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The United States government requires foreigners to apply for and hold a visa in order to enter and travel within the US so that they can maintain secure borders and keep track of who enters and exits the country. There are both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. Before you apply for a visa you must know for which visa you should apply. 
Nonimmigrant Visas
People who wish to visit the U.S. on a temporary basis are issued nonimmigrant visas. In addition to providing the necessary forms and documents and paying fees, to qualify for nonimmigrant visas you must provide various types of documentation demonstrating your specific situation. You must demonstrate that you do not intend to permanently immigrant to the US. There are several types of nonimmigrant visas:
- Visitor’s visas are designated for tourists, those seeking medical treatment in the US and for people on business trips. Visitor’s visas are the most common visa issued by the US. You only have a certain amount of time in which you are allowed inside the US borders.
- Student Visas are issued to people wishing to study at a school or participate in a program located in the United States. Students must first be accepted into a program in the United States before they apply for a student visa. Educational institutions and program sponsors provide international students with the necessary documents to apply for a student visa after they have been accepted. Many programs help the students through the process of applying for student visas.
- Work Visas are for people who hope to temporarily work in the US. It is important that you and your employer apply for the specific work visa the applies to the type of work you will be doing.
- Fiancé visas are for people engaged to be married to an American citizen. The visa allows you to enter the US and gives you 90 days to be married. If you are not married to the US citizen who petitioned for your visa by the end of 90 days you will be deported. Before you are issued the fiancé visa the consulate requires proof that your romantic relationship is genuine.
The visa waiver program allows travelers coming from 35 different countries to be in the US for 90 days without a visa. These countries are:
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Andorra
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Iceland
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Norway
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Australia
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Ireland
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Portugal
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Austria
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Italy
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San Marino
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Belgium
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Japan
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Singapore
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Brunei
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Latvia
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Slovakia
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Czech Republic
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Liechtenstein
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Slovenia
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Denmark
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Lithuania
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South Korea
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Estonia
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Luxembourg
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Spain
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Finland
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Malta
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Sweden
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France
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Monaco
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Switzerland
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Germany
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The Netherlands
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United Kingdom
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Hungary
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New Zealand
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Immigrant Visa
If you are hoping to permanently immigrant to the United States you must apply for an immigration visa. There are family based and employment based visas. People already living in the United States petition for a foreigner to move and live and work within the US borders with them. It is very difficult to receive a visa to come and live permanently in the US without a family member or employer advocating for you.
Americans looking for a visa abroad
If you are an American citizen wishing to travel abroad you need to research specific entry requirements to that country. You can contact the US Embassy in the specific country you wish to visit or live and request more information.
You can find more information about your specific visa type and what is required of you for issuance at the U.S. Department of State website: travel.state.gov
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