Do I need to apply for a US Visa? 

Canadian citizens generally do not require a visa to enter the US directly from Canada for the purpose of visiting or studying. However, every case is different and it also depends on which country you’re entering from. It is best to consult an immigration expert to find out more information. 

Which countries need a US Visa to visit the United States? 

To be eligible to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program, you need to be a citizen from one of the following countries: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. 

If you are not from one of the aforementioned countries, you need to fully apply for a US visa.

What is the US Visa application process?

The US Visa application process has 8 steps: check if you need a visa, choose the type of US visa you will apply for, fill in the non-immigrant visa application form DS-160, pay your application fee(s), schedule a visa interview, compile the document file, attend the visa interview, and wait for processing.

You need to check if you need a visa first because you could be a citizen of a country that is eligible to travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program and might not have to go through the application process. 

Once you choose which visa you will apply for, you need to fill out the DS-160 form, which is the online nonimmigrant US visa application form and it can be found online on the website of the US consulate from which you are applying.   

US Visa types

There are two types of US visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Within those two categories are many sub sectors based on your specific needs, situation, and intention of travel/moving. 

It is important to note that if you are a Canadian NAFTA professional worker, a visa is not required. You will need to apply to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the border port of entry. 

Nonimmigrant Visas

Nonimmigrant US visa categories for various purposes of travel include: B-1 for athletes, J for au pairs (an exchange visitor), E-3 Australian professional specialty, the BCC (border crossing card) for Mexico, B-1 for business visitors, CW-1 for CNMI-only transitional workers, D visa for crewmembers, A visa for diplomats/foreign government officials, B-1 for domestic employees/nannies, the G-1 to G-5/NATO visa for employees of a designated international organization or NATO, J visa for exchange visitors, A-2 or NATO1-6 visa for foreign military personnel stationed in the US, the O visa for foreign nationals with extraordinary abilities in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics, and the H-1B1 for either Chile or Singapore for free trade agreement (FTA) professionals. 

Additionally, there is the Q visa for international cultural exchange visitors, the L visa for an intra-company transferee, B-2 visa for a visitor receiving medical treatment in the US, I visa for journalists and media, TN/TD visa for NAFTA professional workers from Mexico or Canada, the P visa for a performing artist, athlete, or entertainer, the J or H-1B visa for physicians, the J visa for visiting professors, scholars, or teachers, R visa for religious workers, H-1B for specialty occupations in fields requiring highly specialized knowledge, the F or M visa for students, the H-2A for a temporary agricultural worker, the H-2B for a temporary worker performing seasonal services/labour, and the B-2 visa for visitors on vacation/traveling for pleasure. 

Lastly, the list includes the H-3 visa for training in a program not primarily for employment, the E visa for treaty traders/treaty investors, the C visa for transiting the US, the U visa for victims of criminal activity, the T visa for victims of human trafficking, and the V visa for nonimmigrant spouses or children of a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR). 

Immigrant Visas

The different types of US immigrant visas include the IR1 or CR1 for the spouse of a US citizen, the K-3 for the spouse of a US citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition, the K-1 for a fiance to marry a US citizen and live in the US, the IR3, IH3, IR4, or IH4 for intercountry adoption of orphan children by US citizens, and the IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, or F4 for certain family members of US citizens. 

Additionally there is the F2A or F2B for certain family members of lawful permanent residents, the E1, E2, E3, EW3, C5, T5, R5, I5, or S for employment-based immigrants, the SD or SR for religious workers, the SI for Iraqi or Afghan translators/interpreters, the SQ for Iraqis or Afghans who worked for/on behalf of the US government, DV for diversity immigrants, and the SB visa for returning residents. 

What is the difference between nonimmigrant and immigrant visas? 

The difference between a nonimmigrant and immigrant visa is that nonimmigrant visas are for nonresidents who wish to visit the United States for various reasons, while an immigrant visa results in receiving permanent residence in the United States.

Visitor Visas

The United States offers the B-1 and B-2 visas for nonimmigrants, entailing a stay for a temporary basis. These visas allow visitors to stay in the country for a maximum period of 6 months. However, if you are traveling for immigration purposes such as getting married, you can apply for the K-1 visa. 

The K-1 visa is for the nonimmigrant fiance of the US citizen or lawful permanent resident. The visa allows you to travel to the United States to marry a US citizen within 90 days of arrival. You can also apply for permanent residency to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after getting married. 

Generally you have to have met the US citizen in person in the last 2 years to be eligible, but exceptions can be granted by the USCIS if you couldn’t meet in person due to reasons such as restrictions in your home country. However, the USCIS will verify the validity of your relationship to confirm that the marriage is not for the sole purpose of obtaining permanent residency in the United States. 

To apply for the K-1 Visa, your fiance (the US citizen) must submit the 1-129F form to the USCIS. If approved, the National Visa Centre will inform you of your case number and the petition will be sent to the US Embassy or consulate near your residence in your home country.

There are also the B-1 and B-2 visitor visas. 

The B-1 Visa is for individuals who intend to conduct business, attend conferences/conventions, or appear as a witness in court trials in the United States. Applicants are not permitted to perform productive work or accept employment. 

The B-2 Visa is for individuals who wish to travel in the United States for personal reasons like tourism or to receive medical treatment. To be eligible for the B-1 or B-2 visa, applicants must plan to remain in the US for a limited and specified period of time, have sufficient funds to support their stay, and demonstrate sufficient ties to their home country. 

Learn more about processing times and refusals for the K-1, B-1, and B-2 visas. 

Business Visa

A business visa, also known as a B-1 visa, is a visitor visa that allows you to visit the United States for business activities such as research, consultations with associates or clients, legal negotiations, attending seminars, conferences, or conventions, and negotiating contracts.

Since a B-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, it’s valid for only a short period of 6 months. However, there is the possibility for you to renew your visa to extend your stay for another 6 months.

To be eligible for the B-1 visa, you must meet the business traveler requirements outlined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You must demonstrate that your main objective for visiting the country is to engage in legitimate business practices, have enough funds to cater to your expenses, don’t plan to settle in the US permanently, and have no imposed restrictions to enter the US. 

Processing times for US visitor visas depend on factors such as the office responsible for processing the file, the type of visa, visa interview wait times, whether the applicant can qualify for an expedited interview appointment, whether expedited processing is available, whether premium processing is available, and if all documents have been provided. 

Find out the top 10 reasons for B-1 visa refusal. 

Tourist Visa

A B-2 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay and offers the holder the opportunity to travel in the country for up to 6 months, with the ability to apply for an extension to stay longer. Applicants must prove that their intent for visiting isn’t for permanent immigration to the US. Visa extensions are granted if you haven’t violated the conditions of your original admission into the US. 

Foreign nationals wanting to visit the US for tourism purposes qualify for the visa. The B-2 visa application process is loaded with complex rules that can be interpreted in a variety of ways. Demonstrating that you have sufficient funds in your possession will improve your chances to qualify for a visitor visa.

Processing times for US visitor visas depend on factors such as the office responsible for processing the file, the type of visa, visa interview wait times, whether the applicant can qualify for an expedited interview appointment, whether expedited processing is available, whether premium processing is available, and if all documents have been provided. 

Find out the top 10 reasons for B-2 Visa refusal. 

Student Visas

If you are planning to study in the United States as a temporary nonimmigrant visa holder at an academic school (F-1 visa) or a vocational school (M-1 visa), you may be able to apply for one of these two visas. 

The F-1 student visa is available to international students and their families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States at an academic institution. The visa covers students who wish to attend a US school from the elementary to university level. 

To be eligible for the F-1 visa, applicants must have an offer of admission from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school, have strong ties to their home country, be able to prove sufficient financial funds and be proficient in English. 

If you wish to pursue studies in the US to learn a trade or to become a technician, the M-1 study visa may be your best option. The M-1 is for students who want to study at a non-academic or vocational school where completion does not lead to a degree. 

The M-1 student visa is available to international individuals or families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States. To be eligible for the M-1 student visa, applicants must intend to study at a vocational or non-academic school other than language training, have been accepted to an SEVP institution, be proficient in English, have strong ties to their home country, and be able to fund their education and stay. 

Click here to find out the processing times and top reasons for refusal of the F-1 and M-1 visas. 

F-1 Visa

The F-1 student visa is available to international students and their families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States at an academic institution. The visa covers students who wish to attend a US school from the elementary to university level. 

To be eligible for the F-1 visa, applicants must have an offer of admission from a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) approved school, have strong ties to their home country, be able to prove sufficient financial funds and be proficient in English. 

Dependents of F-1 visa holders (F-2 Visa)

Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) who accompany the primary visa holder to the US may receive F-2 dependent status. Their eligibility to stay legally in the US, as well as to extend their stay, is contingent upon the primary visa holder maintaining their legal status and extending their program in a timely manner. 

The spouse and unmarried minor children of the F-1 student may be admitted into the US in F-2 classification if each dependent presents a SAVIS Form I-20 issued in their own name and an F-2 visa. 

To apply for an F-2 visa, you need a valid passport, photographs, F-2 dependents SEVIS Form I-20, visa application fee, visa application forms, and any necessary supporting documentation. 

The F-2 spouse and children of an F-1 student may not accept employment in the US. Once the F-1 student has completed their studies and has left the US, the F-2 dependents must leave as well. 

M1 Visa

If you wish to pursue studies in the US to learn a trade or to become a technician, the M-1 study visa may be your best option. The M-1 is for students who want to study at a non-academic or vocational school where completion does not lead to a degree. 

The M-1 student visa is available to international individuals or families for temporary residence in order to study in the United States. To be eligible for the M-1 student visa, applicants must intend to study at a vocational or non-academic school other than language training, have been accepted to an SEVP institution, be proficient in English, have strong ties to their home country, and be able to fund their education and stay. 

After completion, one can get an associate, any type of degree, or return to your home country. You are permitted to acquire a driver’s license, open a bank account, access healthcare services, and work under certain circumstances. 

Exchange Visitor Visa

The J-1 Visa for the United States is an Exchange Visitor Program for scholars, professors, and exchange visitors who will participate in programs that promote cultural change. It is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals or family members wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis. 

This exchange program is for individuals to study, work, conduct research, or teach. To be eligible, you must be either a trainee or intern in medicine, business, or other fields, be a secondary school, college, or university student, be a teacher at an academic level, be a professor employed to teach or perform research at post-secondary institutions, be an au pair, a government visitor, or a research scholar. 

The intent of the J-1 visa is for these participants of the Exchange Visitor Program to learn specific skills while in the US and to utilize those skills when they return to their home country. To obtain a J-1 visa, you must ensure that you have the required academic background, meet the eligibility criteria, and have an American organization that will act as your sponsor. 

You will also be required to show that you have sufficient funds to support your stay and that you have strong ties to your home country. The processing times for the J-1 visa depend on many factors, and there are reasons for refusal that you should know about before applying. Learn more by clicking here. 

Dependents of J-1 Visa holders (J-2 Visa)

The J-2 visa is a US nonimmigrant visa for dependents. Spouses or unmarried children under 21 years old can accompany a J-1 visa holder with the J-2 visa. J-2 visa holders are dependent on the status of the J-1 person, so any changes to the J-1 status will result in changes to the J-2 status too.

Since there are so many categories of J-1 visas, each one has their own rules to the J-2 visa. Categories of au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student, and work and travel participants are not allowed to have J-2 dependents accompany them to the US. Other categories are allowed to have J-2 dependents.

However, since J-1 visa holders are sponsored by different organizations and programs, they might be allowed to have a J-2 dependent only if their program allows it. For example, if you are a university student and would like to bring your spouse to the US on a J-2 visa, the US government does not state any objectives for this. But if your sponsor does not allow you to, then you may not bring your spouse to the US on a J-2 visa.

As with J-1 visas, J-2 visas do not have a cap either, so there are no limitations to the number of people who can get this type of visa. J-2 visa holders are allowed to enroll in academic study, get a driver’s license, open bank accounts, travel in and out of the US anytime, as well as work under certain circumstances.