Visa Categories

There are two basic categories of visas:

An immigrant visa is the visa issued to persons wishing to live permanently in the United States. These are popularly known as "Green Cards".

A nonimmigrant visa is the visa issued to persons with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis. All temporary visas such as the B1/B2 visas are nonimmigrant visas. The H1B, L-1 and E1/E2 visas are non-immigrant visas despite their extended durations.

A visa is a stamp in a person's passport that gives him or her approval to enter the United States. The INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) handles most matters involving visas

NOTE: The question of immigrant intent is fundamental to the understanding of US immigration law. Basically, non-immigrant visas are for people who intend to return to a residence outside of the US. If the holder of a nonimmigrant visa can not establish a non US residence they may be denied entry to the US due to their 'immigrant intent'. Immigrant visas or Green cards are for people who have abandoned their non US residence.

'Dual intent' is however permitted for holder of H1-B and L1 visas. In this instance a H1-B or L1 may be held simultaneously with the filing of an immigrant petition.