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 Louisiana (LA), as in all other U.S. states, nonimmigrant visas are regulated by federal law, not state statutes. These visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to enter the United States temporarily for various reasons such as tourism, business, medical treatment, or certain types of temporary work. The type of nonimmigrant visa required is determined by the purpose of the individual's travel and is governed by immigration law. Applicants typically must apply for a tourist (B-2) or business (B-1) visa directly at a U.S. consulate or embassy in their home country. Those seeking to enter the U.S. for study or work may need specific authorization and documentation before applying for a visa. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State provide comprehensive listings and requirements for all nonimmigrant visa classifications. It is important to note that being granted a visa does not ensure entry into the United States; it only indicates that a U.S. consular officer has deemed the individual eligible to enter for a specific purpose. Final admission is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry based on U.S. immigration law.