Different Types of Immigration Visas - Elementary School

When people move to a new country, they usually need permission from that country's government. One way to get permission is by receiving a visa. A visa is like a special pass that tells someone they are allowed to enter or stay in a country for a certain reason.

There are many different kinds of visas because people come to a country for many different reasons.

Family Visas

Many people move to be with the people they love. A family visa lets family members, like parents, children, husbands, wives, or siblings, join relatives who already live in the United States. Keeping families together is one of the most common reasons people immigrate.

Work Visas

Some people move because they have been offered a job. A work visa allows someone to live and work in another country. Workers may be teachers, doctors, engineers, artists, farmers, or people with many other skills.

Refugee and Asylum Protection

Sometimes people are not safe in their home countries because of war, violence, or persecution. A refugee is someone who is given permission to move to another country before arriving there. An asylum seeker asks for protection after arriving in a new country. These programs help keep people safe when they cannot safely return home.