Visa programs in the United States serve as legal pathways for foreign nationals to enter and remain in the country for various purposes such as tourism, work, education, or permanent settlement. These programs are broadly divided into non-immigrant and immigrant categories. Non-immigrant visas are for temporary stays and include options like B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F-1 for students, J-1 for exchange visitors, and H-1B for skilled workers. Immigrant visas, on the other hand, are designed for those seeking permanent residency, including family-sponsored visas, employment-based visas, the Diversity Visa Lottery, and visas for refugees or asylees. Each visa type comes with specific eligibility criteria and application processes, and some may offer a path to a Green Card and eventually U.S. citizenship.