Know Your Rights
Visas to the U.S.
Temporary Visitors
Non-Immigrant Visas
If you are planning to visit the United States on a temporary basis, you need a non-immigrant visa. There are many different types of non-immigrant visas. The links below are designed to assist travelers in selecting the category that best suits their plans.
Tourist/Business Traveler
Hiking down the Grand Canyon? Riding the Matterhorn at Disneyland? Traveling to Seattle for knowledge transfer? This visa class is for you.
Temporary Workers
If you're traveling to the United States to work, read this section. This includes all H and L visas as well as B1 in lieu of H.
Students and Exchange Visitors
If you're a student (undergraduate or graduate), trainee, or an exchange visitor - read this section. This includes visa categories F, J and M.
Crew Member
If you're working on a ship, read this section. This includes ship engineers, cooks, commies, captains, and anyone else with a seaman's book.
Dependent Visa (H4, F2, J2, L2, R2)
Spouses and children of visa applicants may qualify for their own visas in some circumstances.
For BEP Companies
The Business Executive Program (BEP) is for companies located in India and within the Chennai consular district, including Bangalore.
Other
If none of the above descriptions seem to apply to you, check here for more visa categories.
Once you know which category of visa applies to your travel, you're ready for the application process. Please be advised that there are many steps, and it may take longer than one might expect. Read the following sections carefully and plan ahead. Click on one of the following links for more information:
If you need a visa to travel to the United States due to a life-or-death medical or humanitarian emergency, please call [91] (44) 2857-4000 and ask for the Consular Section.