Explore different U.S. visa types, their requirements, benefits, and pathways.

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Quick Guide
Categories:
Student Education-based visas
Work Employment-based visas
Exchange Cultural exchange programs
Immigrant Permanent residence pathways
Humanitarian Protection-based visas
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Immigration Terms — Quick Glossary

I-20: Your official F-1 student form. Issued by your school, needed for your visa interview.
OPT: Optional Practical Training — work permission after studying (usually 1 year for F-1).
CPT: Curricular Practical Training — work/study during your program. School must approve it.
SEVIS: The database that tracks F-1 and J-1 students. You pay a fee to be registered before your visa interview.
214(b): The most common visa denial. It means you didn't convince the officer you'll return home.
DS-160: The online form you fill out for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas.
Visa Distribution Overview
Category Guide
F-1, M-1 (Student)
H-1B (Work)
J-1 (Exchange)
O-1 (Extraordinary)
L-1 (Intracompany)
M-1 (Vocational)
EB-2 (Green Card)
Asylum (Protection)