The Basic Difference
| Visa | Green card | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Travel document in a passport | Proof of lawful permanent resident status (Form I-551) |
| Issued by | U.S. Department of State (embassies and consulates) | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) |
| Purpose | Permission to travel to the U.S. and request entry for a stated purpose | Permission to live and work in the U.S. permanently |
| Duration | Fixed validity; most are for temporary stays | Card valid 10 years; status is permanent unless lost |
| Work | Only if the category allows it | Allowed for almost any employer |
| Path to citizenship | Not directly | Usually after 5 years (3 if married to a citizen) |
Visa vs. Status: A Common Confusion
A visa only lets you request entry. When you arrive, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer decides whether to admit you and for how long. That decision is recorded in your electronic Form I-94 arrival record, which you can check on CBP's I-94 website.
- Your visa can expire while you are lawfully in the U.S. — what matters for your stay is your authorized period on the I-94.
- Staying past your I-94 date can make you unlawfully present and lead to bars on returning, even if your visa is still valid.
Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas
Nonimmigrant categories are listed in 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15). Common examples:
| Visa | Purpose |
|---|---|
| B-1 / B-2 | Business visits and tourism or medical treatment |
| F-1 / M-1 | Academic or vocational students |
| J-1 | Exchange visitors, such as researchers, interns, and au pairs |
| H-1B | Workers in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree |
| L-1 | Intracompany transferees of multinational companies |
| O-1 | People with extraordinary ability in their field |
| TN | Certain Canadian and Mexican professionals under the USMCA |
| E-1 / E-2 | Treaty traders and investors |
Most nonimmigrant visa applicants must show they intend to return home — the presumption of immigrant intent under 8 U.S.C. § 1184(b). H-1B and L-1 workers are exceptions: they may have dual intent, meaning they can pursue a green card while holding temporary status.
The Visa Waiver Program
Citizens of about 40 participating countries can visit the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa by getting an approved ESTA travel authorization online. Visitors under the program generally cannot extend their stay or change to another status inside the U.S.
Immigrant Visas and Green Cards
An immigrant visa is issued to someone abroad who qualifies for permanent residence — for example, through a family member, employer, or the diversity lottery. After entering on the immigrant visa, the person becomes a permanent resident and the green card is mailed to them.
People already in the U.S. on a valid nonimmigrant status may be able to apply for a green card without leaving, through adjustment of status (Form I-485), if they qualify.
Changing From One to the Other
- Change of status: Many nonimmigrants can apply to USCIS to change to another temporary category, such as F-1 student to H-1B worker, if they maintained status.
- Adjustment of status: Eligible people can apply for a green card from inside the U.S.
- Consular processing: Others must complete the process at a U.S. consulate abroad.
