NonImmigrant vs. Immigrant

Every person who enters the U.S. has a status.  The most common, other than U.S. citizen, are either "nonimmigrant" or "immigrant."

For purposes of U.S. immigration law, an “immigrant” visa is issued to a foreign national seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. as a permanent resident.

A “nonimmigrant” visa is issued to a foreign national seeking to enter or remain in the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose, such as tourism, conducting a business meeting, studying at a university, or working for a U.S. company.  Nonimmigrants enter the U.S. for a temporary period of time and, once in the U.S., are restricted to the activity or reason for which their visa was issued.   They may have more than one type of nonimmigrant visa but may only be admitted in or hold one status at a time.  Most nonimmigrant visas generally require that applicants demonstrate an intent to return to their home country after the temporary period for which they were admitted.

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