For foreign nationals wanting to travel to Florida, the type of visa they might need will depend on the purpose of their visit. There are different visas for tourists, temporary stays, employment, and immigration. Since the available visas differ, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all application.
Types of visas
There are many different types of visas that fit into the following categories:
- Tourist and temporary business visits (B-1 and B-2 visas)
- Student visas to study at an approved educational institution (F-1 and J-1 visas)
- Nonimmigrant work visas (many types, including H-1B visas and others)
- Fiance visas (K-1 nonimmigrant visas to marry within 90 days of entering the U.S.)
- Immigration visas (multiple types, including employment-based, family-based, and others)
Each of these categories of visas has differing application requirements. Some might require applicants to schedule interviews at a U.S. Consulate or U.S. Embassy in their country and submit multiple documents demonstrating their financial ability to support themselves during their stay or their intent to return to their home countries following their visit to the U.S. Tourists coming from certain countries with which the U.S. has a visa waiver program might not need to get tourist visas.
The key to filing a successful visa application to come to the U.S. is to be careful when completing it. The U.S. government needs to understand who people are and why they want to come to the U.S. Consular officials will want documentation of the individual’s finances, ties to their home country, medical history, and more to ensure the individual is safe and eligible to enter the U.S. for the stated purpose. Some visas, including family-based immigration ones, must be requested by the U.S. citizen or resident family member who will sponsor the immigrant. Making sure to complete everything correctly, attach all necessary documents, pay the filing fees, and be honest during the interview is important for successfully receiving a visa.
