US Visa Types Explained for Arabs: Visit, Study, Work and Immigrate
One table comparing the most common visas, plus the treaty rules and restrictions that matter for Arab nationals.
In short: US visas come in two families: nonimmigrant visas for a temporary purpose, such as visiting (B-1/B-2), studying (F-1) or working (H-1B), and immigrant visas that end in a green card through a relative, an employer or the diversity lottery. Choosing one starts with a single question: what is the real purpose of your trip? Among Arab countries, only nationals of Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Bahrain and Oman can apply for the E-2 treaty investor visa.
Immigrant vs. nonimmigrant: what's the difference?
A nonimmigrant visa is for a specific temporary purpose: a visit, a degree, or a job for a set period. You are expected to leave when that purpose ends. For most types, the consular officer presumes you intend to immigrate unless you show otherwise.
An immigrant visa is for people coming to live permanently; you become a permanent resident when you enter. The main routes are a US citizen or green card holder relative, an employer, or the Diversity Visa program.
The validity printed on the visa is not how long you can stay. The officer at the port of entry sets your authorized stay, recorded on your electronic I-94.
Quick comparison of the most common visas
| Visa | Purpose | Stay (per USCIS) | Can you work? |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 | Short business trips, tourism, family visits, medical care | Set by CBP; B-1 initially 1 to 6 months | No |
| F-1 | Academic or language study | Tied to the length of your program | Limited: on campus up to 20 hrs/week in session; practical training with authorization |
| J-1 | Exchange programs: researchers, physicians, scholars, trainees | Tied to the program | Only as the program allows |
| H-1B | Specialty occupation requiring a degree | Up to 3 years, extendable to 6 total | Yes, for the sponsoring employer only |
| L-1A | Manager or executive transferring within the same company | Up to 3 years initially (1 year for a new office) | Yes, for the sponsoring company |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, business, athletics | Up to 3 years initially, extensions up to 1 year at a time | Yes, for the approved activity |
| E-2 | Investor from a treaty country | Up to 2 years initially; 2-year extensions, no limit on number | Yes, in the invested business |
| K-1 | Fiancé(e) of a US citizen | Must marry within 90 days of entry | After getting a work permit |
| Immigrant visas | Permanent residence | Permanent | Yes, without restriction |
B-1/B-2 visitor visa: can you use it to visit family?
Yes. B-2 covers visiting relatives, tourism and medical treatment; B-1 covers business meetings, conferences and contract negotiations. They are often issued together. Working for pay is not allowed.
The interview focuses on your ties at home: job, family, property, past travel. An invitation from a relative in the US helps, but it is not what decides the outcome.
Study and exchange: F-1 and J-1
F-1 is for students admitted to an approved school. On-campus work is capped at 20 hours a week while school is in session, and off-campus work needs specific authorization such as practical training. Details are in our guide to studying in the US.
J-1 is for approved exchange programs, including the route many Arab physicians and researchers use. Some J-1 holders are subject to a two-year home-country residence requirement before they can get certain visas or a green card, unless they obtain a waiver through Form I-612. Find out whether it applies to you before you accept a program.
Work visas: H-1B, L-1 and O-1
H-1B is for a job that requires at least a bachelor's degree in a specific field, and the employer files. It has an annual cap of 65,000, plus 20,000 for holders of a US master's degree or higher, allocated by registration and lottery. Universities and certain nonprofit research employers are cap-exempt.
A September 2025 proclamation added a $100,000 payment for certain new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US. As of September 2026, USCIS says a federal court vacated the guidance implementing that payment on June 8, 2026, the appeals court denied a stay on July 24, 2026, and DHS still plans to collect it if the order is lifted. Check the USCIS H-1B page before acting.
L-1A is for a manager or executive who worked for the same company abroad for one continuous year within the previous three. It suits Arab companies opening a US branch, and an L-2 spouse is authorized to work incident to status.
O-1 is for people with documented extraordinary achievement: awards, publications, press coverage, high pay. It requires a US employer or agent to file.
E-2 investor visa: which Arab countries qualify?
Only nationals of a country with a qualifying treaty can apply. According to the State Department's Foreign Affairs Manual list (9 FAM 402.9, updated February 2026), the Arab treaty countries are:
| Country | E-1 (trader) | E-2 (investor) |
|---|---|---|
| Egypt | No | Yes |
| Jordan | Yes | Yes |
| Morocco | No | Yes |
| Tunisia | No | Yes |
| Bahrain | No | Yes |
| Oman | Yes | Yes |
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Lebanon, Algeria, Syria and others are not on the list. Here nationality counts, not birthplace: someone born in Iraq who holds Jordanian citizenship may qualify.
There is no fixed legal minimum. The investment must be "substantial" relative to the cost of the business, and the business must be real and not "marginal," meaning it can do more than support the investor and family. E-2 does not lead to a green card on its own.
K-1 fiancé(e) visa and family immigrant visas
K-1 lets the fiancé(e) of a US citizen enter to marry within 90 days, then apply for a green card. The couple must have met in person at least once in the two years before filing, though USCIS can waive this, including when meeting would violate strict, long-established cultural or religious customs.
If you are already married, K-1 is not the route; your spouse needs Form I-130. See our I-130 guide.
Immediate relatives of citizens don't wait for a visa number. Siblings, married children and relatives of green card holders wait according to the Visa Bulletin. The diversity visa is in an unusual state right now, explained on our DV lottery status page.
Does your nationality change what's available?
Yes. The entry restrictions in effect since January 1, 2026 suspend nearly all visa types for nationals of Yemen, Sudan, Syria, Libya and Somalia and for people on Palestinian Authority documents, and suspend immigrant, visitor and student visas for nationals of Mauritania. Exceptions are covered in our 2026 travel restrictions guide.
How to choose, and how applying works
Answer these in order; the first "yes" usually points to your most direct route:
- Do you have a US citizen or green card holder relative? Start with the family route.
- Do you have a job offer from a US employer? The employer files the H-1B, O-1 or other petition, not you.
- Do you work for a company with a US branch or parent? Look at L-1.
- Have you been admitted to a school or exchange program? F-1 or J-1.
- Are you a treaty-country national with capital for a real business? E-2.
- Do you only want to visit? B-1/B-2.
Most nonimmigrant visas follow the same steps: complete the online DS-160, pay the application fee, book an interview at the embassy or consulate, and attend with your documents. Petition-based visas, such as work visas and K-1, start with a USCIS approval first. Fees and appointment waits vary by visa and post and change over time, so check the State Department's fee and wait-time pages before you pay.
Common mistakes
- Entering on a visitor visa while planning to stay or work. It can be treated as misrepresenting your purpose and hurt every future application.
- Confusing visa validity with length of stay. A 5-year visa doesn't mean a 5-year stay. Check your I-94 after every entry.
- Working outside what your visa allows. Even online freelance work for a US client can be a problem in some categories.
- Trusting an office that "guarantees" a visa. Only the consular officer decides.
What next?
Pin down your purpose, then open the matching page on the State Department site or USCIS. Once you arrive, start with our first 90 days in the US guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between immigrant and nonimmigrant visas?
Nonimmigrant visas are for a temporary purpose such as a visit, study or a job; an immigrant visa makes you a permanent resident on entry.
Can Egyptians apply for the E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Egypt is on the E-2 treaty list in 9 FAM 402.9, along with Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Bahrain and Oman.
Can Saudi or Emirati nationals get an E-2?
No. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are not E-2 treaty countries, unless the person also holds citizenship of a listed country.
Can I work on a B-2 visitor visa?
No. Paid work is not allowed on a visitor visa and can damage future applications.
How many hours can an F-1 student work?
Up to 20 hours a week on campus while school is in session; off-campus work needs specific authorization.
How long is an H-1B valid?
Generally up to 3 years at first, extendable to a total of 6 years, with shorter limits if the worker owns a controlling interest in the employer.
Official sources we reviewed
- U.S. Department of State — 9 FAM 402.9 Treaty Traders and Investors (treaty country list) ↗
- USCIS — E-2 Treaty Investors ↗
- USCIS — H-1B Specialty Occupations ↗
- USCIS — L-1A Intracompany Transferee Executive or Manager ↗
- USCIS — O-1 Visa: Individuals with Extraordinary Ability or Achievement ↗
- USCIS — Visas for Fiancé(e)s of U.S. Citizens ↗
- USCIS — B-1 Temporary Business Visitor ↗
- Study in the States (DHS) — Working in the United States (F-1) ↗