Guide to Most Used Visas

Diplomat or members of diplomat's family

Diplomatic note from your home country verifying diplomat status

Travel reimbursement (Travel, hotel, food)

Must have receipts.

Letter from U.S. State Department

I-94

Visitor for temporary business

Renewable to 12 months total

Travel reimbursement (Travel, hotel, food)

Must have receipts.

Fellowship or scholarship grant, if the visitor does not perform services for UTSA

Honoraria only allowed if the visitor is on campus for fewer than 9 days.

I-94 or 

I-797

Visitor for pleasure/tourist

Renewable to 12 months total

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

Not eligible if a visit is more than 9 days, or if paid or reimbursed by more than 5 U.S. institutions in a six-month period.

I-797

As long as academic progress continues

Duration of Status noted on I-94

Admission to full academic course of study

Evidence of adequate financial support for the length of the program

Indication of adequate English language skills or opportunity to improve

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food

Work or lecture must be directly related to their field listed on I-20.

The student/scholar's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

I-94 or

I-797

The student/scholar's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

Legal spouse or child under age 21 of an F-1 student

F-1 must prove financial support for each dependent

I-94 or

I-797

G-1
G-2
G-3
G-4

H-1A

Seasonal temporary worker

Often agricultural workers use this visa.

Renewable for a total of no more than six years

Professional degree and skill

Evidence that the position to be filled requires professional skills and is temporary

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

H-1B only:   An individual in this status can work only for the petitioning employer.  They may receive reimbursement for travel or hotel from other sources.

H-1B employees may not accept honorariums or compensation payments from outside sources.

I-94 or

I-797

H-4

As long as H-1B. H-1A or H-2 maintains status

Legal spouse or child under 21 of H-1B visa holder.

H-1B and H-4 applicants must prove that they are not subject to the 212(e) two-year home residence requirement or that they have received a waiver.

I-94 or

I-797A

As long as academic progress continues

Duration of Status noted on I-94

Invitation to an academic program with sponsorship.

Evidence of adequate financial support for the length of the program

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

An individual in this status can work only for the petitioning employer.  They may receive reimbursement from other sources if it is approved in advance.

The student's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

I-94 or

I-797A

The student/scholar's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

Five years total

Invitation to teach, lecture or conduct research

Indication of adequate financial support for length of program

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

An individual in this status can work only for the petitioning employer.  They may receive reimbursement from other sources if they receive advance approval.

The scholar's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

I-94  or

I-797A

The student/scholar's sponsoring institution must approve the work or lecture and submit confirmation of visa status and approval by letter to UTSA.

Legal spouse or child under 21 of a J-1 student or scholar

J-1 must prove financial support for each dependent.

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

Fellowship/scholarship Honoraria or compensation

I-797A

Maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance

Must marry U.S. citizen fiancé(e) within 90 days of your entry into the United States.

Must change status after wedding or civil ceremony.

Fiancé(e) of an American citizen

Must prove financial support

I-797A

Maximum of 6 months from the date of issuance.

Must change status after wedding or civil ceremony.

 Child of fiancé(e)

I-797A

New U.S. office establishment = one year

All others = three years

Intra-company transfer

Must have an ongoing relationship and managerial experience with sponsoring corporation.

I-797A

O
O-2

Up to 3 years

Can be renewed in increments of up to one year until a maximum of three years is reached.

Applicant with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics or possesses extraordinary ability in the motion picture or television industry and has been recognized for those achievements.

O-2 applies to O status person's staff.

I-94 or

I-797

Athlete: Five years, initially, 10 years total stay.
 

Athletic or performance group: One year

Support staff: One year initially, 10 years total stay.

Internationally recognized athletes, performers, or their support staff

I-797

Any type of payment

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

Permanent resident card or I-551

I-551 stamped on his/her passport

Initial, up to 3 years

Thereafter, no maximum duration limit

I-94 or

I-797

Fewer than 90 days.

Visa waiver for temporary visitor for business or tourism stays of fewer than 90 days.

Eligible countries change.   Visit USCIS.gov for more information.

Travel reimbursement (travel, hotel, food)

Not eligible if the visit is more than 9 days, or if paid or reimbursed by more than 5 U.S. institutions in a six-month period.