What Are the Most Common Types of U.S. Visas?

Navigating the U.S. Visa Landscape in 2026

The United States offers a wide range of visas, each designed for specific purposes such as tourism, work, education, or permanent immigration. As we move through 2026, understanding these categories is more critical than ever due to significant new fee structures and historic shifts in how applications are prioritized.

Immigrant Visas: For those seeking permanent residency (a "Green Card").
Nonimmigrant Visas: For temporary stays like business, tourism, or study.
Key 2026 Requirement: Most nonimmigrant visas issued at consulates now require a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which may be refundable upon lawful departure from the U.S.

Significant 2026 Updates

The start of 2026 has brought several major changes to the visa process. From the introduction of "integrity fees" to a prioritized lottery system for workers, applicants must be aware of these new hurdles:

Common Types of Immigrant Visas

Immigrant visas are the first step on the road to U.S. citizenship. They allow you to live and work in the U.S. permanently.

Family-Based: For immediate relatives (spouses, children, and parents) of U.S. citizens.
Employment-Based: For professionals with specialized skills or job offers. In 2026, many I-140 petitions are seeing increased scrutiny regarding the "public charge" rule.
Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery): For individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates.

Common Types of Nonimmigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant visas are for temporary stays and require applicants to prove they intend to return to their home country.

J-1 Exchange Visitor: For scholars, interns, and au pairs.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee: For managers or executives moving within a global company.
O-1 Extraordinary Ability: For those at the top of their field in science, arts, or business. This category remains a popular alternative to the H-1B in 2026.
TN Visas: Specifically for Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA.

The H-1B "Weighted" Selection of 2026

For the Fiscal Year 2027 cap (registration starting in March 2026), the traditional random lottery has been replaced. The new system prioritizes applicants based on their salary level. Higher-paid professionals (Level 4 wages) receive more "tickets" in the pool, fundamentally changing the strategy for employers and foreign workers alike.

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