US Visas Explained: Types, Costs and How to Apply
A US visa is a stamp placed in your passport by a US embassy or consulate. It does not guarantee entry: it allows you to travel to a US port of entry and ask to be admitted. Visas fall into two families, immigrant and nonimmigrant, and each nonimmigrant category serves one specific purpose. This page explains that logic, compares the main categories, and walks through the application, the costs and the most common reasons for refusal, including the rule changes of 2025 and 2026.
This page provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Visa fees and policies change often; check the State Department and your local US embassy, and consult an immigration attorney about your situation.
Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigrant visas lead to permanent residence, in other words a green card. They are for people sponsored by a relative or employer, or selected through a program such as the Diversity Visa.
Nonimmigrant visas cover temporary stays. Under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the consular officer must presume that most nonimmigrant applicants intend to immigrate until they prove otherwise. In practice, you must show ties to your home country, such as a job, family or property, and a clear plan to return. H-1B and L-1 workers are exceptions, because the law allows "dual intent" in those categories.
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries may not need a visa at all for a short trip: see our ESTA guide.
The Main Nonimmigrant Categories
| Visa | Purpose | Key points |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 | Business / tourism | Meetings, conferences, holidays, family visits, medical care. No US employment. |
| F-1 | Academic study | Full-time study at an approved school. Requires Form I-20 and the SEVIS fee. |
| J-1 | Exchange | Au pairs, trainees, researchers, teachers. Some must return home for 2 years afterward. |
| H-1B | Specialty occupation | Job requiring a degree, employer petition, annual cap. |
| L-1 | Intracompany transfer | Managers (L-1A) or specialized staff (L-1B). At least 1 year with the group abroad. No cap. |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability | National or international recognition in science, arts, business, sports or film. |
| E-1 / E-2 | Treaty trader / investor | Only for nationals of countries with a qualifying treaty. |
| TN | USMCA professionals | Canadian and Mexican citizens in listed professions. |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of a citizen | Marry within 90 days of arrival, then apply for a green card. |
Study and Exchange
F-1 applicants first need admission to a school and a Form I-20, and J-1 applicants need a Form DS-2019 from a sponsor. Our guide to studying in the US covers these routes. A DHS rule published in July 2026 would have replaced open-ended "duration of status" admission with a fixed period of up to 4 years, but a federal court in Massachusetts blocked it the day before it was due to start, in September 2026. Ask your school's international office for the latest position.
Work
The H-1B is the best-known work visa, and it has changed sharply:
- Cap: 65,000 new visas a year, plus 20,000 for holders of US master's degrees or higher. Universities and some nonprofit research bodies are exempt.
- Selection: no longer a flat lottery. Under a rule in force since February 2026, registrations are weighted by wage level, so a Level IV salary gets four entries and a Level I salary gets one.
- $100,000 payment: a September 2025 proclamation requires this payment on certain new petitions, mainly for workers outside the US. Changes of status within the US and extensions are generally excluded. A district court upheld it in early 2026, but litigation may continue.
Other work options include the L-1, O-1, E-2 and TN, as well as the H-1B1 for Chile and Singapore and the E-3 for Australians. Our guide to working in the US compares them.
How to Apply
- Check the basis for your visa. Work categories generally need an approved USCIS petition first, while students need their I-20 or DS-2019.
- Fill in Form DS-160 online and keep the confirmation page with its barcode.
- Pay the fees and book your appointment. Wait times vary greatly by country and season.
- Attend the interview. Biometrics are collected and the interview is usually short. Bring your passport, confirmation page, payment proof and evidence of your purpose and ties.
- Receive a decision: issued, refused, or held for "administrative processing", which can last weeks or months.
Three rules changed in 2025. Since September 2, 2025, most applicants need an in-person interview, including children under 14 and adults over 79, and waivers are limited to narrow renewal cases. Since the same month, nonimmigrant applicants have generally been told to apply in their country of nationality or residence. Applicants also face broader online-presence checks, and those in some categories have been asked to make their social media accounts public.
What It Costs
| Fee | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Application (MRV) fee | $185 | B, F, J and other non-petition visas |
| Application (MRV) fee | $205 | Petition-based visas: H, L, O, P, Q, R |
| Application (MRV) fee | $265 | K visas |
| Application (MRV) fee | $315 | E visas |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | $350 / $220 | F and M students / J exchange visitors |
A visa integrity fee of $250, set by a July 2025 law, is meant to be added to most nonimmigrant visas, and may be refundable to those who comply with their visa terms. Reports conflict on whether consulates are collecting it; as of late October 2026 the most recent check we found showed no such line on the State Department's fee schedule. Nationals of some countries may also be asked for a bond of $5,000 to $15,000 for a B visa under a pilot program, so check its status and country list with your embassy.
Entry restrictions also matter. Since January 1, 2026, a proclamation has fully or partly suspended entry for nationals of 39 countries, with limited exceptions, so check your nationality before you pay.
Visa Validity and the I-94
People often confuse these two dates. The visa expiry date is the last day you can use the visa to travel to the US. Your permitted stay is set by the CBP officer at entry and recorded on the electronic Form I-94, which you can view online. The I-94 date is the one that counts, and a visa can expire while your stay remains valid.
Overstaying is serious. Your visa is automatically voided, and unlawful presence of more than 180 days triggers a 3-year bar on returning, while a year or more triggers a 10-year bar.
Why Visas Are Refused
- 214(b): the officer was not convinced of your purpose or your intent to return. It is not a permanent ban, and you can reapply when your situation or evidence has genuinely changed.
- 221(g): something is missing or further checks are needed. This is often temporary.
- Inadmissibility: crime, fraud, past overstays and similar grounds. A waiver may be possible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit the US?
Most nationalities do. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can visit for up to 90 days with an ESTA, and most Canadian citizens need neither.
How much does a US tourist visa cost?
The B-1/B-2 application fee is $185. A separate $250 visa integrity fee is set by law, though its collection was unclear as of late October 2026. Confirm with your embassy.
Does my visa expiry date tell me when to leave?
No. Your I-94 shows when you must leave. A visa only controls when you can travel to the US and request entry.
Is the H-1B still a lottery?
Selection is still by chance, but since the fiscal year 2027 season higher wage levels get more entries. Some new petitions also carry a $100,000 payment.
What does a 214(b) refusal mean?
You did not show that you qualify for the visa, most often because your ties to home looked too weak. You may reapply, ideally with new evidence.
Can I change visa type once in the US?
Often, by filing with USCIS while in valid status, but not if you entered on an ESTA. Applying soon after arrival can suggest that you misstated your intent.
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