The guide collection
Find the right starting point.
Compare seven visa topics by purpose. These guides organize the questions to ask; they do not assess individual eligibility.
7 guides found
A clear plan for a temporary visit
Understand B-1 business visits and B-2 tourism, prepare an evidence folder and separate visa validity from your permitted stay.
Read the guidePrepare for study, one stage at a time
A practical F-1 planning guide covering the school, Form I-20, funding evidence, visa interview and questions for your designated school official.
Read the guideLook beyond the job offer
Understand the H-1B specialty-occupation framework, the employer’s role and the evidence to organize before a petition is prepared.
Read the guideTurn achievements into an evidence record
Compare O-1A and O-1B, organize evidence of achievement and understand the petitioner, proposed work and consultation questions.
Read the guidePlan the marriage and the immigration stages
Understand the K-1 fiancé(e) route, the U.S. citizen petition, relationship evidence and the steps after admission and marriage.
Read the guideMap the company, the role and the transfer
Compare L-1A managers and executives with L-1B specialized knowledge workers and prepare a clear intracompany-transfer evidence file.
Read the guideReview the immigration case and the investment
An EB-5 preparation guide covering the enterprise, lawful source of funds, job creation, project questions and the distinction between immigration and investment risk.
Read the guideNo matching guide. Try a visa code or choose another purpose.
Compare the question each guide answers
| Category | Start here if you are asking… | Focus of the guide |
|---|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 | A clear plan for a temporary visit | Visit |
| F-1 | Prepare for study, one stage at a time | Study |
| H-1B | Look beyond the job offer | Work |
| O-1 | Turn achievements into an evidence record | Work |
| K-1 | Plan the marriage and the immigration stages | Family |
| L-1 | Map the company, the role and the transfer | Work |
| EB-5 | Review the immigration case and the investment | Invest |
Visa, status and work permission are different.
A visa is used to seek admission; its expiration does not determine the length of every stay. Read the Department of State’s explanation of visa validity and admission, and check the conditions that apply to your classification.
Need a practical next step?
Use the preparation checklist to organize questions before you collect or submit documents. For official application charges, use the USCIS fee schedule and the relevant consular instructions. We do not estimate an approval date or give a single fee for every case.