Unofficial site. Data from official U.S. government websites.

Visa issuance numbers, appointment wait times and the Visa Bulletin come from the U.S. Department of State (issuance reports, wait times, Visa Bulletin). Green card numbers come from the Department of Homeland Security (Office of Homeland Security Statistics). Issuance counts are not approval rates, and monthly figures are preliminary. This site is not legal or immigration advice and is not affiliated with the U.S. government.

Data through February 2026 · 108 months published since March 2017

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Questions and answers

U.S. visa and green card FAQ

Short, plain answers to the questions people ask most. Tap a question to read it. This is general information, not legal advice, and rules change, so check the official website for your case.

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U.S. visa basicsTourist and business visasStudent visasStudent employment and exchange visitorsWork visasOther employment and investment routesGreen card basicsEmployment-based green cardsFamily-based green cardsWaiting times, travel, and permanent residence

U.S. visa basics

The first questions most people ask: types, steps, costs, time and documents.

  1. Types of U.S. visas
  2. U.S. visa eligibility requirements
  3. How to apply for a U.S. visa
  4. U.S. visa application fees
  5. U.S. visa processing times
  6. Documents required for a U.S. visa
  7. DS-160 application guide
  8. How to book a U.S. visa appointment
  9. How to check U.S. visa application status
  10. U.S. visa interview questions and answers

Tourist and business visas

Visiting the U.S. for a holiday, family, medical care or a short business trip.

  1. B-1 versus B-2 visa
  2. U.S. tourist visa requirements
  3. Financial documents for a U.S. tourist visa
  4. Invitation letter for a U.S. visitor visa
  5. U.S. tourist visa interview preparation
  6. U.S. visitor visa renewal
  7. U.S. visa interview waiver eligibility
  8. How to extend a U.S. visitor stay
  9. U.S. tourist visa refusal under Section 214(b)
  10. Reapplying after a U.S. visa denial

Student visas

Studying in the U.S. on an F-1 visa: forms, fees, money, work and dependents.

  1. F-1 student visa requirements
  2. F-1 visa interview questions
  3. Form I-20 requirements
  4. How to pay the SEVIS fee
  5. Financial proof for a U.S. student visa
  6. F-1 visa renewal
  7. F-1 student visa versus student status
  8. F-1 student employment rules
  9. F-2 dependent visa requirements
  10. F-1 reinstatement after a status violation

Student employment and exchange visitors

OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, changing to H-1B, and the J-1 home-residency rule.

  1. Optional Practical Training eligibility
  2. How to apply for OPT
  3. STEM OPT extension requirements
  4. Curricular Practical Training eligibility
  5. CPT versus OPT
  6. OPT unemployment limits
  7. Traveling internationally while on OPT
  8. F-1 to H-1B change of status
  9. J-1 visa two-year home residency requirement
  10. J-1 waiver application process

Work visas

H-1B, H-4, L-1 and O-1: who qualifies and how the process works.

  1. H-1B visa eligibility
  2. H-1B lottery registration process
  3. H-1B cap-exempt employers
  4. H-1B visa sponsorship jobs
  5. H-1B employer transfer process
  6. H-1B extension requirements
  7. H-4 dependent visa requirements
  8. H-4 employment authorization eligibility
  9. L-1 visa requirements
  10. O-1 visa requirements

Other employment and investment routes

O-1 evidence, TN, E-2, seasonal workers, and options for nurses, PhDs and scientists.

  1. O-1 visa evidence for researchers
  2. O-1 visa versus EB-1A green card
  3. TN visa eligibility
  4. E-2 investor visa requirements
  5. E-2 visa versus EB-5 green card
  6. H-2A agricultural worker visa
  7. H-2B temporary worker visa
  8. U.S. visa options for nurses
  9. U.S. visa options for PhD graduates
  10. U.S. visa options for research scientists

Green card basics

How a green card works: categories, costs, steps, medical exam, interview and denials.

  1. How to get a U.S. green card
  2. Green card eligibility categories
  3. Green card application costs
  4. Green card processing times
  5. Adjustment of status versus consular processing
  6. Form I-485 application guide
  7. Green card medical examination requirements
  8. Green card interview questions
  9. How to check green card application status
  10. Reasons for green card application denial

Employment-based green cards

EB-1, EB-2, NIW, EB-3 and the PERM labor certification.

  1. EB-1A extraordinary ability requirements
  2. EB-1B outstanding professor or researcher requirements
  3. EB-1C multinational manager requirements
  4. EB-2 advanced degree requirements
  5. EB-2 National Interest Waiver requirements
  6. EB-2 NIW evidence for PhD students
  7. Publications and citations for EB-1A and NIW
  8. EB-1A versus EB-2 NIW
  9. EB-3 green card requirements
  10. PERM labor certification process

Family-based green cards

Marriage, parents, children, siblings, fiancé(e)s and the affidavit of support.

  1. Marriage-based green card requirements
  2. Green card through a U.S. citizen spouse
  3. Green card through a permanent resident spouse
  4. Green card sponsorship for parents
  5. Green card sponsorship for children
  6. Green card sponsorship for siblings
  7. K-1 fiancé visa requirements
  8. CR-1 versus IR-1 spouse visa
  9. Form I-864 Affidavit of Support requirements
  10. Removing conditions on a marriage-based green card

Waiting times, travel, and permanent residence

The Visa Bulletin, priority dates, the lottery, work and travel permits, and citizenship.

  1. Latest U.S. Visa Bulletin
  2. How to understand green card priority dates
  3. Visa Bulletin Dates for Filing versus Final Action Dates
  4. Green card backlog by country
  5. Diversity Visa lottery eligibility and application
  6. Employment authorization while I-485 is pending
  7. Advance parole travel requirements
  8. Green card renewal and replacement
  9. International travel and reentry permits for green card holders
  10. U.S. citizenship eligibility after a green card

Also see

Start here →Which visa do I need? →Interview waits →Visa Bulletin →Data questions →

Visa Status is an unofficial site. Answers are general information written in plain words. They are not legal advice and may be out of date if rules have changed.