Nonimmigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, business, medical treatment, and certain types of temporary work. The type of nonimmigrant visa needed is defined by immigration law and related to the purpose of the travel.

Generally, an individual applies directly to the U.S. consulate or embassy abroad for a tourist (B-2) or business nonimmigrant (B-1) visa. But foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States to study or work may require certain authorization and documentation prior to applying for a nonimmigrant visa. For an alphabetical listing all of the nonimmigrant visa classifications and specific requirements, refer to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website, or the U.S. Department of State website.

Issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry to the United States. A visa simply indicates that a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate has reviewed the application and that officer has determined that the individual is eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry will conduct an inspection to determine if the individual is eligible for admission under U.S. immigration law.

In Kansas, as in all other U.S. states, the regulation of nonimmigrant visas is a federal matter, governed by immigration law and administered by federal agencies such as the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals who intend to enter the United States temporarily for reasons such as tourism (B-2), business (B-1), medical treatment, study, or certain types of temporary work. The specific type of visa required depends on the purpose of the visit. Applicants typically must apply for these visas at a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. The process may require additional authorization and documentation, especially for those seeking to study or work in the U.S. While the issuance of a visa indicates eligibility to enter the U.S. for a specific purpose, as determined by a U.S. consular officer, it does not guarantee entry. Admission is ultimately determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry based on compliance with U.S. immigration law.