Non Immigrant

A non-immigrant is any foreign individual who is legally traveling to the United States for a specific period of time for a specific purpose. The type of immigrant visa given to a non-immigrant for their travel will depend on the purpose of their travel. For instance, non-immigrants can be representatives of foreign governments, visitors, crewmembers working on Outer Continental Shelf (B-1/OCS) and yachts, persons traveling due to medical emergencies, business travel, crewmembers, persons transiting through the U.S., transitional workers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Australian citizens in specialty operations. There are numerous other visas given to non-immigrants for a variety of other reasons. The type of nonimmigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law and related to the purpose of the travel.

Non-immigrants can apply directly to the U.S. consulate or embassy abroad for a tourist (B-2) or business nonimmigrant (B-1) visa. The U.S. Department of State Website provides an alphabetical listing of all of the nonimmigrant visa classifications and specific requirements. Some travelers from specific countries may enter the United States without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program.