A total of 482,052 immigrant visas were issued for entry to the U.S. in 2010, and nearly six and a half million nonimmigrant visas of different kinds. All non-American citizens wanting to visit the country must first obtain an entry visa. American immigration law dictates that all visa applicants must be viewed as potential immigrants until their temporary status is proved and the authorities see evidence that the visitor is definitely leaving again.
B-1 visitor visas give individuals temporary permission to enter the U.S. for business purposes. Aliens may conduct business in America, but B-1 visas impose restrictions on length of stay and earning potential. A professional athlete, for example, may visit the U.S. for a match or tournament, but may not be salaried there. Any payments due to individual business visitors are severely restricted, and each situation is judged on its own merit. The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs has full details for applicants (see Reference section).
If not traveling for business purposes, people can apply for a B-2 visa. This covers trips for pleasure such as tourism, visits to resident friends, vacations, rest and recuperation, as well as for receiving medical treatment. It is also possible to enter America as a tourist and take short educational courses under this visa, but there are certain restrictions: the courses must be for recreational purposes, not for credit toward a degree, and they must entail fewer 18 hours of study. For example, short cookery courses taken during a vacation "for your enjoyment" are permitted with a B-1 visa, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Immigrants to the U.S. must be sponsored by a qualifying American citizen or employer. There are different types of immigrant visas available relating to the category of immigration being applied for. The main categories are family-sponsored, employer-sponsored or as a "special immigrant" as listed by the Department of State (see Resource section). Special immigrants may be Afghan or Iraqi people who've worked for the U.S. government. Religious workers also fall within this category. All immigrant visa applications must be supported by a petition to be filed with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The U.S. allows foreigners from countries underrepresented in America to gain residency. These people are eligible for Diversity Visas and applicants are exempt from needing a sponsor. No petition is required in these circumstances. There are also a number of humanitarian programs that may allow residency based on refugee status or in special circumstances such as natural disasters abroad.
Most temporary visa denials are based on the lack of evidence that an applicant has "a residence abroad he/she has no intention of abandoning," according to the Department of State. Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have strong enough ties to compel them to return to their home country at the end of their visit time. This is not always a final decision, and people may reapply to show that their original circumstances have changed or improved. Bureau of Consular Affairs officers are aware that cultural factors significantly affect an individual's situation, and each application is judged differently and given every legal consideration.
