I need a U.S. Visa!

As an Immigration attorney, the most common thing I get asked about is U.S. visas. Believe it or not some persons don't know what an actual visa is or why they need one. So, let's start with the basics.

A visa is a travel document issued by the United States of America (U.S.) granting permission to an individual to enter their country. There are two general categories of visas: Immigrant and Non-immigrant visas. Immigrant visa are intended for persons who wish to reside permanently in the U.S. while non-immigrant visas are intended for persons who wish to visit or work in the U.S. temporarily.  In this article, we will focus on the more popular non-immigrant visas.

Visa Trends for Jamaicans

Every year, thousands of Jamaicans apply for non-immigrant visas to enter the United States. Based on the numbers released by the U.S. Department of Travel about 40% of those visas are rejected each year.

In my experience, I’ve found that Jamaicans tend to apply for the same category of non-immigrant visas. Usually, most applications fall within the B1/B2 visa category.  This category tends to be "overbooked." Therefore, I usually will guide applicants to a different category based on their purpose of travel.

Overview of Non-Immigrant Visa Categories

Based on the many cases that have come across my desk, it seems clear that many applicants do not know there are numerous other non-immigrant visa categories available ranging from categories A through to V. These visas cover all purposes of travel. They include medical visas, tourist visas, study visas, work visas and spouse visas. Below is a list of non-immigrant visa categories based on the U.S. Department of State's classification. This comprehensive list highlights the diverse purposes for which individuals can apply for a visa.

Purpose of Travel	Visa Category
Athlete, amateur or professional (competing for prize money only)	B-1
Au pair (exchange visitor)	J
Australian professional specialty	E-3
Border Crossing Card: Mexico	BCC
Business visitor	B-1
CNMI-only transitional worker	CW-1
Crewmember	D
Diplomat or foreign government official	A
Domestic employee or nanny - must be accompanying a foreign national employer	B-1
Employee of a designated international organization or NATO	G1-G5, NATO
Exchange visitor	J
Foreign military personnel stationed in the United States	A-2NATO1-6
Foreign national with extraordinary ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business or Athletics	O
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Professional:Chile, Singapore	H-1B1 - ChileH-1B1 - Singapore
International cultural exchange visitor	Q
Intra-company transferee	L
Medical treatment, visitor for	B-2
Media, journalist	I
NAFTA professional worker: Mexico, Canada	TN/TD
Performing athlete, artist, entertainer	P
Physician	J , H-1B
Professor, scholar, teacher (exchange visitor)	J
Religious worker	R
Specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge	H-1B
Student: academic, vocational	F, M
Temporary agricultural worker	H-2A
Temporary worker performing other services or labor of a temporary or seasonal nature.	H-2B
Tourism, vacation, pleasure visitor	B-2
Training in a program not primarily for employment	H-3
Treaty trader/treaty investor	E
Transiting the United States	C
Victim of Criminal Activity	U
Victim of Human Trafficking	T
Nonimmigrant (V) Visa for Spouse and Children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)	V

Final Thoughts

Understanding the correct visa category for your purpose of travel is critical to increasing your chances of approval. Each category has specific eligibility requirements, and providing accurate information during the application process is essential. If you’re unsure which visa best suits your needs, consider consulting with an immigration professional who can guide you through the process.