Types Of Visa For USA Entry From Germany
by Mony Shah Legal 20 October 2023
If you are a German citizen or resident planning to travel to the United States, there are several types of visas available depending on the purpose of your visit. Here are some common visa types for entry into the USA from Germany:
Tourist (B-2) Visa:
This visa is for those who wish to visit the United States for tourism, pleasure, or to visit friends and family. One typically issues it for a short duration.
Business (B-1) Visa:
The B-1 visa is for individuals traveling to the United States for business purposes, such as meetings, conferences, negotiations, and training. You cannot use it for permanent employment in the U.S.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP):
German citizens are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows for visa-free travel to the United States for stays of up to 90 days for purposes of tourism or business. However, travelers under the VWP must obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding their flight.
Student (F-1) Visa:
If you plan to study in the United States, you will typically need an F-1 student visa. You must have an acceptance from a U.S. educational institution to apply for this visa.
Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa:
The J-1 visa is for individuals participating in exchange programs, including au pairs, scholars, interns, and students. It is subject to specific regulations and requirements related to the exchange program.
Work (H-1B) Visa:
If you have a job offer from a U.S. employer, the H-1B visa is for temporary employment in a specialized occupation. It requires sponsorship by the U.S. employer.
Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visa:
If you work for a multinational company with offices in both Germany and the United States, you may be eligible for an L-1 visa to transfer to a U.S. office.
Family-sponsored Visas (e.g., F-2, H-4, L-2):
Dependents of individuals with specific visa types may be eligible for derivative visas, allowing them to accompany the primary visa holder to the United States.
Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) Visas:
For German nationals involved in substantial trade or investment between the U.S. and Germany, these visas may be an option under certain bilateral treaties.
Religious Worker (R-1) Visa:
If you are a religious worker and plan to work for a religious organization in the United States, you may be eligible for an R-1 visa.
Victims of Crime (U Visa) and Human Trafficking (T Visa):
These are humanitarian visas for victims of certain crimes or human trafficking who cooperate with law enforcement.
Visa A:
This visa is mostly applicable to diplomats and government officials who hold official positions. Whether the duration of stay in the USA is less than 90 days, or whether they are among the countries traveling under the visa-free travel program (Visa Waiver Program). In this case, one cannot apply for one of the tourist visas such as ESTA.
Visa C:
Visa only for transit through the USA. This visa will be applicable for travelers whose nationality is not eligible for the VWP program.
For everyone else, it is enough to apply for ESTA (only if they meet all the requirements). If you already have a USA B visa, you don’t need the C visa just for transit.
Visa C1/D:
It is a combination between the USA C and D visa. It is for members of the crew of ships and aircraft and for transiting through the USA to reach your freighter.
E-Visa:
The E-Visa category (E-1 and E-2). The E-1 visa focuses on business people in countries that are partners in trade agreements with the USA and trade in large quantities of goods. The E-2 visa mainly focuses on investors who wish to enter and work in the United States after making their own significant financial investments.
G Visa:
The G Visa category is for diplomats and anyone who needs to attend meetings or is part of and works at an institution recognized by the US government.
Visa I:
The Category I visa mainly intend to target people who want to enter the USA and temporarily pursue their profession as a press spokesman, radio or television. This category of visas also includes those who perform basic and relevant tasks to inform foreign media such as correspondents and escorts, editors, etc.
If the correspondent is married and has children under 21, his relatives can apply for the same US Category I visa to accompany or join him. However, the correspondent must prove that he can support himself and his family.
K Visa:
The K visa category has further subdivisions into K-1 and K-2. The USA K-1 Visa or “Fiancée Visa” (immigrant visa) is intended for American citizens who wish to allow their fiancé to enter the USA to get married within 90 days of entering the USA. One needs to issue the K-2 variant for unmarried children under 21 of a K-1 visa holder. The US K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for dependents of US citizens residing abroad.
R visa:
The US R visa category is suitable for people who want to enter the USA to temporarily work in the religious sector. R visa applicants must have been members of religious societies or non-profit humanitarian organizations that have been present on American territory for at least two years.
Visa S:
This visa is issued to witnesses or members of the judiciary who assist the authorities in carrying out their investigations. This visa must be applied for by a law enforcement agency.
TN Visa:
This is a nonimmigrant visa available only to citizens of Mexico and Canada that allows them to work temporarily in the United States.
T visa:
The so-called non-immigrant T visa is applicable for victims of human trafficking. It focuses on both children and adults. The aim is to help people who have been victims of smuggling into the USA against their will or through false applications or other benefits. Someone who has been experiencing violence or any form of slavery might also opt for it.
U Visa:
This is a US non-immigrant visa to collect information to solve a crime and people (who are not US citizens). They might be victims of crime and need protection. To apply for and receive a U visa, it is imperative to commit the crime on U.S. soil.
Visa V:
Issued to relatives and minor children of persons living in the United States. They might or might not be permanent residents in order to reunite with their relatives.
In addition to the above-mentioned visas, there are others. A common example is the famous “Green Card.” It is a document that provides the possibility of permanent residence in the USA, as well as the possibility of permanent work in the USA. Check out more information here.
Study and Work Visa
Visa O:
Designated for people with exceptional abilities in a specific field, which can range from scientific, artistic, and sporting to the film industry. To obtain this US visa, the individual must prove that they have received national or international recognition for their achievements and must prove that they have received a job offer in the US.
Visa P:
Target groups are athletes participating in sporting events, individuals or teams that are internationally recognized. Athletes who have competed in a major championship in the United States or internationally. Furthermore, these are the eligible ones for the USA P visa.
Minor league athletes are not considered eligible. If it is a team, the technical staff (coaches and staff) can also apply for this visa.
Visa Q:
It is dedicated to cultural exchange between countries. Applicants for the USA Q visa are required to undertake a series of exchange programs aimed at expounding on the history, culture and traditions of the applicant’s country of citizenship.
A peculiarity that we can mention in this case is the existence of a real lottery to obtain this coveted green card. The lottery, organized by government authorities, offers 50,000 permits every year that can be won through a simple draw.
Citizens coming from countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, including Germany, can easily participate in the lottery.
We have listed and partially illustrated some of the 190 visas provided by the US government.
It is not possible to list them all because some of them are divided into subcategories. For example, a category may contain immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Why can Someone Reject a US visa application?
Just like with ESTA, the application for a visa to the USA can face rejection (for the same reasons). The reasons for rejection may depend on health, criminal records, or unsuitability for this type of visa. These are some of the many reasons why one might refuse a visa.
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