# 🇺🇸 United States — visa routes

> Verified visa and immigration data for United States from VisaPassage.
> Canonical page: https://visapassage.com/destinations/united-states

22 routes with deep coverage. Every entry below is checked against official sources and carries its own verification date. Statuses describe typical eligibility — they are never a promise of approval; individual applications require review.

## Short visits by passport

- **United Kingdom**: eTA required · apply before travel
- **Germany**: eTA required · apply before travel
- **India**: Visa required · apply before travel
- **Canada**: Visa-free · stays up to 180 days
- **Australia**: eTA required · apply before travel

Other passports: check https://visapassage.com/visa-checker for your specific passports.

## Visit

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| B-2 Visitor Visa (Tourism / Medical) | Consular visa · typically eligible | 180 days | $185 | $160 | — |
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program Travel Authorization) | Travel authorisation · typically eligible | 90 days | $40.27 | $54 | 3 days |
| C-1 Transit Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 29 days | $185 | $160 | — |
| B-1 Business Visitor Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 180 days | $185 | $160 | — |

- **B-2 Visitor Visa (Tourism / Medical)** — Key documents: Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Photo · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **ESTA (Visa Waiver Program Travel Authorization)** — Key documents: Passport bio-data page · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: esta.cbp.dhs.gov
- **C-1 Transit Visa** — Key documents: Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Onward ticket / itinerary, Permission to enter destination country · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **B-1 Business Visitor Visa** — Key documents: Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Photo · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov

## Study & Training

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| F-1 Academic Student Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $185 | $220 | — |
| M-1 Vocational Student Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 365 days | $185 | $220 | — |
| J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $185 | $220 | — |

- **F-1 Academic Student Visa** — Key documents: Form I-20, Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, MRV fee receipt, Photo, Evidence of financial support · Rights: Work: up to 20 h/week · Study: Full-time academic study · Family: F-2 dependents cannot work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **M-1 Vocational Student Visa** — Key documents: Form I-20 (M-1), Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, MRV fee receipt, Evidence of financial support · Rights: Study: Full-time vocational study · Family: M-2 dependents cannot work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa** — Key documents: Form DS-2019, Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt, MRV fee receipt, Evidence of funding · Rights: Work: Work/training tied to program · Study: Study per exchange program category · Family: J-2 spouse may apply for work authorization · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: j1visa.state.gov

## Work & Self-Employment

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EB-2 National Interest Waiver Green Card | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $715 | $220 | — |
| H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $220 | — |
| H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $220 | — |
| H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $220 | — |
| L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $270 | — |

- **EB-2 National Interest Waiver Green Card** — Key documents: Form I-140 with NIW request, Advanced degree or exceptional ability evidence, Evidence of national importance, Evidence of being well positioned, Form DS-260, Civil documents and police certificates, Medical examination · Rights: Work: Unrestricted work as LPR · Study: May study freely as LPR · Residency: Immigrant visa to Green Card (permanent) · Family: Spouse and children get green cards · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa** — Key documents: Selected H-1B registration, Certified LCA (ETA-9035), Form I-129 approval (I-797), Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Degree and credentials · Rights: Work: Employer-tied (petitioning company) · Study: May study while maintaining status · Residency: Dual intent; route to green card (EB-2/EB-1) · Family: H-4 dependents; some H-4 spouses can work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa** — Key documents: DOL temporary labor certification, Form I-129 approval (I-797), Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt · Rights: Work: Seasonal, employer-tied · Study: Incidental study only · Family: H-4 may accompany but cannot work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa** — Key documents: DOL temporary labor certification, Form I-129 approval (I-797), Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt · Rights: Work: Seasonal, employer-tied · Study: Incidental study only · Family: H-4 may accompany but cannot work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa** — Key documents: Form I-129 approval or blanket I-129S, Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Proof of qualifying employment abroad, Evidence of corporate relationship, Job description · Rights: Work: Employer-tied (petitioning company) · Study: May study while maintaining status · Residency: Dual intent; route to green card (EB-2/EB-1) · Family: L-2 spouse can work; children included · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov

## Invest & Capital

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $11,160 | — | — |
| E-2 Treaty Investor Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 730 days | $315 | — | — |

- **EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program** — Key documents: Form I-526E (or I-526), Evidence of investment, Source of funds documentation, Job creation evidence, Regional center project documents, Form DS-260, Civil documents, police certificates, medical exam · Rights: Work: Unrestricted work as LPR · Study: May study freely as LPR · Residency: Immigrant visa to Green Card (permanent) · Family: Spouse and children get green cards · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **E-2 Treaty Investor Visa** — Key documents: Form DS-160 confirmation, Form DS-156E, Valid passport of a treaty country, MRV fee receipt, Evidence of substantial investment, Source of funds documentation, Business documents · Rights: Work: Work in own treaty business · Study: May study while maintaining status · Family: E-2 spouse can work; children included · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov

## Family & Origin

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Family-Based Immigrant Visas (IR & F1–F4 Preferences) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $675 | $270 | — |
| K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | 90 days | $675 | $270 | — |
| IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Immigrant Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $675 | $270 | — |

- **Family-Based Immigrant Visas (IR & F1–F4 Preferences)** — Key documents: Form I-130 approval, Form DS-260, Affidavit of Support (I-864), Civil documents, Police certificates, Medical examination, Valid passport · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa** — Key documents: Form I-129F approval (I-797), Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, K visa fee receipt, Evidence of relationship, Police certificates, Medical examination, Evidence of financial support (I-134) · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **IR-1 / CR-1 Spouse Immigrant Visa** — Key documents: Form I-130 approval, Form DS-260, Affidavit of Support (I-864), Valid passport, Marriage certificate, Birth certificate and police certificates, Medical examination, USCIS immigrant fee · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov

## Special Categories

| Route | Status | Max stay | Gov fee | Service fee | Processing |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $270 | — |
| EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $715 | $270 | — |
| R-1 Temporary Religious Worker Visa | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $205 | $220 | — |
| I Visa (Representatives of Foreign Media) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $185 | $160 | — |
| Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery) | Consular visa · typically eligible | — | $330 | — | — |

- **O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa** — Key documents: Form I-129 approval (I-797), Advisory opinion, Evidence of extraordinary ability, Itinerary and contracts, Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt · Rights: Work: Employer/petitioner-tied · Study: May study while maintaining status · Residency: Dual intent; route to green card (EB-1) · Family: O-3 dependents cannot work · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **EB-1A Extraordinary Ability Green Card** — Key documents: Form I-140, Evidence of extraordinary ability, Evidence of continuing work in the field, Form DS-260, Valid passport, Civil documents, Medical examination · Rights: Work: Unrestricted work as LPR · Study: May study freely as LPR · Residency: Immigrant visa to Green Card (permanent) · Family: Spouse and children get green cards · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **R-1 Temporary Religious Worker Visa** — Key documents: Form I-129 approval (I-797), IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, Proof of denomination membership, Evidence of qualification, Compensation evidence, Form DS-160 confirmation and passport, MRV fee receipt · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: uscis.gov
- **I Visa (Representatives of Foreign Media)** — Key documents: Form DS-160 confirmation, Valid passport, MRV fee receipt, Employer letter · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov
- **Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery)** — Key documents: Electronic entry (E-DV), Selectee confirmation, Form DS-260, Education or work evidence, Valid passport, Police certificates and civil documents, Medical examination · Last verified 10 Jun 2026 · Source: travel.state.gov

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Source: VisaPassage (https://visapassage.com/). Cite the canonical page above when referencing this data. Markdown index of all destinations: https://visapassage.com/destinations/llm.md.