US Visa Types at a Glance — Tourist, Student, Work, Investor

The US has dozens of visa categories split between nonimmigrant (temporary) and immigrant (permanent residency). Here's the essential overview Korean applicants need. Knowing your category first makes any immigration attorney consultation more efficient.

Short Visits — B-1/B-2, ESTA

B-2 tourist visa allows up to 6 months; B-1 is for business visits (meetings, contract negotiations). Korea participates in the Visa Waiver Program, so ESTA permits up to 90 days visa-free. ESTA costs $21, lasts 2 years, applied online.

Students — F-1, J-1, M-1

F-1 for degree programs, J-1 for exchange/internships, M-1 for vocational schools. F-1 graduates can use 12-month OPT plus 24-month STEM extension to transition into H-1B.

Work — H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN

• H-1B: Specialty occupation, bachelor+, April lottery, 65,000 cap + 20,000 master's exemption
• L-1: Multinational transfer (L-1A managers, L-1B specialized knowledge)
• O-1: Extraordinary ability — no lottery, proven by awards, publications, press
• TN: For Canadian/Mexican nationals (not for Koreans)

Investment — E-2, EB-5

E-2 treaty investor visa needs roughly $100K+ investment, renewable indefinitely. Note: not a path to green card. EB-5 requires $800K+ (targeted area) or $1.05M+ investment plus creating 10 full-time jobs—direct path to green card.

Family Immigration — IR/CR, F1-F4

Immediate relatives of US citizens (spouse, parent, child under 21) get IR/CR for immediate green card. Other categories (siblings, adult children) wait in F1-F4 queues. Korean F1/F3 waits are typically 8-14 years.

Each visa has distinct requirements, documents, timelines, and costs. Always consult a qualified immigration attorney for your specific situation—the wrong choice wastes both money and years.