Non-Immigrant Visas

What Type of Visa do I Need? 

The purpose of your trip to the United States determines the kind of visa you will need. The following provides information on visa requirements for travelers to the United States who wish to visit, work or study for a temporary period.

• Visa Waiver Program. U.S. visa policy permits citizens of certain countries, including Portugal, to travel to the US without a visa for less than 90 days for purposes of tourism or business. The requirement for tourist/business (B1/B2) visas may also be waived for nationals of certain countries that have an agreement with the U.S. government. For more information, read the section containing information for nationals of Bermuda, Canada and Mexico.
   
• Find Your Visa Type
   
• Applying for a work visa once a petition has been approved.
   
• If a national of Bermuda, Canada, or Mexico for additional information.

Visa Types

• Academics & Researchers (J) - Researcher; Medical Internship or Research; Professor/Lecturer/Speaker; Exchange Student.
   
• Athletes, Artists & Entertainers (O or P) - Persons with Extraordinary Ability & Members of the Entertainment Professions.
   
• Au Pairs (J) - Au-Pairs; Nannies & Mother's Helpers.
   
• Business (B1) - Negotiating contracts, consulting with business associates, litigation; and participating in scientific, educational, professional/ business conventions, conferences or seminars and other legitimate activities of a commercial or professional nature. Private Yachts crewmembers.
   
• Crew Visas (C1/D)- Crewmembers of international airlines and seaman employed in the normal operation and service of a vessel. For Example: Engineers, First mates, etc. 
   
• Cultural Exchange (J) - Participants in an international cultural exchange program designed to provide practical training, employment and sharing cultural exchanges.
   
• Domestic Employees (B1) - Personal or domestic employees who are accompanying an employer to the U.S. 
   

  • Accompanying a Nonimmigrant Visa Holder: Personal or domestic employees who are accompanying or joining an employer on a non-immigrant visa to the U.S.  
     

  • Accompanying an American Citizen: Personal or domestic employees who are accompanying or joining their US citizen employer, who normally resides abroad.
     

• Exchange Visitor (J) - Taking up prearranged employment, training or research in the US under an officially approved program sponsored by an educational or other nonprofit institution.
   
• Fiancé(e) (K) - A fiancé(e) of a US citizen who will travel to marry and take up indefinite residence after marriage.  
   
• Holiday/Tourism (B2) - Holidaymakers or tourists, visiting family or friends.
   
• Media (I) - Representatives of the foreign media traveling on assignment.
   
• NATO - Officials traveling on NATO orders.
   
• Religious Worker (R) - To work as Member of a religious denomination which has a bona fide nonprofit religious organization in the United States.
   
• Student (F) - A student wishing to attend a university or other academic institution.
   
• Temporary Work Visa (H) - Required by an employee who is coming to perform services for a petitioning company or institution.
   
• Intra-company Transferee Visa (L) - Employees of an international company who are being temporarily transferred to a parent branch, affiliate, or subsidiary of the same company in the U.S.
   
• Treaty Trader/Investor Visas (E) - A national of a participating treaty country who plans to carry on substantial trade or to develop and direct an enterprise in which the national has invested.
  NOTE: No such treaty exists between Portugal and the U.S.