Nonimmigrant vs. Immigrant visas

For the purposes of U.S. immigration law, a “nonimmigrant” visa is issued to a foreign national seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose, such as tourism, conducting a business meeting, studying at a university, or working for a U.S. company. Examples of nonimmigrant visas are the B1/B2, J-1, F-1, H-1b , L-1 and E2 visas.

Non immigrants enter the U.S. for a temporary period of time and, once in the U.S., are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visa was issued. They may have more than one type of nonimmigrant visa but are admitted in only one status. Most nonimmigrant visas generally require that the applicant demonstrate the intent to return to their home country after the temporary period for which they were admitted.

An “immigrant” visa, commonly known a a Green card, is issued to a foreign national seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. as a permanent resident.

The distinction between an immigrant and nonimmigrant intent is fundamental to the understanding of immigration law.