Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers who seek temporary entry to the United States for a specific purpose, including foreign government officials, visitors for business and for pleasure, treaty traders and investors, students, and fiance(e)s of United States citizens. Most nonimmigrants can be accompanied or joined by spouses and unmarried minor (or dependent) children.

Citizens of qualified countries may be able to visit the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The Visa Waiver Program enables citizens of 38 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. All prospective VWP travelers must obtain pre-travel authorization via U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ESTA system prior to boarding a plane or ship bound for the United States.