• The U.S. offers various types of visas for temporary and permanent travelers.liberty and flag image by zampa from Fotolia.com
  
  Various types of visas are available to foreigners who come to the United States temporarily or permanently. Generally, those who seek immigrant status need a U.S. sponsor, either family or employer. Others, who come from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States, do not require any sponsorship, as their visas are part of an effort by the government to promote diversity. Some visas provide protection to victims who are willing to help law enforcement solve crimes.
  
  

Temporary/Nonimmigrant Visas

• Temporary visas are available for nonimmigrant travelers to the United States who are not legal residents or citizens of the country. About 30 types of temporary visas are available, according to the U.S. Department of State's travel website. Those who may be eligible for temporary visas include: athletes competing for prize money; au pairs, nannies and domestics; exchange visitors; those with "extraordinary ability" in sciences, arts, education or business; visitors for medical treatment; medical professionals; media journalists; performing artists and entertainers; seasonal workers; tourists and vacationers; and those transiting the United States. Nonimmigrant visas may also be given to spouses (K-3) or fiances (K-1) of U.S. citizens to visit or get married in the United States. V visas allow legal permanent residents (LPRs) to bring their spouse or children under age 21 to temporarily reunite. T visas and U visas are for those who are willing to assistant law enforcement investigating crimes, according to womenslaw.org.
  
  

Permanent Family-Sponsored Immigrant Visas

• Most permanent immigrants require sponsorship by a family member or employer in the United States. An American citizens may permanently bring their foreign spouses to live in the United States with an IR1 or CR1. The IR-3 and -4 are permanent visas for foreign-born adoptees of U.S. citizens, according to workpermit.com.
  
  

Permanent Employer-Based Immigrant Visas

• Employee-based visas are divided into five preference categories (E-1 through E-5). The range of employees includes: professors, researchers, those with "extraordinary ability," certain executives and managers, skilled workers with advanced degrees and experience, and "Employment Creation Investors," according to the U.S. Department of State. "Special Immigrants" visas exist for Iraqis and Afghans who work as translators and interpreters, worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government, and religious workers.
  
  

Diversity Visas

• No sponsorship is required for diversity visas (DVs), which are for natives of countries that have a low rate of immigration to the United States. The countries, which are located on most continents, may vary over time.