Non Immigrants are those foreign nationals who enter the United States with the intent to remain only temporarily. Non Immigrants are granted entry for a limited time and for a specific purposes. Important non immigrant concepts include status and period of authorized stay. Non immigrants should also be familiar with extension of status and change of status.

Status is the purpose for which the non immigrant entered. There are many different status categories. Each category has a letter assigned to it and most include a number to indicate which sub category is authorized. Some common status symbols include: (Updated links under development).

• B-1: Visitor for Business
• B-2: Visitor for Pleasure
• F-1: Student
• H-1: Temporary worker
• L-1: Intra company transferee
• L-2: Intra company transferee
• M-1: Vocational Training
• O-1: Outstanding Ability 

This is but a sampling of the available categories.

Upon entry in any non immigrant category the non immigrant will receive a stamp in their passport noting the date of entry, the status and the authorized period of stay. They will also receive a similarly stamped form I-94.