A visa category for individuals who wish to enter a country temporarily for specific purposes such as tourism, business, education, or medical treatment. Nonimmigrant visas are generally issued for a defined period and purpose, and the visa holder must adhere to the conditions of their stay. Examples include the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa, F-1 Student Visa, and J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa in the United States. Nonimmigrant visa holders must demonstrate intent to return to their home country after their authorized stay.
Etymology
The term “nonimmigrant” combines “non,” meaning “not,” with “immigrant,” derived from the Latin “immigrants,” meaning “to move into.” The concept of a visa comes from the Latin “charta visa,” meaning “paper that has been seen.”