Entry visas are issued overseas by the Department of State (DOS). DOS personnel in an overseas embassy or consular office evaluate an applicant’s request to travel to the U.S. and if they believe the applicant is eligible, they issue a visa for the particular purpose stated. The visa is frequently a small document with a photo which is carried in the visitor’s passport, or it may be a sticker or a stamp on one of the pages of the passport.
The validity dates of the visa represent the period approved for the visitor to seek entry to the U.S. and does not necessarily limit the actual length of stay. At the port of entry, the USCIS determines how long an individual may remain in the U.S. and this is indicated on the Form I-94.
Nonimmigrant visas are attached or stamped onto visitor’s passport indicating period of time visitor is eligible to request entry into the U.S. as a permanent resident.
Immigrant visas are on security paper which permits a foreign national to apply to USCIS for admission into the U.S. as a permanent resident.
The Visa Waiver Program permits citizens of participating countries (40 participating as of 2022) to enter the U.S. for 90 days or less without having a visa. These visitors are not allowed to accept employment or enroll in study in the U.S. and no extensions are granted. They may perform work as independent contractors. Instead of a visa, they are issued a Form I-94W.
WHAT MAKES IT VALID?
- Name matches passport
- Expired visa may be acceptable (check Form I-94 for dates the visitor is authorized to remain in the U.S.)
- A visa sticker or stamp in the passport that contains:
- Personal identification information (may include photo)
- Passport number
- Issue date (the earliest date the visitor can use the visa to travel to the U.S.)
- Expiration date (the last day the visitor can use the visa to travel to the U.S.)
- Visa classification
- Annotation of any restrictions
Information from an employee's Visa is populated in SAP infotype IT0048 / US01.
