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How the visa category is decided
The category follows the main purpose of the trip: tourism needs a visitor visa, study needs a student visa and work needs a category that permits employment. A B visitor visa cannot be used for study or work, because INA section 101(a)(15)(B) excludes anyone “coming for the purpose of study or of performing skilled or unskilled labor”.
INA section 214(b) (8 U.S.C. 1184(b)) and 22 CFR 41.11(a) presume every nonimmigrant applicant to be an intending immigrant until the applicant satisfies the consular officer that he or she qualifies for the category requested. The burden of proof is on the applicant. The statute excludes H-1B, L and V applicants from this presumption.
The 22 nonimmigrant classes in section 101(a)(15)
INA section 101(a)(15) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) divides temporary entrants into 22 classes lettered A to V. Each class is subdivided by number, for example B-1 for business, B-2 for tourism, F-1 for students and F-2 for their spouses and children.
| Class | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| A | Diplomats and accredited foreign government officials, their families and attendants |
| B | Temporary visitors for business or pleasure who keep a foreign residence they do not intend to abandon |
| C | Aliens in transit through the United States |
| D | Crew members of vessels or aircraft landing temporarily in the course of duty |
| E | Treaty traders and treaty investors, Australian specialty workers, and their families |
| F | Academic students at approved institutions and their families |
| G | Representatives of foreign governments to international organizations, their staff and families |
| H | Temporary workers in specialty occupations, agricultural and other temporary work, and trainees |
| I | Representatives of foreign media on a reciprocal basis and their families |
| J | Exchange visitors in designated programmes, such as scholars, teachers and researchers |
| K | Fiancé(e)s and spouses of US citizens and their minor children |
| L | Intracompany transferees in managerial, executive or specialised-knowledge roles, and their families |
| M | Vocational or other non-academic students and their families |
| N | Parents of certain special immigrants, and their children |
| O | Persons of extraordinary ability and their essential support personnel |
| P | Internationally recognised athletes and entertainers, reciprocal exchanges and culturally unique programmes |
| Q | Participants in approved international cultural exchange programmes |
| R | Religious workers who have been members of the denomination for at least two years |
| S | Witnesses and informants who provide critical information in criminal investigations |
| T | Victims of severe forms of human trafficking |
| U | Victims of qualifying crimes who help law enforcement |
| V | Spouses and children of permanent residents waiting on family petitions filed on or before 21 December 2000 |
Classes S, T, U and V are statuses granted through specific procedures inside the United States rather than visas an ordinary traveller applies for. Classes A and G are for government officials.
Maximum visa validity for Thai nationals
The State Department reciprocity schedule sets the maximum validity and number of entries for Thai nationals by class. No class in Thailand's schedule carries a reciprocity fee. The validity actually issued is decided by the consular officer and cannot exceed the schedule.
| Visa class | Used for | Entries | Maximum validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 | Short business trips and tourism | Multiple | 120 months |
| C-1/D | Crew members | Multiple | 60 months |
| E-1, E-2 | Treaty traders and investors | Multiple | 6 months |
| F-1 | Academic students | Multiple | 12 months |
| M-1 | Vocational students | Multiple | 60 months |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors | Multiple | 60 months |
| H-1B | Specialty occupations | Multiple | 12 months |
| H-2A, H-2B | Agricultural and other temporary work | Multiple | 60 months |
| L-1 | Intracompany transferees | Multiple | 12 months |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability | Multiple | 60 months |
| R-1 | Religious workers | Multiple | 12 months |
| I | Media representatives | Multiple | 6 months |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e)s of US citizens | One | 6 months |
Validity is the period during which the visa can be used to travel to a US port of entry, not the length of stay. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sets the length of each stay on arrival and records it on Form I-94.
Thailand and E-1/E-2 visas
E-1 (treaty trader) and E-2 (treaty investor) visas are issued only to nationals of countries that have a qualifying treaty with the United States. The State Department's treaty country list includes Thailand for both E-1 and E-2, with the treaty in force since 8 June 1968. Under the reciprocity schedule, E-1 and E-2 visas for Thai nationals are valid for up to 6 months with multiple entries.
Immigrant visas and the green card
Immigrant visas fall into four groups.
Immediate relatives of US citizens: spouses, children and parents of US citizens; for parents, the citizen must be at least 21. This group is “not subject to direct numerical limitations” under INA section 201(b) (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)), so there is no annual quota queue.
Family preferences under section 203(a) (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)): F1 unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (23,400), F2 spouses and children of permanent residents (114,200), F3 married sons and daughters of US citizens (23,400) and F4 brothers and sisters of adult US citizens aged 21 or over (65,000). These are statutory annual ceilings.
Employment-based under section 203(b) (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)): EB-1 extraordinary ability, outstanding professors and researchers, multinational executives; EB-2 advanced degrees or exceptional ability; EB-3 skilled workers, professionals and other workers; EB-4 special immigrants; and EB-5 investors creating at least 10 full-time jobs, with a minimum investment of USD 1,050,000, or USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area or infrastructure project. The statute adjusts these amounts for inflation every five years from 1 January 2027.
Diversity Visa under section 203(c) (8 U.S.C. 1153(c)) is a lottery for nationals of countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Eligible countries are listed in each programme year's instructions.
Family and employment preference applicants must wait until their priority date is current in the State Department's Visa Bulletin.
Choosing a category in practice
Three questions decide the category: what is the main purpose of the trip; will the stay be temporary or permanent; and is there a petitioner or sponsoring document on the US side, such as an employer, school, exchange programme sponsor or US citizen spouse. The answers determine the visa class, the documents and the order of every step.
Visa Connext assesses the category from each applicant's facts and prepares the application accordingly. See our US visa service.
Frequently asked questions
How many types of US visa are there?
There are 22 nonimmigrant classes lettered A to V in INA section 101(a)(15), and immigrant categories for immediate relatives of US citizens, four family preferences, five employment preferences and the Diversity Visa.
Source: 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15) · 8 U.S.C. 1153
What is the difference between B-1 and B-2?
B-1 is for temporary business travel and B-2 for temporary travel for pleasure; both are in INA section 101(a)(15)(B). Thailand's reciprocity schedule includes a combined B-1/B-2 class valid for up to 120 months with multiple entries.
Source: 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(B) · Thailand Reciprocity Schedule
Is every US visa valid for 10 years?
No. Under Thailand's reciprocity schedule, 120 months (10 years) applies to B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2. Other classes differ: F-1 and H-1B 12 months, J-1 and M-1 60 months, E-1 and E-2 6 months.
Source: Thailand Reciprocity Schedule
How many types of US work visa are there?
Work-related nonimmigrant classes in section 101(a)(15) are E (treaty trade and investment), H (specialty occupations, agricultural and other temporary work), I (media), L (intracompany transfer), O (extraordinary ability), P (athletes and entertainers), Q (cultural exchange) and R (religious workers). Permanent employment uses the EB-1 to EB-5 immigrant categories.
Source: 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15) · 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)
Can Thai nationals get an E-2 visa?
Yes. Thailand is on the State Department's treaty country list for E-1 and E-2, with the treaty in force since 8 June 1968. E-2 visas for Thai nationals are valid for up to 6 months with multiple entries.
What is a green card?
A green card is the US permanent resident card. People outside the United States obtain this status by applying for an immigrant visa based on family, employment or the Diversity Visa and entering the United States on that visa.
Source: 8 U.S.C. 1151 · 8 U.S.C. 1153
Official sources used on this page
- 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15) — INA section 101(a)(15)
U.S. Code text via Cornell LII · checked 29 Oct 2026 - 8 U.S.C. 1184(b) — INA section 214(b)
U.S. Code text via Cornell LII · checked 29 Oct 2026 - 8 U.S.C. 1151(b) — INA section 201(b)
U.S. Code text via Cornell LII · checked 29 Oct 2026 - 8 U.S.C. 1153 — INA section 203
U.S. Code text via Cornell LII · checked 29 Oct 2026 - 22 CFR 41.11 — Entitlement to nonimmigrant status
eCFR up to date as of 15 Oct 2026 · last amended 91 FR 48766 (3 Aug 2026) - U.S. Department of State — Thailand Reciprocity Schedule
checked 29 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — Treaty Countries
checked 29 Oct 2026