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 Wisconsin, as in all 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 temporary work. The type of visa required depends on the purpose of the visit and must be obtained from a U.S. consulate or embassy abroad. The most common types are the B-1 for business visitors and the B-2 for tourists. Students and certain workers may need additional authorization before applying for a visa. The complete list of nonimmigrant visa classifications and requirements can be found on the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the U.S. Department of State websites. It's important to note that having a visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.; the final admission decision is made by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer at the port-of-entry based on U.S. immigration law.