment

G2

Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family on temporary assignment

G3

Representative of non-recognized foreign member government to international organization, and members of immediate family

G4

International organization officer or employee and members of immediate family

G5

Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G1, G2, G3, or G4 class and members of immediate family

H1B
(petition-based)

Temporary worker in a specialty occupation

H1C
(petition-based)

Registered nurses

H2A
(petition-based)

Temporary worker performing agricultural services unavailable in the United States

H2B
(petition-based)

Temporary worker performing non-agricultural services unavailable in the United States

H3
(petition-based)

Trainee (other than medical or academic)

H4
(petition-based)

Dependent of H1, H2 or H3

I

Representative of foreign information media and dependent

J1

Exchange visitor

J2

Dependent of J1

L1
(petition-based)

Intra-company transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized personnel continuing employment with an international firm or corporation)

L2
(petition-based)

Dependent of L1

M1

Vocational student

M2

Dependent of M1

O1
(petition-based)

Aliens with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business or athletics

O2
(petition-based)

Aliens accompanying and assisting the above in a professional capacity

O3
(petition-based)

Dependent of O1 or O2

P1
(petition-based)

Athletes and entertainers for a specific competition or performance

P2
(petition-based)

Athletes and entertainers participating in reciprocal exchange program

P3
(petition-based)

Artists and entertainers performing under a program that is culturally unique

P4
(petition-based)

Dependent of P1, P2 or P3

Q
(petition-based)

International cultural exchange visitor

R1
(petition-based)

Religious worker

R2
(petition-based)

Dependent of R1

TN

Canadian or Mexican citizen working in a professional capacity under the North American Trade Agreement

TD

Spouse or child of TN