Nonimmigrant Nonworking Visas

B-1: Visitor for Business
A business tourist is an individual who intends to conduct business in the U.S. which benefits a foreign employer. The business tourist may generally not engage in local employment, nor displace a resident American worker, nor receive any direct remuneration for services from a U.S. source. The B-1 visitor may be initially admitted to the U.S. for a maximum of one year until

B-2: Visitor for Pleasure
A visitor for pleasure is an individual admitted for a personal visit to fiends or relatives, on holiday or for tourism. The initial period of admission is typically six months, allowing for a maximum stay of one year. Extensions are permitted in appropriate circumstances. Visitors may not engage in U.S. employment.

F-1: Student (see also M-1 status for nonacademic students)
A student is an individual seeking to enter the U.S. temporarily and solely for the purpose of pursuing a course of study at an established institution of learning which has been approved by the INS for attendance by foreign students. F-1 visas are not allowed for individuals seeking to attend public elementary schools or publicly-funded adult education programs, and the visas may be issued for attendance at public secondary schools only when the individual reimburses the educational agency administering the school for the expense of providing such education and the period of stay does not exceed 12 months.

In order to work temporarily, students must obtain separate permission known as practical training. Authorization for part-time employment is issued in very limited circumstances (although not in the first year of the program), either based on unforeseen financial hardship or for practical training. A limited period of practical training authorization may also be obtained at the conclusion of a bona fide educational program and during the student's course of study, particularly when such training is unavailable in the student's home country.

Students are generally admitted for "duration of status" which includes the duration of the program of study, any period of practical training authorized, plus an additional 60 days.

J-1: Exchange Visitor
An exchange visitor is a student, scholar, trainee, teacher, professor, research assistant, specialist, or leader in a field of specialized knowledge or skill, coming temporarily as a participant in a program designated by the U.S. Information Agency for the purpose of teaching, instructing, lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, or completing practical training. Certain 'J' visa holders are by law required to return to their own country for a period of two years to impart the knowledge they have gained in this country before they may apply for status as immigrants or obtain certain other nonimmigrant statuses, unless a waiver is granted. The initial period of admission is as specified in program Form IAP-66, but is not to exceed one year.

K: Fiance or Fiancee of U.S. Citizens
An individual engaged to be married to a U.S. citizen and who seeks to enter the U.S. solely to conclude a valid marriage with the U.S. citizen petitioner within 90 days after entry is a 'K' visa holder. The period of admission is 90 days. No extensions are available.

M-1: Nonacademic Student (see F-1 for academic students)
An individual seeking to enter the U.S. to pursue a full course of study at an established vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution, other than in a language training program, applies for an M-1 visa. Nonacademic students are admitted for the period of their school program plus 30 days. Employment authorization is not allowed, but a limited period of "practical training" may be authorized at the end of the program.

N: Relatives of Employees of Certain International Organizations
A relative of a long-term employee of the United Nations or certain other international organizations is eligible for the 'N' visa.

S: Witnesses and Informants
An individual who will be serving as a witness in federal or state court with respect to criminal enterprises, or who is determined by the Attorney General to possess critical and reliable information with respect to terrorist operations, may be accorded an 'S' visa.

WT: Visitors on the Visa Waiver Pilot Program
An individual from any of 26 listed counties may be permitted to enter the U.S. as a visitor of business or pleasure without obtaining a visa. 'WT' visitors are permitted to remain in the U.S. for 90 days maximum; generally, no extensions or changes of status are possible while they are in the United States. The 26 countries, including the U.K., various European countries, and others are placed on the list based on a historically low rate of nonimmigrant visa refusals.