Immigration Part 1: Understanding U.S. Visa Categories

If you’re planning to move to the United States, the first big question is always: Which visa is right for me?

There’s no single answer that fits everyone. It depends on your goals — whether you want to study, work, join family, or settle permanently.
In this first part of our immigration series, Shabbir Gilani breaks down the five main visa categories you should know about before starting your journey.

1. Student Visas (F-1, M-1, J-1)

The most common student visa is the F-1, meant for full-time academic studies in the U.S.
To qualify, you’ll need:

• Admission to a U.S. school or university

• Proof that you can afford your studies and living expenses

• A commitment to stay enrolled full-time

If your focus is on vocational or technical training, you’ll need an M-1 visa.
For cultural exchange or sponsored study programs, apply for a J-1 visa.

Student visas are temporary, but many students later move on to work visas and eventually green cards.

2. Work Visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1)

Work visas allow foreign professionals to work legally in the U.S.
The most popular one is the H-1B visa, designed for skilled workers in fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare.
It requires employer sponsorship and goes through a lottery system, making it highly competitive.

The L-1 visa is for employees transferring to a U.S. branch of the same company, while the O-1 visa is for individuals with extraordinary abilities — such as artists, athletes, researchers, and performers.

These visas are also temporary but often lead to long-term opportunities and, eventually, permanent residency.

3. Family-Based Visas

Family reunification remains one of the strongest paths to U.S. immigration.
If you have relatives who are U.S. citizens or green card holders, they can sponsor you.

Here’s how it works:

• U.S. citizens can sponsor spouses, parents, children, and even siblings.

• Green card holders can sponsor only spouses and unmarried children.

While the process can take years, family-based immigration is one of the most stable and dependable paths to a green card.

4. The Diversity Visa Lottery

Every year, the U.S. government randomly selects about 50,000 applicants from eligible countries to receive permanent residency through the Diversity Visa Lottery.

Unfortunately, Pakistan is currently not eligible, because a high number of Pakistanis already immigrate through other channels.
However, if you were born in a country that is eligible, you may still qualify to apply.

This program is designed to promote diversity in U.S. immigration and offers a rare chance for people without family or employer sponsorship.

5. Immigrant Visas (Green Cards)

Finally, the ultimate goal for many — the green card, officially known as an immigrant visa.

Green cards allow you to live, work, and study in the United States indefinitely.
They can be obtained through:

• Family sponsorship

• Employment

• Refugee or asylum programs

Once you have a green card, you’re on the path to becoming a U.S. citizen after meeting the required residency and eligibility conditions.

Final Thoughts

Immigration can be a complex process, but understanding the different visa categories is the first step toward making informed decisions.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or someone hoping to reunite with family, the key is to choose the right path for your situation.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Shabbir Gilani will explain how to apply for these visas step-by-step.