ȱ
ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ
–’œœ’˜—œȱ
‘Šȱǯȱ ŠŠ•ȱ
—Š•¢œȱ’—ȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
ž‘ȱ••Ž—ȱŠœŽ–ȱ
™ŽŒ’Š•’œȱ’—ȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ
Š—žŠ›¢ȱŗśǰȱŘŖŖşȱ
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŝȬśŝŖŖȱ
   ǯŒ›œǯ˜Ÿȱ
řŗřŞŗȱ
ȱŽ™˜›ȱ˜›ȱ˜—›Žœœ
Pr
epared for Members and Committees of Congress

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
ž––Š›¢ȱ
U.S. law provides for the temporary admission of various categories of foreign nationals, who are
known as nonimmigrants. Nonimmigrants are admitted for a designated period of time and a
specific purpose. They include a wide range of visitors, including tourists, foreign students,
diplomats, and temporary workers. There are 24 major nonimmigrant visa categories, and 87
specific types of nonimmigrant visas issued. These visa categories are commonly referred to by
the letter and numeral that denotes their subsection in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA);
for example, B-2 tourists, E-2 treaty investors, F-1 foreign students, H-1B temporary professional
workers, J-1 cultural exchange participants, or S-4 terrorist informants.
Interest in nonimmigrant visas soared immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks, which were conducted by foreign nationals apparently admitted to the United States on
legal visas. Since that time, policy makers have raised a series of questions about aliens in the
United States and the extent that the federal government monitors their admission and presence in
this country. Some visa categories are the focus of legislative activity (e.g., guest workers).
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) consular officer, at the time of application for a visa, as well
as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration inspectors, at the time of application
for admission, must be satisfied that the alien is entitled to nonimmigrant status. The burden of
proof is on the applicant to establish eligibility for nonimmigrant status and the type of
nonimmigrant visa for which the application is made. Both DOS consular officers (when the alien
is petitioning abroad) and DHS inspectors (when the alien is entering the United States) must
confirm that the alien is not ineligible for a visa under the so-called “grounds for inadmissibility”
of the INA, which include criminal, terrorist, and public health grounds for exclusion.
Nonimmigrant visas issued abroad dipped to 5.0 million in FY2004 after peaking at 7.6 million in
FY2001. In FY2008, 6.6 million nonimmigrant visas were issued. Over the past 12 years, DOS
has typically issued around 6 million nonimmigrant visas annually. The growth in visa issuance in
the late 1990s has been largely attributable to the issuances of border crossing cards to residents
of Mexico and the issuances of temporary worker visas. Combined, visitor visas issued for
tourism and business comprised the largest group of nonimmigrants in FY2008, with about 4.7
million, down from 5.7 million in FY2000. Other notable categories were students and exchange
visitors (11.6%) and temporary workers (9.9%).
The law and regulations set terms for nonimmigrant lengths of stay in the United States, typically
have foreign residency requirements, and often limit what aliens are permitted to do in the United
States (e.g., gain employment or enroll in school), but many observers assert that the policies are
not uniformly or rigorously enforced. Achieving an optimal balance among major policy
priorities, such as ensuring national security, facilitating trade and commerce, protecting public
health and safety, and fostering international cooperation, remains a challenge.

˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
˜—Ž—œȱ
Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1
Broad Categories of Nonimmigrants......................................................................................... 2
Diplomats and Other International Representatives ........................................................... 2
Visitors as Business Travelers and Tourists ........................................................................ 2
Multinational Corporate Executives and International Investors........................................ 3
Temporary Workers............................................................................................................. 3
Cultural Exchange............................................................................................................... 3
Foreign Students ................................................................................................................. 3
Family-Related.................................................................................................................... 3
Law Enforcement-Related .................................................................................................. 4
Aliens in Transit and Crew Members ................................................................................. 4
Exclusion and Removal............................................................................................................. 4
Inadmissibility .................................................................................................................... 4
Termination of Status .......................................................................................................... 5
Periods of Admission ................................................................................................................ 5
Length of Stay..................................................................................................................... 5
Duration of Visa.................................................................................................................. 5
Employment Authorization ....................................................................................................... 5
Permission to Work............................................................................................................. 5
Labor Market Tests ............................................................................................................. 6
Statistical Trends ............................................................................................................................. 6
Nonimmigrants by Region ........................................................................................................ 6
Temporary Visas Issued ...................................................................................................... 6
Temporary Admissions ....................................................................................................... 8
Temporary Visitors by Category ..............................................................................................11
Temporary Admissions ......................................................................................................11
Temporary Visas Issued .................................................................................................... 14
Current Issues ................................................................................................................................ 17
Temporary Workers................................................................................................................. 18
Temporary Skilled and Professional Workers................................................................... 18
Guest Workers................................................................................................................... 18
Foreign Medical Graduates ..................................................................................................... 18
Foreign Investors..................................................................................................................... 19
Foreign Students...................................................................................................................... 19
Enforcing Current Law.................................................................................................................. 20

’ž›Žœȱ
Figure 1. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Region, FY2008............................................................. 7
Figure 2. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Region, FY1998-FY2008 .............................................. 8
Figure 3. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Region, FY2007 .............................................................. 9
Figure 4. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Region, FY1998-FY2007 .............................................. 10
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 5. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Category, FY2007.......................................................... 12
Figure 6. Admissions of Nonimmigrants Other Than Visitors, FY1998-FY2007 ......................... 13
Figure 7. Admissions of Nonimmigrant Visitors, FY1998-FY2007.............................................. 14
Figure 8. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Category, FY2008 ........................................................ 15
Figure 9. Visas Issued to Nonimmigrants Other Than Visitors, FY2002-FY2008........................ 16
Figure 10. Visas Issued to Nonimmigrant Visitors, FY2002-FY2008 .......................................... 17

Š‹•Žœȱ
Table 1. Periods of Stay and Foreign Residency Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visas ............ 21
Table 2. Employment Authorization, Numerical Limits, and FY2006 Issuances for
Nonimmigrant Visas................................................................................................................... 25

˜—ŠŒœȱ
Author Contact Information .......................................................................................................... 31

˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
ŸŽ›Ÿ’Ž ȱ
—›˜žŒ’˜—ȱ
U.S. law provides for the temporary admission of various categories of foreign nationals, who are
known as nonimmigrants. Nonimmigrants are admitted for a designated period of time and a
specific purpose. Nonimmigrants include a wide range of people, such as tourists, foreign
students, diplomats, temporary agricultural workers, exchange visitors, internationally-known
entertainers, foreign media representatives, intracompany business personnel, and crew members
on foreign vessels.
Legislative activity usually focuses on specific visa categories, and legislative revisions to
temporary visa categories have usually occurred incrementally. Interest in nonimmigrant visas as
a group, however, soared immediately following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, which
were conducted by foreign nationals admitted to the United States on temporary visas. Since that
time, policy makers have raised a series of questions about aliens in the United States and the
extent that the federal government monitors their admission and presence in this country. The
Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act (P.L. 107-173), provisions in the
Homeland Security Act (P.L. 107-296), and provisions in the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism
Prevention Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-458) are examples of broad reforms of immigration law to
tighten procedures and oversight of aliens temporarily admitted to the United States.
Foreign nationals may be admitted to the United States temporarily or may come to live
permanently.1 Those admitted on a permanent basis are known as immigrants or legal permanent
residents (LPRs), while those admitted on a temporary basis are known as nonimmigrants. Aliens
who are in the United States without authorization (i.e., illegal aliens) are not discussed in this
report.
U.S. immigration policy, embodied in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), presumes that
all aliens seeking admission to the United States are coming to live permanently.2 As a result,
nonimmigrants must demonstrate that they are coming for a temporary period and for a specific
purpose. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) consular officer, at the time of application for a
visa, as well as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration inspectors, at the time
of application for admission, must be satisfied that the alien is entitled to a nonimmigrant status.3
The burden of proof is on the applicant to establish eligibility for nonimmigrant status and the
type of nonimmigrant visa for which the application is made. The law exempts only the H-1
workers, L intracompany transfers, and V family members from the requirement that they prove
that they are not coming to live permanently.4

1 For background and analysis of visa issuance policy, see CRS Report RL31512, Visa Issuances: Policy, Issues, and
Legislation
, by Ruth Ellen Wasem.
2 §214(b) of INA.
3 22 CFR §41.11(a).
4 §214(b) of INA. Nonimmigrant visas are commonly referred to by the letter and numeral that denotes their subsection
in §101(a)(15). Hence, the principal visa holder for vocational student category as provided for in §101(a)(15)(M)(i)
would be known as an “M-1,” while a spouse or dependent of the principal as provided for under §101(a)(15)(ii) would
be known as an “M-2,” etc.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
This report begins with a synthesis of the nonimmigrant categories according to the purpose of
the visa. It discusses the periods of admission and length of stay and then summarizes grounds for
inadmissibility and removal as well as reasons for termination of status. It describes the
circumstances under which nonimmigrants may work in the United States and follows with an
analysis of nonimmigrant admissions. The report concludes with a discussion of issues, followed
by two detailed tables analyzing key admissions requirements across all nonimmigrant visa types.
›˜ŠȱŠŽ˜›’Žœȱ˜ȱ˜—’––’›Š—œȱ
There are 24 major nonimmigrant visa categories, and 87 specific types of nonimmigrant visas
issued currently.5 Most of these nonimmigrant visa categories are defined in §101(a)(15) of INA.
These temporary visas may be grouped under the broad labels described below.
’™•˜–ŠœȱŠ—ȱ‘Ž›ȱ —Ž›—Š’˜—Š•ȱŽ™›ŽœŽ—Š’ŸŽœȱ
Ambassadors, consuls, and other official representatives of foreign governments (and their
immediate family and servants) enter the United States on A visas. Official representatives of
international organizations (and their immediate family and servants) are admitted on G visas.
Those nonimmigrants entering under the auspices of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO) have their own visa categories. Aliens who work for foreign media use the I visa.
’œ’˜›œȱŠœȱžœ’—Žœœȱ›ŠŸŽ•Ž›œȱŠ—ȱ˜ž›’œœȱ
B-1 nonimmigrants are visitors for business and are required to be seeking admission for
activities other than purely local employment or hire. The difference between a business visitor
and a temporary worker also depends on the source of the alien’s salary. To be classified as a
visitor for business, an alien must receive his or her salary from abroad and must not receive any
remuneration from a U.S. source other than an expense allowance and reimbursement for other
expenses incidental to temporary stay.
The B-2 visa is granted for temporary visitors for “pleasure,” otherwise known as tourists.
Tourists, who are encouraged to visit as a boon to the U.S. economy, have consistently been the
largest nonimmigrant class of admission to the United States. A B-2 nonimmigrant may not
engage in any employment in the United States.
Many visitors, however, enter the United States without nonimmigrant visas through the Visa
Waiver Program. This provision of the INA allows the Attorney General to waive the visa
documentary requirements for aliens coming as visitors from 28 countries (e.g., Australia, France,
Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom).6

5 Law on nonimmigrants dates back to the Immigration Act of 1819. An immigration law enacted in 1924 defined
several classes of nonimmigrant admission. The disparate series of immigration and nationality laws were codified into
the INA in 1952. Major laws amending the INA are the Immigration Amendments of 1965, the Refugee Act of 1980,
the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the Immigration Act of 1990, and the Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. The newest family-related nonimmigrant visa—known as the V visa—was
folded into the District of Columbia FY2001 appropriations conference agreement (H.R. 4942, H.Rept. 106-1005),
which became P.L. 106-553.
6 See CRS Report RL32221, Visa Waiver Program, by Alison Siskin, hereafter cited as Visa WaiverPprogram.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Řȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
ž•’—Š’˜—Š•ȱ˜›™˜›ŠŽȱ¡ŽŒž’ŸŽœȱŠ—ȱ —Ž›—Š’˜—Š•ȱ —ŸŽœ˜›œȱ
Intracompany transferees who are executive, managerial, and have specialized knowledge and
who are continuing employment with an international firm or corporation are admitted on the L
visas. Aliens who are treaty traders enter as E-1 while those who are treaty investors use E-2
visas.7
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ˜›”Ž›œȱ
The major nonimmigrant category for temporary workers is the H visa. Professional specialty
workers (H-1B), nurses (H-1C) agricultural workers (H-2A) and unskilled temporary workers (H-
2B) are included.8 Persons with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or
athletics are admitted on O visas, while internationally recognized athletes or members of an
internationally recognized entertainment group come on P visas. Aliens working in religious
vocations enter on R visas. Temporary professional workers from Canada and Mexico may enter
according to terms set by the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on TN visas.
ž•ž›Š•ȱ¡Œ‘Š—Žȱ
The broadest category for cultural exchange is the J visa. The J visa includes professors and
research scholars, students, foreign medical graduates, teachers, camp counselors and au pairs
who are participating in an approved exchange visitor program. Participants in special
international cultural exchange programs from the former Soviet Union and Eastern bloc
countries enter on Q-1 visas. Q-2 visas are for Irish young adults from the border counties who
participate in approved cultural exchange programs.
˜›Ž’—ȱžŽ—œȱ
The most common visa for foreign students is the F-1 visa. It is tailored for international students
pursuing a full-time academic education. Those students who wish to pursue a non-academic
(e.g., vocational) course of study apply for an M visa. Foreign students are just one of many types
of aliens who may enter the United States on a J-1 visa for cultural exchange.9
Š–’•¢ȬŽ•ŠŽȱ
Fiances and fiancees of U.S. citizens come in on K visas. The 106th Congress added a transitional
nonimmigrant visa—the V visa—for immediate relatives (spouse and children) of LPRs who
have had petitions to also become LPRs pending for three years.

7 See CRS Report RL33844, Foreign Investor Visas: Policies and Issues, by Chad C. Haddal, and CRS Report
RL32030, Immigration Policy for Intracompany Transfers (L Visa): Issues and Legislation, by Ruth Ellen Wasem.
8 See CRS Report RL30498, Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers,
hereafter cited as Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers, and CRS
Report RL32044, Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs, by Andorra Bruno,
hereafter cited as Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs.
9 For further discussion and analysis, see CRS Report RL31146, Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and
Legislation
, by Chad C. Haddal, hereafter cited as Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
řȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Š ȱ—˜›ŒŽ–Ž—ȬŽ•ŠŽȱ
The law enforcement-related visas are among the most recently created. The S visa is used by
informants in criminal and terrorist investigations.10 Victims of human trafficking who participate
in the prosecution of those responsible may get a T visa. Victims of other criminal activities,
notably domestic abuse, who cooperate with the prosecution are eligible for the U visa.
•’Ž—œȱ’—ȱ›Š—œ’ȱŠ—ȱ›Ž ȱŽ–‹Ž›œȱ
Two miscellaneous nonimmigrant categories are some of the earliest nonimmigrant categories
enacted. The C visa is for aliens traveling through the United States en route to another
destination, and the D visa is for alien crew members on vessels or aircraft.
¡Œ•žœ’˜—ȱŠ—ȱŽ–˜ŸŠ•ȱ
—Š–’œœ’‹’•’¢ȱ
Both DOS consular officers (when the alien is petitioning abroad) and DHS inspectors (when the
alien is entering the United States) must confirm that the alien is not ineligible for a visa under the
so-called “grounds for inadmissibility” of the INA.11 These criteria categories are:
• health-related grounds;
• criminal history;
• security and terrorist concerns;
• public charge (e.g., indigence);
• seeking to work without proper labor certification;
• illegal entrants and immigration law violations;
• lacking proper documents;
• ineligible for citizenship; and
• aliens previously removed.12
The law provides waiver authority of these grounds (except for most of the security and terrorist-
related grounds) for nonimmigrants on a case-by-case basis.13

10 For more information, see CRS Report RS21043, Immigration: S Visas for Criminal and Terrorist Informants, by
Karma Ester.
11 §212(b) of INA.
12 For a fuller analysis, see CRS Report RL32480, Immigration Consequences of Criminal Activity, by Yule Kim and
Michael John Garcia; and CRS Report RL32564, Immigration: Terrorist Grounds for Exclusion and Removal of
Aliens
, by Michael John Garcia and Ruth Ellen Wasem.
13 §212(d)(3) and (4) of INA.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Śȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Ž›–’—Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱŠžœȱ
Consistent with the grounds of inadmissibility, the legal status of a nonimmigrant in the United
States may be terminated based upon the nonimmigrant’s behavior in the United States.
Specifically, the regulations list national security, public safety and diplomatic reasons for
termination. If a nonimmigrant who is not authorized to work does so, that employment
constitutes a failure to maintain a lawful status. A crime of violence that has a sentence of more
than one year also terminates nonimmigrant status.14
Ž›’˜œȱ˜ȱ–’œœ’˜—ȱ
Ž—‘ȱ˜ȱŠ¢ȱ
Congress has enacted amendments and the executive branch has promulgated regulations
governing areas such as the length and extensions of stay. For example, A-1 ambassadors are
allowed to remain in the United States for the duration of their service, F-1 students to complete
their studies, R-1 religious workers for up to three years, and D crew members for 29 days. Many
categories of nonimmigrants are required to have a residence in their home country that they
intend to return to as a stipulation of obtaining the visa. The law actually requires J-1 cultural
exchange visa holders to go home for two years prior to returning to the United States (with some
exceptions).
ž›Š’˜—ȱ˜ȱ’œŠȱ
Separate from the length of stay authorized for the various nonimmigrant visas is the validity
period of the visa issued by DOS consular officers. These time periods are negotiated country-by-
country and category-by-category, generally reflecting reciprocal relationships for U.S. travelers
to these countries. For example, a B-1 and B-2 visitor visa from Germany is valid for 10 years
while B-1 and B-2 visas from Indonesia are valid for five years. The D crew member visa is valid
for five years for Egyptians, but only one year for Hungarians.
–™•˜¢–Ž—ȱž‘˜›’£Š’˜—ȱ
Ž›–’œœ’˜—ȱ˜ȱ˜›”ȱ
With the obvious exception of the nonimmigrants who are temporary workers or the executives of
multinational corporations, most nonimmigrants are not allowed to work in the United States.
Exceptions to this policy are noted in Table 2, which follows at the end of this report. As stated
above, working without authorization is a violation of law and results in loss of nonimmigrant
status.

14 §214.1 of 8 CFR.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
śȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Š‹˜›ȱŠ›”ŽȱŽœœȱ
The H-2 visas require that employers conduct an affirmative search for available U.S. workers
and that the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) determine that admitting alien workers will not
adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed U.S. workers. Under
this process—known as labor certification—employers must apply to the DOL for certification
that unemployed domestic workers are not available and that there will not be an adverse effect
from the alien workers’ entry.
The labor market test required for H-1 workers, known as labor attestation, is less stringent than
labor certification. Any employer wishing to bring in an H-1B nonimmigrant must attest in an
application to the DOL that the employer will pay the nonimmigrant the greater of the actual
compensation paid to other employees in the same job or the prevailing compensation for that
occupation; the employer will provide working conditions for the nonimmigrant that do not cause
the working conditions of the other employees to be adversely affected; and, there is no strike or
lockout. Employers recruiting H-1C nurses must attest that their employment will not adversely
affect the wages and working conditions of similarly employed registered nurses; H-1C nurses
will be paid the wage rate paid by the facility to similarly employed U.S. registered nurses; the
facility is taking significant steps to recruit and retain sufficient U.S. registered nurses; and the
facility is abiding by specified anti-strike and layoff protections.15
Š’œ’ŒŠ•ȱ›Ž—œȱ
In the United States, data are collected on visa issuance and alien admission, both of which have
strengths and shortcomings. While the number of visas issued shows the potential number of
foreign nationals who may seek admission to the United States, alien admissions depict the actual
number of foreign nationals who were permitted entry into the United States. The admissions
data, however, simply enumerate port of entry inspections, thus counting frequent travelers
multiple times. The lack of an exit registration system in the United States makes an actual count
of out-migration impossible.16 Thus, the level of net migration of nonimmigrants (or the exact
number of nonimmigrants in the United States at a given time) is unknown. The subsequent
sections presents both admissions and issuance data for analysis of nonimmigrants by geographic
region and by category.
˜—’––’›Š—œȱ‹¢ȱŽ’˜—ȱ
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ’œŠœȱ œœžŽȱ
As Figure 1 shows, there was a larger percentage of visas issued to foreign nationals from Asia
than to any other region, accounting for 39.8% of the roughly 6.6 million nonimmigrant visas the

15 For a more complete analysis, see CRS Report RL33977, Immigration of Foreign Workers: Labor Market Tests and
Protections
, by Ruth Ellen Wasem.
16 The law actually requires that all aliens be recorded into the entry-exit system, but the current system—US-VISIT—
records only entry into the United States. For background on US-VISIT and the provisions requiring exit data, see CRS
Report RL32234, U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program, by Lisa M. Seghetti
and Stephen R. Vina, hereafter cited as U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT).
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Ŝȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
DOS issued in FY2008. North American nonimmigrants (which included nationals of countries in
Central America and the Caribbean) accounted for the next largest group of visa issuances at
21.3%, or approximately 1.4 million individuals. Europe and South America accounted for the
third and fourth largest groups with roughly 16.7% of the nonimmigrant visa issuances,
respectively. Africa tallied 4.7% of the visas, while visa issuances for Oceania accounted for 0.8%
of the total visa issuances in FY2008.
Figure 1. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Region, FY2008
Oceania
Africa
0.8%
4.7%
South America
16.7%
Asia
39.8%
North America
21.3%
Europe
16.7%

Source: CRS presentation of DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs data.
Note: N=6,599,679. Total does not include 3,394 visas issued with chargeability listed as “unknown.”
When analyzing the longitudinal data for visa issuances as depicted in Figure 2 below, the
number of visas issued by DOS in FY2008 was above the issuance level of the late-1990s.
However, the issuance level is 12.8% lower than the highest levels of the past decade. Visa
issuances have declined from their FY2001 peak of 7.6 million visas to the FY2008 level of 6.6
million visas issued. Many attribute this decline to more stringent criteria for visa issuances and a
greater burden of qualification placed upon the nonimmigrant visa applicant that have resulted
from security concerns after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŝȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 2. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Region, FY1998-FY2008
Asia
North America
Europe
South America
Africa
Oceania
Millions
8
7
6
5
ed
ssu 4
s I
sa
Vi
3
2
1
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs data.
Notes: In FY1998, there were 23,387 visas issued to individuals with no nationality. In FY2008, there were 3,394
visas issued to this same category of applicants. The number of visas issued to individuals with no nationality
decreased trended downward over the course of the past decade.
The decline in these levels was largely due to the reduction of North American visas issued, as its
levels in FY2006 constitute half of its levels in FY2001. The growth in the late 1990s has been
largely attributable to two time-limited policies—the upgrade from border crossing cards to laser
visas for residents of Mexico17 and the increased ceiling on temporary foreign worker visas.18
Visa issuance levels for other regions remained approximately the same as they were in FY2001.
The only other notable changes in the longitudinal data for the given time span were a slight
decrease in visas for European nationals, a slight increase in visas for Asian nationals, and a
decrease in the visas granted to nationals from countries in the Oceanic region.
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
The alternative method of measuring temporary migrations to the United States is with the
nonimmigrant admissions data, and it comes with two important caveats. First, nonimmigrants

17 Section 104 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 added to the definition of
“border crossing identification card” a requirement that the regulations pertaining to the BCC include a requirement for
the BCC to contain a machine-readable biometric identifier.
18 Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers; and Immigration: Policy
Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs
.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
Şȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
are required to fill out I-94 forms19 for entry into the United States, and these I-94 entries
constitute a total of approximately 37.1 million admissions in FY2007. Mexican nationals with
Border Crossing Cards and Canadian nationals traveling for business or tourist purposes are not
counted in these admission totals. These two latter groups accounted for the vast majority of
admissions to the United States in FY2007, with approximately 134.3 million admissions.20 Thus,
the total number of admissions to the United States in FY2007 was approximately 171.4 million.
Second, as previously mentioned, these data are tallies of admissions and not of individuals.
Since many individuals depart and re-enter the United States during the same year, individuals
may have multiple admissions in the DHS admissions data.
Figure 3. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Region, FY2007
North America
26.8%
Oceania
2.9%
South America
7.4%
Unknown
0.4%
Africa
1.1%
Europe
Asia
37.8%
23.5%

Source: CRS presentation of DHS Office of Immigration Statistics data.
Note: N=37,149,651.
Figure 3 shows the plurality of foreign nationals admitted into the United States in FY2007 were
nationals of European states, which represented 37.8% of admissions. The second largest
category of admitted individuals were foreign nationals from North American countries, with
26.8% of the admissions total. Foreign nationals from Asian countries, which constituted the
largest visa issuance category, were the third-largest regional admission group and accounted for
23.5% of admissions into the United States—a discrepancy most likely attributable to the higher

19 A Form I-94 is an Arrival-Departure Record issued by CBP at a port of entry that shows the date you arrived in the
United States and the “Admitted Until” date, the date when your authorized period of stay expires.
20 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, Temporary Admissions of Nonimmigrants
to the United States: 2006
, July 2007, pp. 1-2.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
şȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
number of visa waiver countries in Europe. These Asian admissions constituted 8.7 million
entries into the United States, while by comparison the European entries accounted for 14.0
million admissions. The fact that 24 of the 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program
were European,21 in conjunction with the majority of all admissions being visitors, a plurality of
European admissions was to be expected. South American entries accounted for 7.4% of FY2007
entries, or approximately 2.8 million persons, while the remaining categories of nationals from
African and Oceanic regions (and individuals of “unknown” classification) constituted 1.6 million
persons with 4.4% of the admissions total.
Figure 4. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Region, FY1998-FY2007
Europe
North America
Asia
South America
Oceania
Africa
Unknown
Millions
40
35
30
25
s
n
o

20
issi
Adm 15
10
5
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DHS Office of Immigration Statistics data.
Figure 4 depicts the nonimmigrant admissions into the United States between FY1998-FY2007.
The admissions data provided two periods of upward movement that increased the number of
admissions of nonimmigrants by approximately 23.1% over the course of nine years. In FY1998,
the number of nonimmigrants admitted at a U.S. port of entry was approximately 30.2 million,
but by FY2007 this number had increased to 37.1 million admissions. The most significant
sources of the trend were increasing numbers of nonimmigrants from the European and North
American region. Whereas other regions witnessed lesser increases in their admission levels, the
North American-based increased from 5.5 million in FY1998 to 10.0 million in FY2007, an
increase of 4.5 million nonimmigrants.22 Furthermore, the European-based admissions

21 The exceptions being Singapore, Japan, and Brunei.
22 Although this increase in North American-based nonimmigrant admissions was partly attributable to the new rule
structure under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), it is worth noting that the more significant
(continued...)
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŖȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
nonimmigrant admissions increased from a level of 12.1 million in FY1998 to 14.0 million in
FY2007. This change constituted an increase of roughly 1.9 million annual admissions or a
percentage increase of 16.2% over the course of the past nine years.
Finally, the admission levels of nationals from North American countries was largely unchanged
following the September 11 attacks, as Figure 4 shows. This finding not only contrasted the visa
issuances in Figure 2, but the admissions levels of nationals based out of other regions. Every
other region experienced some reduction of admissions of their nationals in FY2002, but
recovered to near FY2001 levels in FY2006.
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ’œ’˜›œȱ‹¢ȱŠŽ˜›¢ȱ
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
An alternative way of analyzing nonimmigrant data is to group nonimmigrants by visa category.
Figure 5 below shows that for FY2007, 88.6% of the foreign nationals admitted into the United
States were classified into the visitor categories of visas (including the “Visa Waiver Program”
and “other business and travel”). This figure depicts roughly 37.1 million persons admitted at
various ports of entry in FY2007. The only other category of admissions which constituted more
than 5% of the admissions total were those of temporary workers, which when combined
accounted for 5.2% of admissions, or approximately 1.9 million temporary worker admissions.
Students and exchange admissions was the third largest category with 1.3 million arrivals, and
accounted for 3.6% of the total. The remaining categories of nonimmigrant admissions
cumulatively represented 2.7% of foreign nationals admitted. Thus, foreign nationals categorized
into any remaining categories (including unknown category) accounted for roughly 982,000
admissions into the United States.

(...continued)
upward trends in North American-based admissions occurred in the late 1990s, several years after NAFTA’s
implementation. For more information, see CRS Report RL32982, Immigration Issues in Trade Agreements, by Ruth
Ellen Wasem.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŗȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 5. Nonimmigrant Admissions by Category, FY2007
Students and
Exchange Visitors
3.6%
Other
Temporary Workers
43.1%
and Families
5.2%
Diplomats and Other
Representatives
0.8%
All Other Classes
1.3%
Unknown
0.6%
Visa Waiver
45.5%

Source: CRS presentation of DHS Office of Immigration Statistics data.
Note: N=37,149,651.
The data on temporary visitors are the dominant category in both the admissions and issuance
data. Thus, to more effectively analyze trends over time, the temporary visitors category is
analyzed separately from other categories. As Figure 6 illustrates, the largest absolute growth of
nonimmigrants other than visitors has come in the category of temporary workers. In FY2007,
temporary workers accounted for 1,932,075 admissions into the United States (excluding
admissions on laser visas), which constitutes a 91.2% increase over FY1998. Notably, admissions
of foreign students in FY2007 surpasseed FY2001 levels, and the growth rate for FY2005-
FY2007 paralleled the trend for FY1998-FY2001. The number of admissions for students,
exchange visitors, and their families in FY2007 was 1,331,269. The other notable development
since FY2001 has been the recent decline of admissions classified as unknown or that qualify for
admission through the LIFE Act visa categories.23 After peaking in FY2003 with 109,089
admissions, LIFE Act admissions have declined to 76,101 admissions in FY2007, a drop of
30.2%. Moreover, admissions classified as unknown dropped from a 10-year high of 588,725 in
FY2001 to 205,372 in FY2007, a decline of 65.1%.

23 The Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act of 2000 (Title XI of P.L. 106-553) provides for the K and V
nonimmigrant visa categories. These categories are set aside for fiancees (K-1) and children of fiancees (K-2) of U.S.
citizens, spouses (K-3) and children of spouses (K-4) of U.S. citizens with visas pending, and spouses(V-1),
children(V-2), and dependents (V-3) of legal permanent residents with visas pending.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŘȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 6. Admissions of Nonimmigrants Other Than Visitors, FY1998-FY2007
Temporary Workers
Students & Exchange
Transit Aliens
Diplomats and Representatives
LIFE Act
Unknown
Millions
5
4
3
ions
iss
m
d
A
2
1
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DHS Office of Immigration Statistics data.
Note: Laser visas are not included in the data depicted.
Analysis of admissions data for nonimmigrant temporary visitors in Figure 7 reveals that a large
majority of such nonimmigrants are admitted for tourism (or “pleasure”) purposes. In FY2007, of
the roughly 32.9 million nonimmigrant temporary visitors, 83.5%, or nearly 27.5 million,
constituted tourists. Within this group, 13.5 million came on regular visa waiver travel, 928,000
came on Guam visa waivers, and 13.1 million were admitted on B-2 visas. The overall proportion
of tourists to business travelers has increased since FY1998. Moreover, there has been a small
shift within the tourist category. Whereas 40.4% of FY1998 tourist admissions were on B-2 visas,
the corresponding measure for FY2007 was 47.6%. As for temporary visitors for business, this
group accounted for 5.4 million admissions in FY2007, or roughly 16.5% of the nonimmigrant
temporary visitors. Among the temporary business visitors in FY2007, over 2.9 million entered
on B-1 visas, roughly 2.5 million were admitted on general visa waivers, and 3,994 business visa
waivers from Guam. Since FY1998, temporary business admissions have grown by 23.6%.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗřȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 7. Admissions of Nonimmigrant Visitors, FY1998-FY2007
B-1 Business Visas
Visa Waiver Business
B-2 Pleasure Visas
Visa Waiver Pleasure
Millions
35
30
25
s
n
20
o
issi
15
Adm
10
5
0
1998
1999
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DHS Office of Immigration Statistics data.
Note: Category data for nonimmigrant visitors was not available for FY2000-FY2001.
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ’œŠœȱ œœžŽȱ
Breaking down the visa issuance data for FY2008, Figure 8 demonstrates that 71.1% of the visas
issued for entry into the United States was to individuals entering on visitor visas. Consequently,
the volume of visitors visa was at a rate 6.1 times higher than the next largest category. The
subsequent two largest categories of issuances in FY2008 were for student and exchange visitor
visas, which accounted for 11.6% of visas issued, and temporary workers, which represented
9.9% of issuances. Additionally, the visas issued for crew members and others in transit
accounted for 4.4% of the visa issuances for FY2008. The remaining visas issued constituted
3.0% of the total.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŚȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 8. Nonimmigrant Visas Issued by Category, FY2008
All Other Classes
0.7%
Crew & Transit
4.4%
Diplomats &
Representatives
2.3%
Temporary Workers
9.9%
Visitors
71.1%
Students &
Exchange
11.6%

Source: CRS presentation of DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs data.
Note: N=6,603,073.
The graphical depiction of visas issued to nonimmigrants other than temporary visitors provided
in Figure 9, below, shows the large representation of students and exchange visitors, as well as
temporary workers, within issuance categories. Each of these issuance categories has grown
between FY2002 and FY2008, with the student category increasing by 40.2% and the temporary
worker category increasing by 27.1%.24 The FY2008 level of the former category was 767,266,
while the level of the latter category was 655,854. An additional category that experienced a
growth in issuance during FY2002-FY2008 was that of crew and transit personnel, which
increased by 27.1% during that time period and had an FY2008 level of 289,367 visas issued. Yet,
the FY2008 level is 13.9% lower than the five-year peak of 336,005 visas issued in FY2004. The
category of diplomats and representatives saw an issuance increase of 21.5% between FY2002
and FY2008, and the FY2008 level of 149,266 is highest level during this time period. The
remaining category of other classes witnessed a steady decline in its issuance during the seven-
year period, with a decline of 53.1% from the FY2002 level of 96,460 to the FY2008 level of
45,202. Cumulatively, all the categories of visas other than temporary visitors accounted for
28.9% of the visas issued in FY2008.

24 Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation; Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant
Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers
; and Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗśȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 9. Visas Issued to Nonimmigrants Other Than Visitors, FY2002-FY2008
Students & Exchange
Temporary Workers
Diplomats & Representatives
Crew & Transit
All Other Classes
Millions
2.5
2
1.5
ed
ssu
as I
s

1
Vi
0.5
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs data.
Note: In FY1998, there were 23,387 visas issued to individuals with no nationality. In FY2008, there were 3,394
visas issued to this same category of applicants. The number of visas issued to individuals with no nationality
decreased trended downward over the course of the past decade.
Finally, as depicted in Figure 10, below, the visas issued to nonimmigrant visitors constitute a
large majority of visas issued, cumulatively accounting for 71.1% of the total FY2008 visa
issuances. Although visa issuances to temporary visitors have grown every year since FY2003,
and have surpassed the FY2002 levels. From FY2003 to FY2008, the visa issuance to this
category increased by 39.1% to roughly 4.7 million. The issuance of combination B-1/B-2 and
Border Crossing Cards (BBCs) dropped markedly over the seven-year period, down by 75.3%
from FY2002 when the demand for laser visa BCCs peaked. During the same time period, the
issuance of B-1/B-2 visas for business and pleasure increased by 38.0% to the FY2008 level of
3,490,013. This subcategory of the visitor visa category represented 74.3% of all FY2008 visas
issued to nonimmigrant visitors. By contrast, the smallest visitor issuance category of B-1
business visitor visas represented only a fraction of this proportion, with an issuance level of
47,899 in FY2008 , representing a 36.7% drop over the given time period. And while the FY2008
visa issuance level of 407,723 for B-2 tourist visas was 8.5 times higher than it business
counterpart, the B-1 and B-2 combined accounted for 9.7% of the visitor issuance total. Like its
B-1 counterpart, the B-2 visa issuance experienced relatively little change in this time period
compared with the other subcategories. Finally, the combination B1/B2 and Mexican Lincoln (B-
1/B-2/BCV) visa accounted for 404,589 visas issued, or approximately 8.6% of the nonimmigrant
visitor total.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŜȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Figure 10. Visas Issued to Nonimmigrant Visitors, FY2002-FY2008
B1
B2
B1/B2
B1/B2/BCC
B-1/B-2/BCV
Millions
5
4
3
ed
ssu
s I
sa
2
Vi
1
0
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
Year

Source: CRS presentation of DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs data.
ž››Ž—ȱ œœžŽœȱ
Achieving an optimal balance among major policy priorities, such as ensuring national security,
facilitating trade and commerce, protecting public health and safety, and fostering international
cooperation, remains a challenge. Efforts to establish a comprehensive automated system that
tracks the arrival and departure of nonimmigrants (US-VISIT) is well underway but remains
incomplete.25 Requirements for individuals entering into the United States (including U.S.
citizens and visitors from Canada and other Western Hemisphere countries) to bear passports or
other documents sufficient to denote citizenship and identity are now going into effect. All the
while, legislative revisions to specific temporary visa categories continue to arise incrementally.26
This section of the report highlights several of the specific temporary visa concerns that are of
legislative interest to Congress: temporary workers, foreign medical graduates, foreign investors,
and foreign students.

25 U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) Program.
26 Immigration Legislation and Issues in the 110th Congress.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŝȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ˜›”Ž›œȱ
Ž–™˜›Š›¢ȱ”’••ŽȱŠ—ȱ›˜Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱ˜›”Ž›œŘŝȱ
Many business people have expressed concern that a scarcity of labor in certain sectors may
curtail the pace of economic growth. A leading legislative response to skills mismatches and labor
shortages has been to increase the supply of temporary foreign workers. Proponents of raising the
H-1B levels assert that H-1B workers are essential if the United States is to remain globally
competitive. Some proponents argue that employers should be free to hire the best people for the
jobs, maintaining that market forces should regulate H-1B visas, not an arbitrary ceiling.
Those opposing any further increases or easing of admissions requirements assert that there is no
compelling evidence of a labor shortage in these professional areas that cannot be met by newly
graduating students and retraining the existing U.S. work force. They argue further that the
education of U.S. students and training of U.S. workers should be prioritized instead of fostering
a reliance on foreign workers.
žŽœȱ˜›”Ž›œŘŞȱ
There is ongoing pressure to increase unskilled temporary foreign workers, commonly referred to
as guest workers. The admission of H-2B visas are numerically limited, and the ceiling has been
exceeded the past few years as more sectors of the economy vie for the visas. The current
discussion of guest worker programs takes place against a backdrop of historically high levels of
unauthorized migration to the United States. Supporters of a large-scale temporary worker
program argue that such a program would help reduce unauthorized immigration by providing a
legal alternative for prospective foreign workers.
Critics reject this reasoning and instead maintain that a new guest worker program would likely
exacerbate the problem of illegal migration. Some allege that employers prefer guest workers
because they are less demanding in terms of wages and working conditions, and that expanding
guest worker visas would have a deleterious effect on U.S. workers.
˜›Ž’—ȱŽ’ŒŠ•ȱ ›ŠžŠŽœŘşȱ
The J cultural exchange visa has become a gateway for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) to gain
admission to the United States as nonimmigrants for the purpose of graduate medical education
and training. As exchange visitors, FMGs can remain in the United States on a J visa until the
completion of their training, typically for a maximum of seven years. After that time, they are
required to return home for at least two years before they can apply to change to another
nonimmigrant status or LPR status.

27 Immigration: Legislative Issues on Nonimmigrant Professional Specialty (H-1B) Workers.
28 Immigration: Policy Considerations Related to Guest Worker Programs.
29 CRS Report RL31460, Immigration: Foreign Physicians and the J-1 Visa Waiver Program, by Karma Ester, and
CRS Report RS22584, Foreign Medical Graduates: A Brief Overview of the J-1 Visa Waiver Program, by Karma
Ester.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗŞȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
The authority to issue a waiver of the foreign residence requirement to a FMG based on the
request of a state public health department currently applies to J-visa holders. More specifically,
these J-visa holders do not have to leave the United States at the conclusion of their residencies if
they agree to practice medicine for three years in an area designated by the Secretary of Health
and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals.
The original intent underlying the foreign residency requirement for FMG is to encourage
American-trained foreign doctors to return home to improve health conditions and advance the
medical profession in their native countries. Some now argue that the J-1 visa waiver for FMGs
should be made permanent or extended for a number of years to allow an evaluation of the use of
foreign physicians to meet healthcare shortages and their impact on American physicians.
˜›Ž’—ȱ —ŸŽœ˜›œřŖȱ
There are currently two categories of nonimmigrant investor visas: E-1 for treaty traders; and the
E-2 for treaty investors. According to DHS statistics, there were 229,642 E-1 and E-2
nonimmigrant visa arrivals in the United States in FY2008.31
The investor visas offered by the United States operate on the principal that foreign direct
investment into the United States should spur economic growth in the United States. To attract
such investors, research indicates that temporary migrants are motivated most significantly by
employment and wage prospects, while permanent migrants are motivated by professional and
social mobility.32 It is unclear from a theoretical standpoint, however, to what extent potential
migration provides additional incentive for investment activity. Investors from developed
countries may sometimes lack incentive to settle in the United States since they can achieve
foreign direct investment (FDI) and similar standards of living from their home country.
However, in cases where foreign investors have been attracted, the economic benefits have been
positive and significant.33
˜›Ž’—ȱžŽ—œřŚȱ
In the wake of post-September 11 security reforms, the security concerns over foreign student
visas are being weighed against competitiveness concerns. Potential foreign students, as well as
all aliens, must satisfy Department of State (DOS) consular officers abroad and immigration
inspectors upon entry to the United States that they are not ineligible for visas under the so-called
“grounds for inadmissibility” of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which include security and
terrorist concerns. The consular officers who process visa applicants are required to check the
consolidated Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB) before issuing any visa. In part because of
these security measures, student visa debates have expanded to include both security and market-
based discussions.

30 CRS Report RL33844, Foreign Investor Visas: Policies and Issues, by Chad C. Haddal.
31 U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Immigration Statistics, 2006 Yearbook of Immigration Statistics.
32 Theodora Xenogiani, “Migration Policy and Its Interactions with Aid, Trade and Foreign Direct Investment Policies:
A Background Paper,” OECD Development Centre, Working Paper No. 249, June, 2006, p. 31-33.
33 Based on CRS discussions with Morrie Berez, Chief Adjudications Officer, USCIS Investor and Regional Center
Program, November 20, 2006.
34 Foreign Students in the United States: Policies and Legislation.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŗşȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ
Higher education institutions in the United States are concerned over their ability to attract the
numbers and quality of foreign students, and whether the post-September 11 security measures
impede the entry of potential students into the U.S. education system. The fields of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) increasingly rely on foreign students, and
these fields hold a top priority with most research institutions. Furthermore, the U.S. economy has
a high demand for the skill-sets produced in these fields of study, and the STEM students often
provide a major link between the academic community and the labor market. Consequently, many
groups in higher education and the private sector are seeking to expand pathways for foreign
students to emigrate.
—˜›Œ’—ȱž››Ž—ȱŠ ȱ
The law and regulations set terms for nonimmigrant lengths of stay in the United States, typically
have foreign residency requirements, and often limit what the aliens are permitted to do in the
United States (e.g., gain employment or enroll in school). Many observers, however, assert that
these policies are not uniformly or rigorously enforced. Some maintain that further legislation is
not necessary if the laws currently in place are enforced.
The two tables that follow, among other things, illustrate the complexity and diversity of policy
on temporary admissions, and the challenge for policy makers who may seek to revise it. Table 1
indicates whether the INA or regulations set any limits or requirements on how long
nonimmigrants may stay in the United States and whether they must maintain a residence in their
home country for each of the 87 visa classifications. Table 2 details whether there are any labor
market tests or any limits on the numbers of aliens who can enter the United States according to
each of the 87 visa classifications. Table 2 also presents DOS data on the number of
nonimmigrant visas issued in FY2008. When a cell in the table is blank, it means the law and
regulations are silent on the subject
.
˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
ŘŖȱ

ȱ
Table 1. Periods of Stay and Foreign Residency Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visas
Foreign
Visa
Class Description
Period of Stay
Renewal Option
Residence
Required
A-1
Ambassador, public minister, career diplomat, consul, and immediate family
Duration of assignment


A-2
Other foreign government official or employee, and immediate family
Duration of assignment


A-3
Attendant, servant or personal employee of A-1/A-2, and immediate family
Up to three years
Up to two years intervals

B-1
Visitor for business
Up to one year
Up to six months
Yes
B-2
Visitor for pleasure
Six months to one year
Up to six months
Yes
B-1/B-2 Business and pleasure
Six months to one year
Up to six months
Yes
BCC
Border Crossing Cards
72 hours [unless coupled
Yes
with B-1 or B-2] proposed
extension to 30 days
BCV
Mexican Lincoln Border Crossing Visa
72 hours [unless coupled
Yes
with B-1 or B-2] proposed
extension to 30 days
C-1
Alien in transit
Up to 29 days


C-1/D
Transit/crew member
Up to 29 days


C-2
Person in transit to United Nations Headquarters
Up to 29 days


C-3
Foreign government official, immediate family, attendant, servant, or personal
Up to 29 days


employee in transit
D
Crew member
Up to 29 days


E-1
Treaty trader, spouse and child, and employee
Up to two years
Up to two years

E-2
Treaty investor, spouse and child, and employee
Same as E-1
Same as E-1

F-1
Foreign student (academic or language training program)
Period of study (one year
Yes
secondary students)
F-2
Spouse or child of F-1
Same as F-1


G-1
Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government to
Duration of assignment


international organization, staff, and immediate family
G-2
Other representative of recognized foreign member government to international
Duration of assignment


organization, staff, and immediate family
ȬŘŗȱ

ȱ
Foreign
Visa
Class Description
Period of Stay
Renewal Option
Residence
Required
G-3
Representative of non-recognized or nonmember foreign member government to Duration of assignment


international organization, staff, and immediate family
G-4
International organization officer or employee, and immediate family
Duration of assignment


G-5
Attendant, servant or personal employee of G-1 through G-4, and immediate
Up to two years
Up to two-year intervals

family
H-1A
Temporary worker—nurse (statutory authority expired)
Up to three years
Up to two-year intervals;

up to five years max
H-1B
Temporary worker—professional specialty occupation
Up to three years
Up to three-year

intervals; up to six years
max
H-1C
Temporary worker—nurse (new category)
Three years


H-2A
Temporary worker—agricultural workers
Up to one year
Up to one year;
Yes
three years total
H-2B
Temporary worker—non-agricultural workers
Up to one year
Up to one year;
Yes
three years total
H-3
Temporary worker—trainee
Up to two years


H-4
Spouse or child of H-1A/B/C, H-2A/B, or H-3
Same as Principal


I
Representative of foreign information media, spouse and child
Duration of employment


J-1
Cultural exchange visitor
Period of program

Yes
J-2
Spouse or child of J-1
Same as J-1

Yes
K-1
Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen
Valid for 4 month; must


marry within 90 days to
adjust status
K-2
Child of K-1
Same as K-1


K-3
Spouse of U.S. citizen awaiting LPR visa



K-4
Child of K-3



L-1
Intracompany transferee (Executive, managerial, and specialized knowledge
Up to three years
up to two-year extension:

personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation)
five years max; executives
seven years
ȬŘŘȱ

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Foreign
Visa
Class Description
Period of Stay
Renewal Option
Residence
Required
L-2
Spouse or child of L-1
Same as L-1


M-1
Vocational student
Duration of study

Yes
M-2
Spouse or child of M-1
Same as M-1

Yes
M-3
Border commuter vocational or nonacademic student
Same as M-1

Yes
NATO- Principal permanent representative of member nations to NATO, high ranking
Tour of duty


1
NATO officials, and immediate family members
NATO- Other representatives of member states to NATO (including any of its subsidiary
Tour of duty


2
bodies), and immediate family members; dependents of member of a force entering
in accordance with provisions of NATO agreements; members of such force if
issued visas
NATO- Official clerical staff accompanying a representative of a member state to NATO,
Tour of duty


3
and immediate family
NATO- Officials of NATO (other than those classifiable as NATO-1), and immediate family Tour of duty


4
NATO- Experts, other than NATO-4 officials, employed in missions on behalf of NATO,
Tour of duty


5
and their dependents
NATO- Civilian employees of a force entering in accordance with the provisions of NATO Tour of duty


6
agreements or attached to NATO headquarters, and immediate family
NATO- Attendants, servants, or personal employees of NATO-1 through NATO-6, and
Up to three years
Two-year intervals

7
immediate family
N-8
Parent of certain special immigrants (pertaining to international organizations)
Up to three years
Up to three-year intervals

until child becomes an
adult
N-9
Child of N-8 or of certain special immigrants (pertaining to international
Up to three years
Up to three-year intervals

organizations)
until child becomes an
adult
O-1
Person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or
Up to three years
Up to one year

athletics
O-2
Person accompanying and assisting in the artistic or athletic performance by O-1
Up to three years
Up to one year
Yes
O-3
Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2
Same as O-1 or O-2
Up to one year

ȬŘřȱ

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Foreign
Visa
Class Description
Period of Stay
Renewal Option
Residence
Required
P-1
Internationally recognized athlete or member of an internationally recognized
Up to five years individual
Yes
entertainment group and essential support
artist; up to one year group
or team
P-2
Artist or entertainer in a reciprocal exchange program and essential supports
Up to one year
One-year increments
Yes
P-3
Artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program and essential support
Up to one year
One-year increments
Yes
P-4
Spouse or child of P-1, P-2 or P-3
Same as P-1, P-2 or P-3
One year increments
Yes
Q-1
International cultural exchange program participant
Duration of program; up to


15 months
Q-2
Irish Peace Process Program participant
Duration of program; up to


three years
Q-3
Spouse or child of Q-2



R-1
Religious worker
up to three years
up to two-year intervals;

up to five years max
R-2
Spouse or child of R-1
same as R-1
same a R-1

S-5
Criminal informant
up to three years


S-6
Terrorist informant
up to three years


S-7
Spouse or child of S-5 and S-6
same as S-5 and S-6


T-1
Victim of human trafficking
If T-1 cooperates and is needed in prosecution of traffickers, may lead to
T-2
Immediate family of T-1
adjustment to legal permanent residence
T-3
Child of T-1
T-4
Parent of T-1
T-5
Unmarried sibling under 18 years of age on date T-1 applied
TN
NAFTA professional
one year
one year

TD
Spouse or child of TN
one year
one year

U-1
Victim or informant of criminal activity
May lead to adjustment to legal permanent residence if specified conditions are
U-2
Spouse or child of U-1
met.
V-1
Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) who has petition pending for three
Transitional nonimmigrant visa that leads to adjustment to legal permanent
years or longer
residence status when visa become available
ȬŘŚȱ

ȱ
Foreign
Visa
Class Description
Period of Stay
Renewal Option
Residence
Required
V-2
Child of LPR who has petition pending for three years or longer
V-3
Child of V-1 or V-2
Source: §101(a)(15), §212, and §214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and §214 of 8 CFR.
Note: When a cell in the table is blank, it means the law and regulations are silent on the subject.
Table 2. Employment Authorization, Numerical Limits, and FY2006 Issuances for Nonimmigrant Visas
Labor
Annual
FY2008
Visa
Class Description
Employment
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
A-1
Ambassador, public minister, career diplomat, consul, and immediate family Within scope of official

10,152
duties
A-2
Other foreign government official or employee, and immediate family
Within scope of official

86,181
duties
A-3
Attendant, servant or personal employee of A-1/A-2, and immediate family Within scope of official

1,000
duties
B-1
Visitor for business



47,899
B-2
Visitor for pleasure
No


407,723
B-1/B-2 Business
and
pleasure



3,490,013
B-1/B-
Combination B1/B2 and Border Crossing Cards



345,894
2/BCC
B-1/B-
Combination B1/B2 and Mexican Lincoln



404,589
2/BCV
BCC
Border Crossing Cards



0
C-1
Alien in transit



34,466
C-1/D Transit/crew
member



217,428
C-2
Person in transit to United Nations Headquarters



22
C-3
Foreign government official, immediate family, attendant, servant, or


12,745
personal employee in transit
ȬŘśȱ

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Labor
Visa Class
Description Employment
Annual
FY2008
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
D
Crew member of vessel or aircraft
Only as employee of

24,706
carrier
E-1
Treaty trader, spouse and child, and employee
Within the scope of

6,862
treaty conditions
E-2
Treaty investor, spouse and child, and employee
Within the scope of

28,588
treaty conditions
E-3
Australian specialty occupation professional
Within the scope of
10,500
2,961
treaty conditions
E-3D
Spouse or child of Australian specialty occupation professional



1,568
E-3R
Returning Australian specialty occupation professional
Within the scope of

114
treaty conditions
F-1
Foreign student (academic or language training program)
Off campus work is

340,711
restricted, with limited
exceptions
F-2
Spouse or child of F-1



23,193
F-3
Border commuter academic or language student
No


519
G-1
Principal resident representative of recognized foreign member government Within scope of official

5,105
to international organization, staff, and immediate family
duties
G-2
Other representative of recognized foreign member government to
Within scope of official

14,715
international organization, and immediate family
duties
G-3
Representative of nonrecognized or nonmember foreign government to
Within scope of official

341
international organization, and immediate family
duties
G-4
International organization officer or employee, and immediate family
Within scope of official

23,830
duties
G-5
Attendant, servant, or personal employee of G-1 through G-4, and
Within scope of official

973
immediate family
duties
H-1A
Temporary worker—nurse (statutory authority expired)
Yes
Yes

-
H-1B
Temporary worker—professional speciality occupation
Yes
Yes
65,000 (with certain
129,464
exceptions)
ȬŘŜȱ

ȱ
Labor
Visa Class
Description Employment
Annual
FY2008
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
H-1B-1
Free trade agreement professional

No
1,400 for Chile; 5,400
719
for Singapore
H-1C
Temporary worker—nurse
Yes
Yes
500
174
H-2A Temporary
worker—agricultural
worker
Yes
Yes

64,404
H-2B
Temporary worker—non-agricultural worker
Yes
Yes
66,000 (returning
93,250
workers had been
excepted)
H-2R
Returning H2B worker



1,054
H-3
Temporary worker—trainee
Yes, as part of the training
Some restrictions on
3,427
program
special education
exchange programs
H-4
Spouse or child of H-1A/B/C, H-2A/B, or H-3
No


71,019
I
Representative of foreign information media, spouse and child
Only as employee of

17,069
foreign media
J-1
Cultural exchange visitor
Yes, if program has work
359,447
component
J-2
Spouse or child of J-1
Only as approved by DHS

32,642
K-1
Fiancé(e) of U.S. citizen



30,288
K-2
Child of K-1



5,013
K-3
Spouse of U.S. citizen awaiting LPR visa



7,854
K-4
Child of K-3



1,856
L-1
Intracompany transferee (executive, managerial, and specialized knowledge
Yes

84,078
personnel continuing employment with international firm or corporation)
L-2
Spouse or child of L-1
No


71,683
M-1
Vocational student
Only practical training

10,475
related to degree
M-2
Spouse of child of M-1
No


278
M-3
Border commuter vocational or nonacademic student
Only practical training

1
related to degree
ȬŘŝȱ

ȱ
Labor
Visa Class
Description Employment
Annual
FY2008
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
NATO-1 Principal permanent representative of member nations to NATO, high
Within scope of official

11
ranking NATO officials, and immediate family
duties
NATO-2 Other representatives of member states to NATO (including any of its
Within scope of official

6,381
subsidiary bodies), and immediate family; dependents of member of a force duties
entering in accordance with provisions of NATO agreements; members of
such force if issued visas
NATO-3 Official clerical staff accompanying a representative of member state to
Within scope of official

2
NATO, and immediate family
duties
NATO-4 Officials of NATO (other than those classifiable as NATO-1), and
Within scope of official

358
immediate family
duties
NATO-5 Experts, other than NATO-4 officials, employed in missions on behalf of
Within scope of official

87
NATO, and their dependents
duties
NATO-6 Civilian employee of a force entering in accordance with the provisions of
Within scope of official

127
NATO agreements or attached to NATO headquarters, and their
duties
immediate family
NATO-7 Attendants, servants, or personal employees of NATO-1 through NATO-6, Within scope of official

3
and immediate family
duties
N-8
Parent of certain special immigrants (pertaining to international
Yes

8
organizations)
N-9
Child of N-8 or of certain special immigrants (pertaining to international
Yes

3
organizations)
O-1
Person with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business,
Yes

9,014
or athletics
O-2
Person accompanying and assisting in the artistic or athletic performance by Yes

5,051
O-1
O-3
Spouse or child of O-1 or O-2
Only as approved by DHS

2,642
P-1
Internationally recognized athlete or member of an internationally
Yes

27,240
recognized entertainment group and essential support
P-2
Artist or entertainer in a reciprocal exchange program and essential
Yes

135
support
P-3
Artist or entertainer in a culturally unique program and essential support
Yes


10,277
ȬŘŞȱ

ȱ
Labor
Visa Class
Description Employment
Annual
FY2008
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
P-4
Spouse or child of P-1, P-2, or P-3
Only as approved by DHS

1,140
Q-1
International cultural exchange program participant
Yes, with employer

2,443
approved by program
Q-2
Irish Peace Process Program participant
Yes, with employer

1
approved by program
Q-3
Spouse or child of Q-2
No


0
R-1 Religious
worker
Yes


10,061
R-2
Spouse or child of R-1
No


2,941
S-5 Criminal
informant
Yes

200
0
S-6 Terrorist
informant
Yes

50
0
S-7
Spouse or child of S-5 or S-6



0
T-1
Victim of human trafficking
Yes

5,000
0
T-2
Spouse of T-1
Yes


34
T-3
Child of T-1



132
T-4
Parent of T-1



5
T-5
Unmarried sibling under 18 years of age on date T-1 applied



8
TN NAFTA
professional
Yes


4,761
TD
Spouse or child of TN



3,715
U-1
Victim or informant of criminal activity
Yes

10,000
0
U-2
Spouse of U-1
Yes


0
U-3
Child of U-1



0
U-4
Parent of U-1



0
V-1
Spouse of Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) who has petition pending for
Yes

0
three years or longer
V-2
Child of LPR who has petition pending for three years or longer
Yes, assuming they meet

0
age requirements
ȬŘşȱ

ȱ
Labor
Visa Class
Description Employment
Annual
FY2008
Authorization
Market
Test
Numerical Limit
Issuances
V-3
Child of V-1 or V-2
Yes, assuming they meet

0
age requirements
Grand Total
6,603,073
Source: §101(a)(15), §212, and §214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and §214 of 8 CFR.
Note: When a cell in the table is blank, it means the law and regulations are silent on the subject.
ȬřŖȱ

ǯǯȱ ––’›Š’˜—ȱ˜•’Œ¢ȱ˜—ȱŽ–™˜›Š›¢ȱ–’œœ’˜—œȱ
ȱ


ž‘˜›ȱ˜—ŠŒȱ —˜›–Š’˜—ȱ

Chad C. Haddal
Ruth Ellen Wasem
Analyst in Immigration Policy
Specialist in Immigration Policy
chaddal@crs.loc.gov, 7-3701
rwasem@crs.loc.gov, 7-7342




˜—›Žœœ’˜—Š•ȱŽœŽŠ›Œ‘ȱŽ›Ÿ’ŒŽȱ
řŗȱ