example of visit card

Visiting card design templates

Share your contact information with a professionally designed visiting card template. customize your visiting card to suit your needs..

Grow your network with professional visiting card design templates

Make connections and grow your network with a professional visiting card. Use these eye-catching visiting card templates to share your contact information with others. Create digital visiting cards or print out your visiting card to share with people in person. Each visiting card design template is fully customizable, so you can change the images, text, and more. Add your phone number, name, job title, and more to personalize each visiting card. In any industry, presenting yourself confidently and professionally puts you a step ahead of the competition, and these templates make it easy to create a visiting card that reflects positively on you. There are a variety of visiting card designs to choose from­­—explore modern visiting cards, vintage visiting cards, and more. Each of these designs will help you stand out and put your information front and center. You can even coordinate your visiting card with your resume for a cohesive look. And to help establish yourself further, explore LinkedIn templates .

• > Templates
• > visiting cards

Visiting Card Templates

Create professional, personalized, printable, and editable visiting/business card to increase enquiries, phone calls and sales. Choose from our vast library of visiting card templates and start customizing now.

Visiting Cards

Bage and Brown Sprinkles Bakery Visiting Card

White Orange and Black Themed Tailor Visiting Card

Multicoloured Photography and Design Visiting Card

Simple Brown Accountant Visiting Card

Yellow and Black Account Manager Visiting Card

White and Green Digital Marketing Agency Visiting Card

White and Blue Gynaecologist Visiting Crds

Ready to create your first design?

Join a growing bandwagon of a million users who’re creating awesome designs every day.

Free Forever. No Credit Card Required.

40 Inspired Business Card Designs Too Useful to Throw Away

Published: December 21, 2023

If you network a lot, you likely have dozens of business cards in different bags, pockets, and wallets. But when you're looking for something about the same size and thickness as a business card?

It becomes clear how alike most business cards have come to look.

As a company rep or prospective employee, you need to stand out from the pile. So, we've gathered business card examples based on insights from marketing managers, recruiters, and decision-makers to help.

5 Good Business Card Examples To Help Get You Started

12 Business Cards for Company Reps

12 business cards for prospective employees, 11 creative (and useful) business card ideas, 5 business card examples to help get you started, 1. a captivating tagline.

Don't forget to share this post!

Related articles.

Professional Email Address: How to Create One in 2024 [+ Examples]

What is Career Cushioning? Why You Might Want to Try It in 2024

How to Write a LinkedIn Recommendation in 2023 [Quick Tip + Examples]

17 Events and Conferences for Black Entrepreneurs in 2023

10 Events and Conferences for LGBTQ+ Entrepreneurs

How to Network Effectively: 15 Tips You Can Start Using Today

5 Networking Tips for Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

17 Great Conversation Starters to Break the Ice at Networking Events

Why Workplace Friendships are Good for You (and How to Form Them)

Organic Networking: 3 Tips for Natural Success

6 templates to manage your business, personal, and program spend on an annual, quarterly, and monthly basis.

Marketing software that helps you drive revenue, save time and resources, and measure and optimize your investments — all on one easy-to-use platform

We use essential cookies to make Venngage work. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.

Manage Cookies

Cookies and similar technologies collect certain information about how you’re using our website. Some of them are essential, and without them you wouldn’t be able to use Venngage. But others are optional, and you get to choose whether we use them or not.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are always on, as they’re essential for making Venngage work, and making it safe. Without these cookies, services you’ve asked for can’t be provided.

Show cookie providers

• Google Login

Functionality Cookies

These cookies help us provide enhanced functionality and personalisation, and remember your settings. They may be set by us or by third party providers.

Performance Cookies

These cookies help us analyze how many people are using Venngage, where they come from and how they're using it. If you opt out of these cookies, we can’t get feedback to make Venngage better for you and all our users.

• Google Analytics

Targeting Cookies

These cookies are set by our advertising partners to track your activity and show you relevant Venngage ads on other sites as you browse the internet.

• Google Tag Manager
• Infographics
• Daily Infographics
• Template Lists
• Graphic Design
• Graphs and Charts
• Data Visualization
• Human Resources
• Beginner Guides

Blog Graphic Design

40+ of the Best Business Card Ideas, Examples and Templates

By Rada Abdo , Dec 19, 2019

Table of Contents

Photography Business Card Examples

Real estate business card examples, personal business card examples, professional business card examples.

• Artist Business Card Example

When you network, these days you usually exchange social media handles.

But sometimes you don’t want to share your personal pages. Or you meet people who still have a traditional approach to connecting in your industry.

Having a business card allows you to stay connected outside of social media.

Whether you’re a new grad or seasoned in your field, business cards are still used by everyone. So if you’re serious about your business and want to market yourself tangibly, a business card is an asset to have. 

You don’t want to just limit yourself to having an online presence. You want to know that your name will be in someone’s jacket pocket for the next few weeks. 

With 40+ business card templates , tips, and examples, you can create your own business card in no time. Let’s get started with these awesome business card designs!

Why are business cards so important?

• They give a first impression of your business
• They give others options on how to contact you or your business
• They showcase your brand
• They offer your business more credibility

What should be on a business card?

The most important part of a business card is the information on it. Make sure these points are included in your professional business card: 

• Your name and the name of your business 
• Your basic contact information: name, email, website, social media, and your digits (personal or business phone number )
• What you do, for example: artist , photographer , real estate agent, trainer , etc.
• Your personal logo/or company logo

How can you design your own business card?

Below are 40+ of best business card examples to help inspire your design:

GET THIS Business card TEMPLATE

A great way to market yourself is by using your own photos in your business card. You are able to showcase your work without requiring people to go on your social media. 

You can add splashes of color like pink to add personality. The icons on the front side are a reminder of the distinct theme of nature photography. You can use your business card as a mini portfolio to show off your work.

GET THIS BUSINESS CARD TEMPLATE

This creative business card is a great reflection of the brand’s personality. It portrays a sleek look that screams professionalism. The green is eye catching and the black brings boldness. Using your logo to match your card gives it a seamless look.

This minimal design photography card combines a simple look with stock photos for a fresh and clean finish. The pop of yellow highlights the purpose of the card along with the main point of contact.

You can choose neon colors to highlight the most important information on your business card.

Using a diagonal line in your photography business card design adds interest to your card. It’s simple in its tone but demanding in its appeal. The black and white background shades allow the simple gold logo to stand out. 

If you want to appeal to a wide range of clients, using black and white to contrast is the right decision. The ambiguity of this simple design attracts curiosity, since it’s not too obvious what your business is promoting. A great marketing tactic!

Not everyone is going to have the right photos on hand while creating their business card. So if you need to use a stock photo, make sure it is authentic, unique and high quality.

You don’t need to read any words to know what this business card is about. This vertical real estate business card idea is a fresh take on the traditional business card.

Using bold complementary colors will always leave an impact on whoever is looking at your business card. The use of orange contrasted against a gentle muted blue here helps it jump off the business card.  Your brand colors have a big impact on your innovative business card. Make sure you really reflect on your color choices and what they mean to your brand before choosing colors.

This real estate business card gives an inviting feel because of its familiarity. The white borders around the text allow for the information of the business card to be the focal point. 

According to color theory , maroon gives a feel of confidence. Look behind the meaning of the color you select so that its purposeful and leaves an impact. 

As a final note, having your photo on your business card ensures your clients will not forget your face.

Using black as the central color of your business card gives off a powerful vibe. It shows that you mean business.

Using capital letters for your job title and name adds authority to your real estate business card. The minimalism of this design also allows for the white font and logo to capture your focus.

This business card design is clean and basic. It gets right to the point without any distractions. The use of gold allows for an accented trim that gives off the feel of sophistication and class.

If you want your business card to get right to the point, less is more here. Less ink is also generally cheaper for printing, your bank account will be happy!

A great way of self promotion is placing an illustration of yourself in the middle of your graphic business card. It adds some spice to your business card, it would be boring without it! Your personal business card  ideas should reflect who you are as a person. 

If you want to send the message that you’re playful to whoever receives your card, you’re on the right track. The addition of hues of purple and blue give a sense of ambition and creativity.

This business card screams flower power! This card brings you back to the 1960s but with a modern punch. The use of purple, bright blue, and black reminds me of a negative color effect you see in photography. As if there was a color reversal. 

The slab of white space in the middle forces your attention to be concentrated on the important information. The elements here all work together to give a seamless but interesting feel to your business card.

This playful business card will grab anyone’s attention. The use of neon green and yellow allows for a bright and inviting page, it gives it a modern and trendy feel. The card gives off a very friendly vibe to anyone who gets ahold of it. 

If you’re more outgoing and daring, this card is perfect for you. The addition of the illustration is a way of incorporating yourself without having a real picture of yourself, especially if you aren’t comfortable with it.

Using abstract design with varieties of the color blue make for an appealing personal business card. The use of blue gives this business card the feel of depth and stability, which is soothing for any potential client. 

Be creative if your use of color blocking to add interest to your business card.

Minimalism has been a popular design option in the past couple of years. If you’re looking for a simple business card, without any distractions, this is for you.

Being this simple adds a refreshing feel for your personal business card. Knowing less is always more, it gives your business card a sense of mystery.

You don’t need to stick to just one color for your business card if you’re having trouble picking the perfect one. A part of your branding may be that you have a color palette with varieties of color.

Instead of trying to fit every color into each business card, you can have a range in your business card pile. Your clients can pick whichever color appeals most to them. It’ll also give you an excuse to have more conversation with clients and industry professionals.

A neutral color palette on your business card will always feel modern and trendy. So will having a minimalist design with few words. All these elements come together beautifully. They leave your business card looking sleek and inviting.

This professional business card allows for an interactive visual experience. The use of icons in this business card template makes room for many illustrations.  Cute and informal but also with depth and meaning. The receivers of your card will take time to explore each icon and decipher the meanings. It reminds you of the Casper ad puzzles !

The power lies in your name with this business card example. This heavy bold font contrasts the graphic design and color of the background elegantly. Bold brand fonts have been very popular lately, according to our latest Graphic Design Trends blog post. 

The use of this font creates a contemporary feel. Using similar styles of font allows for a strong and lasting impression for your business card.

This muted pastel color business card is creative yet subtle enough to appeal to everyone. The light pastel color schemes allows the card to look creative but not too bold. If you have a business card design that is complex, try balancing it out by having a basic color on the backside of your business card.

If you need help choosing colors, take a look at this in-depth guide to pick color schemes . 

When it comes to professional business cards, first impressions matter most. That’s why having the right color combination is important to your overall design. Creating a bright side on the back of the card that contrasts the dark front side allows for a fun surprise.

The gold accents on the trim and logo also give the card a 3D pop. It guides the eyes of your potential clients to the information that matters most.

This muted blue professional business card uses white space to make its design jump off the card. The combination of blue, black, and white creates a great blend. 

The spacing is also a great addition that centers your attention. This business card is all about spacing. Have some fun playing around with the spacing of your business card to come up with creative designs.

Using 2 color choices keeps your business card simple. If you want to add a little spice to your minimalist business card the flip the color placements on the other side. Add an accent color as well.

This business card example is to the point. There are no distractions. It has as little but enough information as possible.

Simplicity is beautiful. Getting to the point is what most clients want. This card has zero fluff and is very matter of fact in its design. It is fuss free and fast to use, requiring minimal effort. 

Depending on your clientele, you will know if this professional business card design is right for you.

Who said you can’t have fun with your business card design? Depending on your personality and what you do, you can definitely have quirky illustrations for your design. This business card features animated fruits with lots of warm tones. 

It puts a smile on your face and melts your heart. This style doesn’t need to just be limited to illustrators and designers. Anyone can have some fun with their business card. 

Everything about the use of font in this business card is tasteful. It starts with the heavy bold font at the top to exaggerate the brand name. Underneath is a stylish cursive font to emphasize more detail.

At the bottom you see a more basic font to give the important information needed. The designer grabbed your attention by playing with creative elegant fonts , then for the detail they went with a general choice. Being intentional with your font choices helps you with leaving a lasting impression.

Use muted colors to give your business card an earthy natural feel. The darker tones on the corners of this business card direct your eyes to the center. This forces attention on the text in the middle.

Using flowy shapes and lines is a popular design trend this year.

Artist Business Card Examples

Nothing screams eye catching quite like this very playful business card design. Although having a busy business card may seem distracting, placing a bright color centers the images so that your eye also focuses on the information. 

The capitalized name in big font is a good choice as well in directing your client’s attention to who you are. Don’t be afraid to use content that jumps off the page!

This impressionist inspired business card is one of a kind. Since the background image is so colorful, the information on the card needs to be minimal. Think about what you want your client’s to focus on. It differs for each person. 

Here we see that the visual element is the focus. Have fun and be whimsical with your business card!

If you want to create a fun and vivid business card, this card is a great inspiration. Not only does it utilize icons to symbolize all the services provided, it also allows for lots of space to keep it from feeling overwhelming. Using yellow gives a burst of quirkiness and presents a great  business card inspiration .

Vibrance is what is being displayed in this business card. The white flower against the bright red makes for such an exciting creative business card design . It screams drama. The handwritten font also personalizes this business card so that your clients feel your individuality.

A business card design like this example is very hypnotizing. Symmetry in design is powerful and aesthetically pleasing. 

The design centers around the middle of the business card. A smart way to balance your business card if you want it to look busy but not distracting.

This artistic business card makes you reluctant to throw away. It captivates your client so that they are obliged to keep your card and contact you. That’s the influence that an artistic business card can have. 

To keep the background from stealing all the attention on the business card, having a solid shape at the forefront helps. It allows your text to pop and not be lost.

The color scheme of this business card pulls from the photo. This creates a monochromatic look. The red demands your attention and leaves a lasting impression. 

The boldness of the card is captivating. Use bold colors to get a similar feel for your business card.

Replacing a photo of yourself with an icon is a good option if you’re not comfortable using a photo of yourself. It automatically draws attention to the information on your business card. The lines in the background add spice and interest to your business card as well. 

Using a border around your text is another good tip to help direct your eye to the important information like this business card does.

This business card does a great job reminding its potential customers of the service it offers. It uses a music sheet design to present the contact information on the front side of the card. On the backside is the actual piano. 

Sometimes literally visualizing your business on your card will help attract new clients — it gets right to the point.

If you’re a wedding planner then having a chic wedding business card is essential. Using a cursive font gives your card a more attractive effect. The diamond logo complements the chic theme of the card along with the classic dark blue and pink contrasting on each side. 

Depending on your business, pick a theme that matches what you do.

This business card takes it back to the beginning of business card history, with a modern twist. 

The modern twist is that this business card uses a QR code to share information quickly. You can use a QR code generator to easily give a technological touch to a classic business card.

If you don’t want to quickly have a business card with minimal effort, this business card is the perfect choice.

We will end this post with his dreamy business card design that uses a great and interesting background image. The gradient color scheme also adds to the peaceful tone, giving you a great sense of calm. 

If your business card has a bold background color, white font can really pop.

Also, since the background is busy, spacing your information is integral. Make sure you use the space on the card strategically.

How can I make my creative business card stand out?

Think about all the conferences and events you attend in a year. Now reflect on the amount of business cards you receive in them.

Making your business card personal to you and your branding is one of the best ways of making it stand out. 

You can either keep it simple and to the point or be creative with it. It all depends on the main message you are trying to send out. 

Brainstorm different color palettes that will compliment your business card. What do these colors mean to you? What emotion do you want to evoke? 

Think about additional features you’d like to add to your business card. You can add icons and symbols , logos , or stock photos. Or unique fonts , colors , and illustrations.

We’ve provided you with many creative business card designs with many business cards ideas.

How much should I pay for business cards?

If you design your business card yourself using a template, the costs are much cheaper. 

Using an online template can cost around 0$-$100. You can customize your many different templates so that it fits your branding.

A batch of around 50 business cards can cost around $20. Not bad.

You shouldn’t need too many business cards so the costs can be quite low, with a big payback for your business.

• How it Works

Unique Business Card Examples for Every Small Business

Business Cards

Despite being in the modern digitization age, where the first thing you would share with the other person is your Instagram handle, the tradition of exchanging business cards has not died out. Indeed, social media sites and web pages add another dimension to your brand, but the first ever impression or communication of your brand to the potential customer is always through a business card. 

A business card represents the owner, employee designation, contact information, and other essential details to the interested person or a potential customer. It is a concept drawn out of 15th century China when “visiting cards” were popular and acted as self-promotion brochures. Nothing much has changed since then, and the importance of business cards remains intact. 

Brands, these days, often get confused with what kind of design would suit best for their brand. Be it striking visuals or a bold color palette, the design you choose must resonate with your brand personality. In this blog, we have listed down a few modern business card examples and approaches you can consider while designing your business card.

Business cards examples for every business

There are endless possibilities and designs to explore that will inspire you toward your perfect business card. Check out these 23 modern design examples for various types of businesses that will win you clients and calls.

Retail businesses

As of 2022, more than 1 million brick-and-mortar retail stores run in the United States , selling a wide range of products to consumers. The result is saturation and more competition. However, with smart marketing tactics and genius branding, your storefront can become the talk of the town.

Grocery store business cards

Think about your audiences when you design business cards for your grocery store. For example, this bright yet minimal print card that judiciously used its brand colors exudes a fun-friendly neighborhood grocery store vibe. 

More than direct consumers these cards would benefit the networking of suppliers who may want to sell through your store, thereby expanding your inventory. Use the back of business cards to fill in essential information like the store address, email, phone number, or link to any social media community you may have. Highlight key USPs of the store, such as free home delivery, discounted pricing, etc. to attract more customers.

Drug-store business card examples

Look for modern templates with enough negative spacing to jot down essential details. For a drug-store brand, use primary shades of blue and white as they convey healing energy to customers. Keep the fonts lighter with minimal typography. Restrict to precise information. Most drug stores avoid quirky content to highlight the important details in their cards. 

Auto detailing business cards 

Do you want your auto detailing business to stand out? Then use different materials other than paper or cardboard for your business cards. This fantastic card by Garage Culture combines a cotton paper stock base with its logo in the center of the card. You can use other materials that are used in automobiles, like tiers, seat fabrics, etc. to show your brand and services. Check out more auto-detailing business card ideas here .

Massage therapist business cards 

Source by Adelina Oliveria

Use similar patterns and color schemes as this muted pastel color business card which is bold yet elegant in terms of design. The intricate patterns and soothing typography looks creative and balances out the complexity of the background. These patterns can be compared with calming stones and rocks, which are an essential part of massage therapy. Such a beautiful design will assure your customers that they are in for a relaxing session at your store.

Plumbing business cards

Think fair and SQUARE with your new plumbing store business cards. There is no hard and fast rule or standard size for business cards. It can be any shape or size, as long as it complements your brand aesthetics. 

This modern and minimal square business card by Crane Plumbing is a perfect example of how you can add a simple twist to your visiting card designs. The front of the card highlights the company logo/monogram, while the back of the business card has the complete information your customer requires.  

Roofing business cards

There are more interesting ways to showcase your roofing business than a plain rectangle business card. Try out perforated cards that split or fold in half and form the shape of a roof. It provides a fun activity for the customer and allows you to spell out your brand without giving textual details. Keep one side of the card plain with only a roofing textured background and include details on the other side of the card. 

Paparazzi business cards

Get on your paparazzi game starting from your business card. You can use these cards to create a mini portfolio of your work to ignite interest in the potential customer. Create a collage of your previous work to show off your photography skills. Win hearts from the first interaction. 

Moreover, using your work on your business cards will give you an edge to stand out from other photographers.

Floor and decor business cards

As a flooring business, you must have plenty of materials to design your business card, then why not take the more sustainable route and develop wooden material business cards? 

They are sleek, modern, and extremely creative. You can opt for various typography options and experiment with text as well. Get your brand name carved out on the wood, or simply, get it printed or embossed, the possibilities are endless, and the material will give your customer a glance at the quality you offer. 

Creative professionals

Provide an interactive visual experience to your customers through your business cards. If you are a freelance creative professional, use icons and illustrations to map your brand vision. Line art on a pastel background gives your design depth and meaning that receivers of your card will spend time exploring. 

The more artistic ability you show in your business card design, the higher the chances are for your potential customers to take your work seriously. You can weave your design story in your cards and create a lasting impression.

Daycare business cards 

Use bright colors and cartoon illustrations to tie up with the core values of a daycare business and establish trust with your potential customers. Maybe take out the most popular painting from the last children’s competition and print it out on your cards with playful fonts. If you want your daycare business card to be a hit amongst the parents, ensure playfulness, trust, love, and care in each interaction.

Architect business card examples

This subtle and minimal card design from Alana Cooke Architecture shows exemplary branding, exactly what an architecture business needs. The use of translucent plastic material instead of paper and clean fonts elevates the brand’s level of elegance. Since the initials of the brand are actually the logo itself, they cleverly blurred out the rest of the letter to highlight the logo. 

Business cards for pet grooming 

Pet grooming centers can try out illustrations, images, or quirky typography, depending on your business voice. The illustration of the dog on the business card is so large that it actually wraps around the front of the card to the back. This funky illustration provides an unexpected look to your pet grooming business card. 

Personal trainers & fitness industries

Most businesses would avoid using black since the color overpowers the design. However, with an ever-evolving profession, using various shades of black complements the brand tonality. 

Use the darkest shade of black in the background and create the logo with a shinier material of a lighter shade of black. Here the blend and the difference in texture create the contemporary effect. You can use the back of the business card to share business details. 

Bakery business cards

Bakeries should evoke the senses of the receivers through their cards. Use images, textures, and typography to attract customers. 

If you are a home baker, opt for minimal illustrative logos and fonts which look more handwritten than printed. Use edgy materials like craft papers that look recycled, to give your business a rusty and homely edge. Let the creases and crooked corners of the material provide a textural finish to the business cards. 

Fast food restaurant business cards

Think about your customers and the food you serve. Is it teenagers or adults or school-going kids? Do you serve Chinese or Italian? Highlight these aspects in your business card.

For example, the business card of Toko Downtown in Dubai, one of the best Japanese restaurants, spells out the culture and modern art that the interiors of the restaurant carry. The marbling painting technique and modern subculture create a bright and rich visual for the restaurant brand. You can use a similar approach for your high-fashion store.

You can also use custom-made flat illustrative designs with peppy colors to make them look more tempting. Don’t know how to design illustrations? Get a dedicated designer and unlimited graphic designs for just $399 per month from Design Shifu . Don’t shy away from funky-looking graffiti that resonates with your audience. Most brands stick with red and yellow because these colors evoke hunger.

Photography business cards

Use a gold foil business card for your professional photography business. Using canvas material gives depth to the textures you print on these cards. 

This business card is a great example of how textures and patterns can marry each other to create simplicity and style. The middle of the card has a clean cut to create a blank canvas for the contact information. 

Real Estate Business Card Examples

The design output of the business cards completely depends on what persona you create for the brand. For something as versatile as real estate, you can opt for a clean, sleek, and professional-looking card that depicts luxury and finesse. Or you can stand out with an unusual cut-out business card just like the ones from King of Condos to leave a mark on your potential customers.

Personal Business Card Examples

If you are an independent creative professional, such as a florist, photographer, designer, decorator, or baker, your business card must depict your style. Add personalized messages or content on your business card to create a first-person interaction with your consumer. You can add depth to these visit cards by creating a repeating background with your logo. Give a glimpse of your talented portfolio to build more trust. When you design a personal business card, make sure to include your name.

Professional Business Card Examples

Welcome your customers to the new age of digital business cards . Stand out from the rest and create a customized digital card that will take your marketing game to the next level. These cards are easy to design. The best part is you can change them anytime you want without discarding a batch. Add a QR code and showcase your social media pages or an existing online portfolio for potential customers’ reference. 

Artist Business Card Examples

Create dramatic and eye-catching designs in your preferred genre of art to wow your potential customers. Give them a taste of your work by making your business card one of your masterpieces. 

Boutique business card examples

You would be surprised to see what two contrasting colors can do to a design. The mix of the soft pastel pink with the deep earthy green gives a Yin-yang element to the design and makes it look more cohesive. The synergy of the color pairing is unreal. You can adopt the approach to create your own color combinations and templates .

Business Card Etiquette

You cleared the first step in communicating your brand’s message to your potential customer, however, the several seconds you spend while sharing the business card and the actions you take in this tiny span of time, speak volumes about the kind of impression you want to leave. 

A lot of things can be taken into consideration and not a lot of preparation is required, but following some basic etiquette while sharing or receiving business cards, can help you build an excellent rapport and network.

• Always carry extra: While trying to expand your business you never know when the opportunity strikes, hence make sure you don’t embarrass yourself in a situation where you might actually be introducing yourself to a potential network/customer but you forgot your business card at home!
• Keep the cards within reach: You must be swift and smooth while exchanging cards. You don’t want to fumble or rifle through a dozen things looking for your business card. It hampers your positive and confident impression.
• Have fresh cards: Do not share cards that have faded out, are crinkled, or are old. Your business cards are the sole communicator of your brand/store; hence they need to look fresh and new. A little attention to detail can take you a long way.
• Maintain eye contact and don’t interrupt: You are likely to have a conversation with the person you exchange your business cards with. A good rule of thumb is 50/70 where you keep eye contact 50% of the time that you speak and 70% when listening. Do not interrupt the other person’s line of thought or speech. It is considered rude. 
• Send cards with products: If you are to hand over certain samples of your products or other brand materials to a client, make sure you always include the business card in the package.

How can you design your own business card?

It is not rocket science to develop your own business card designs. However, a few tips can amplify the design:

Design a template

Several online design software are available for free. You can create your own template or edit an existing one from the software library to design your business cards. However, we recommend you design your own templates to keep them unique.

• Choose an appropriate font for your business card. The endless number of options can be overwhelming but always stick to your brand bible.
• Include imagery/graphic elements/illustrations etc depending on your brand aesthetics, services, and products.
• Include essential details like the name, contact information, address, email, logo, and social media page links.
• If you are confused, do not have much time, and require help, connect with professional brand designers and digital artists. These professionals will analyze your brand from top to bottom and provide you with the best creative solution and design for your business cards. 

Alternatively, you can also subscribe to Design Shifu and get unlimited graphic designs made by a dedicated designer to take care of all your design needs. 

Making your business card personal to you and your branding is one of the unique ways of leaving powerful and memorable impressions in your first interaction. Before you pick and choose from the plethora of business card examples, brainstorm and define your brand. 

You can keep it as simple as you want or go crazy with the design; it depends on the message you wish to deliver to your audience. We have done our part by providing you with the best possible examples of the designs that are in trend. The next step is yours!

DESIGN SHIFU

Read design shifu's articles and profile., privacy overview.

Press ESC to close

Or check our popular categories....

Visiting Card Format: Everything About Designing A Business Card

You know what a business card is and you now want to design one. this could be for yourself or for your employees..

You want to design your business card. This could be for yourself or for your employees.

The purpose of a business card is to help you network better. So while designing one, you must make sure that it looks both professional and creative.

This will help your business card to catch the recipient’s eye. And increase the chances of your contact being saved on their phone.

So it becomes very important to know what all to include in your business card. And how to format it.

And in this article, we will show you how to make an ideal business card.

A. What to include in a business card

Making a business card is simple and easy. But it’s not only about your contact information.

You obviously want your business card to be referable. And to achieve this, here are some things you need to know about visiting card format:

1. Highlight skillset

It is very important to know the purpose of your business card. Established businessmen are generally selective of who gets information regarding their phone number and job title. And hence strategize details accordingly.

Including a few of your special skills on a business card will let people know what your expertise is. But do not squeeze in a whole resume as that will make your business card overwhelming.

For example, say you are a graphic designer who is well versed with the latest technology. So, you can mention special skills such as excellent IT skills with design and photo-editing software on your business card.

2. Put updated contact information

A business card with incorrect contact information is useless. If you are switching jobs, make sure that the business card has updated information.

Also try to give as many contact details as possible such as email ID, phone number, business location, and social media accounts to connect with.

3. Keep it simple

Readability is the key to an ideal business card. Do not use card formats, which are overwhelming. And makes it impossible to see where one piece of information starts and ends.

4. Make your business card hi-tech

You usually add a website to your business card. This is to provide helpful content about your business. But how many people do you actually think type your website on their browser and then search for you ? Not many, right?

And by adding a QR Code, you can make your business card actionable. QR Codes are advanced barcodes, which are easily scannable with a smartphone (via native camera or third-party scanning apps).

There are two ways you can do this:

a. Website URL QR Code

All you need to do is link your website in a QR Code . Upon scanning, your clients will be redirected to your website.

And in case, you do not have a website and want to provide useful content.

Now, how do you do that? Here is the second way.

b. Rich Text QR Code

A Rich Text QR Code links to a landing page provided by the service provider that can host unlimited information.

In the landing page, which is linked to a QR Code, you can add multiple layers of information such as text, graphics, social media sharing handles, buttons, and images. Plus, you can format the content the way you want to.

For example, you can write a welcome note and add buttons with multiple URLs such as Homepage, Pricing, and Support on a single mobile-optimized landing page.

You now simply need to print this QR Code on your business card. And write a help note such as ‘Scan to know more about us’.

Another thing is you can customize the QR Code by adding your brand logo and color. This practice will definitely attract more scans.

Custom QR Code

Custom QR Codes attract 50%-200% more scans than generic black-and-white ones. So, if you want to maximize the number of scans, consider adding design to the QR Code.

Upon scanning, the end-users will be redirected to this page.

Another advantage is you can actually track the scanning activity of QR Code. And get data based on date, district, city, and device from which the QR Code was scanned. 

In addition to this, you can also see how your end-users are interacting with the encoded content after scanning the QR Code. For example, are they interacting with the Visit Homepage button, Pricing button, or even Support button once they scan the QR Code.

Further, you can even edit the content encoded in a Rich Text QR Code anytime you want. And to do that, you won’t have to recreate the QR Code. This is possible because the Vcard QR Code is dynamic in nature .

Adding a QR Code will make your business card tech-savvy and modern. And also help your clients to easily access your website.

So keep the above things in mind while designing your business card.

Also here is a tip: Always carry a good number of business cards with you all the time. It is unprofessional to suddenly run out of business cards in the middle of a meeting.

For example, if you are attending a conference of 1,000 people, then bring about 200 business cards with you.

Plus, always keep a stack of business cards in your car. This will help you grab them just in case you run out.

B. How to format your business card

In this section, we will detail on how to format your business card to make it the ideal one.

1. Standard size and dimensions

Most standard visiting cards are landscape and rectangular. Sizes and shapes may vary. But your business card must fit the ideal standards. This is important to make sure that it prints correctly.

Standard dimensions for business cards in the US are 88.9 x 50.8 mm (3.5 x 2 inches). And those for business cards in Europe are 85 x 55 mm.

In case, you want a vertical visiting card, you simply need to switch the page width and height. It will ensure that you don’t have to rotate the card to see the design every time you make edits.

2. Add adequate bleed area

The bleed area is the region, which runs over the trim edge that marks the final size of a business card. Or it is the region that goes beyond the edge of your design.

You must make sure that the bleed area in your visiting card format is 3 mm (0.12 inches) wide. This is important to ensure the perfect printing of cards.

In fact, keep the bleed area color the same as that of the background. This will ensure that the bleed area is not distinctly visible after actual printing. Also, make sure that the document page size is equal to the card size plus the bleed area

3. Organise visiting card elements

Decide what elements you want to include in the business card. Here are the important elements that are a must on your business card:

Name of business

You can write the name of your element either in text form or can be displayed prominently in the logo.

Tagline/brief description

Adding a tagline is a great way to brand your company. You can create a tagline using tagline maker . 

You can write it in Italics to highlight it on your business card.

If your company has a physical outlet, mentioning it will prove incredible. If you are an online service provider, then including your email address will be enough.

Website address

You can include your website address with or without the preceding URL (https://).

Contact information

It is important to give your name, phone number, and designation on your business card. But typing your contact details and adding them to their phonebook can be tedious for the clients.

A Vcard QR Code added to the business cards can make the task easier. As recipients scan it, it prompts them to save you as a contact with a single click.

This means they don’t need to tediously type your contact details on their phone. All that they need to do is—scan and save.

This makes your business card hi-tech. And also helps you network better by making it easier for your recipients to save you as a contact.

For more information, you can refer to this detailed guide .

So, once you finalize visiting card elements, design a text and visual hierarchy to set an appropriate visiting card format.

Think where you’d like the recipients’ eye to land first. And plan a hierarchy to systematically guide them through your details.

4. Make sure the font is legible

This is one of the most important aspects of a visiting card format. You must make sure that the font is large enough to be legible.

The best practice is to keep the details larger than 12pt font. And always avoid using a font size smaller than 8pt.

The ideal fonts to use on a business card are Helvetica, Myriad Pro, Glasgow, and Karat.

You can also use thermography, embossing, and foil stamping printing processes to make your card visually appealing.

Here is a tip: If you are in the Human Resource department , you can outline the text, which will remain the same (such as company name). And leave the editable text (such as employee name) as such.

5. Create a striking design

Use creative visuals to make your business card stand out. You can do it by making your visiting card design minimalist, hi-tech, or even conceptual.

Just keep in mind which industry you’re targeting, and choose your visiting card design accordingly.

For example—elegant designs work the best for industries such as jewellery and wine.

6. Finalize the material

The material of your business card actually helps build your brand image. So think about the material you want to print your business cards on.

You can print it on:

• Paper : You can use thick, matte, or even glossy paper. And experiment with numerous colors
• Plastic : Transparent plastic visiting cards are one of the latest visiting card design options today. They’re durable and waterproof. And diffuse as light passes through
• Stainless Steel : Stainless steel visiting cards have more unique cuts or designs as their edges are tough and don’t rip out that easily
• You can also use anything like steel, wood, or even fabric. Just give your business card a one-of-a-kind look

That’s it. That is all you need to know about visiting card format. You can now create your own visually appealing and tech-savvy visiting card in order to catch the recipient’s eye.

Still have queries? Let us know in the comments section.

Categorized in:

Share Article:

Yashika Tangri

Yashika Tangri is our amazing marketing manager who works out of Trycon Technology’s Noida office. Her name means success and fame, and there’s no doubt that she has lived up to it. At work, Yashika is one of the finest organizers of all things digital marketing. She’s an inspiration to her colleagues through her positive actions and work ethics. Back in 2018, Yashika decided to pursue a career in marketing, being a lifelong student of science. After work, you can find her creating new Spotify playlists. An avid reader, she hatches an escape from reality by reading mythology books.

Great post. Earlier, I never realized that designing my own business card will be so tough. But, I got a lot of help after reading your post. Now, I have designed a paper as well as a digital business card with the help of various apps available on the internet. Thanks for sharing.

Much obliged to you for the all-around clarified data. It’s extremely useful that there are articles like this to help how we handle it, Keep sharing.

Hi, We are glad you liked the article.

Nice! The information I got through this blog has really helped me in understanding this good quality of the business card. That was something, I was desperately looking for, thankfully I found this at the right time

Hi, Glad that you found the article helpful.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Articles

Rise of clone qr code: the ultimate guide to rapid qr code deployment, qr code with dots: the power of qrs with a touch of style, can you make qr codes in different shapes explore the power of scanova, qr code generator with analytics: a complete guide.

Creating Visiting Cards with Word: A Step-by-Step Guide

Visiting cards, also known as business cards, are a fantastic way to promote yourself or your business. they play a crucial role in making a lasting impression on potential clients or colleagues. while there are numerous design software options available, microsoft word offers a convenient and user-friendly platform to create stunning visiting cards..

Why use Microsoft Word?

Microsoft Word is a versatile program that most people are already familiar with, making it accessible to everyone. It provides a wide range of design tools and features, allowing you to customize your visiting cards to suit your preferences. Additionally, Word offers convenient templates, saving you time and effort.

• Step 1: Open Microsoft Word

To begin creating your visiting cards, open Microsoft Word on your computer. If you don’t have it installed, you can easily download it from the official Microsoft website.

• Step 2: Set the Page Size

Visit the “Page Layout” tab in Word and select “Size” to set the page size for your visiting cards. Typically, visiting cards have a standard size of 3.5×2 inches. Choose the “More Paper Sizes” option if your desired size is not available in the preset list.

• Step 3: Visit the Templates Section

Next, go to the “File” tab and click on “New” to access the templates section. In the search bar, type “Visiting Cards” to explore the available templates.

• Step 4: Choose a Template

Browse through the templates and select the one that aligns with your style and preferences. Word offers various designs, colors, and layouts to choose from. Remember, you can always customize the template later to make it truly unique.

• Step 5: Customize the Template

Once you’ve selected a template, it’s time to personalize it with your information. Click on the text boxes and replace the placeholder text with your name, contact details, business name, and any other information you want to include. Experiment with different fonts, colors, and sizes to match your branding.

• Step 6: Add Logo or Image (Optional)

If you have a logo or an image that represents your business, you can add it to your visiting card. Simply click on the placeholder image or logo space and replace it with your own. Adjust the size and position to ensure it fits well within the layout.

• Step 7: Check and Edit

Before proceeding further, review your visiting card carefully. Check for any errors in spelling or contact information. Ensure all the text is properly aligned and visually appealing. Make any necessary edits or adjustments to achieve the desired look.

• Step 8: Print the Visiting Cards

Once you’re satisfied with the design, it’s time to print the visiting cards. Use high-quality cardstock or professionally designed visiting card paper for the best results. Adjust the printer settings according to your needs and print a test page before printing the final batch.

Creating visiting cards with Microsoft Word is a simple and effective way to promote yourself or your business. With its diverse range of design tools and user-friendly interface, Word allows you to design professional -looking visiting cards without the need for complicated software. Customize your cards to showcase your unique style, and make a lasting impression on everyone you meet.

How helpful was this article?

Free templates of visitingcard

0 results for "visitingcard"

Explore the most complex flipbook maker

Get started for free and upgrade to use Flipsnack's premium features

This website uses cookies

The cookies we use on Flipsnack's website help us provide a better experience for you, track how our website is used, and show you relevant advertising. If you want to learn more about the cookies we're using, make sure to check our Cookie policy

We use essential cookies to make our site work for you. These allow you to navigate and operate on our website.

Performance

We use performance cookies to understand how you interact with our site. They help us understand what content is most valued and how visitors move around the site, helping us improve the service we offer you.

Advertising

We use marketing cookies to deliver ads we think you'll like. They allow us to measure the effectiveness of the ads that are relevant for you.

We’re sorry, but Freepik doesn’t work properly without JavaScript enabled. FAQ Contact

• Notifications
• Go back Remove
• No notifications to show yet You’ll see useful information here soon. Stay tuned!
• Downloads 0/60 What is this?
• My collections
• My subscription

Find out what’s new on Freepik and get notified about the latest content updates and feature releases.

• Business card
• Business card template
• Business card design
• Business card free
• Tarjetas de presentacion
• Bussines card
• Free business card templates
• Visiting card design
• Visiting card mockup

Visiting Card

• Add to collection
• Save to Pinterest

• logo design
• corporate logo

• creative business card
• modern business card
• black visiting card

• business card
• ready print
• business card printing

• blank paper
• blank business card

• business card mock
• visiting card mockup
• business card mockup

• creative card
• corporate card

• paper stack

• colorful logo
• gradient logo

• minimal business card
• vertical business card
• creative visiting card

• business name card
• business card template

• cards visiting card
• business card cards
• white business card

• black business card

• professional business card

• art exhibition
• art template

• office card
• abstract card

• simple visiting card

• geometric business card

• blue business card
• elegant business card

• abstract business card
• logo business card
• business card visiting card

• flat banner
• gradient banner
• flat abstract

• visiting card

• leaflet template
• gold business card

• business card background

• graphic design
• graphic card

• company template

• contact card

• black and white business card

• techno music
• music festival

• branding identity

• business card texture

• card mockup

All Formats

• Graphic Design

Card Templates

18+ visiting card templates – doc, pdf, psd, eps.

Professional use of the card templates finds its expression in visiting cards. Those of you who have just started with your new business can make different kinds of visiting cards that are available online. For shares and stock business you can make your Trading Card Templates . Designation along with your name has to be put in the template to make it look concrete.

Free Visiting Card Vector

Digital Visiting Card Template

Dj Visiting Card Design Template

Photography Visiting Card Vector

Visiting Card Design Template

Sample Visiting Card Template

Modern Visiting Card PSD Template – $6

Metro Flat Business Visiting Card PSD Template Download

Give-away Resume Visiting Card Template Free Download

Rainbow Digital Visiting Card Free Download

White Blue Visiting Card PSD Template

Download Visiting Card Mockup Template – $3

Print Design Visiting Card PSD Template Download

Locksmith InDesign Visit Card PSD Template

Stylish Vintage Visiting Card Template – $6

Printable Mini Visiting Card Digital file – $19

Simple Visiting Card EPS Illustrator for $6

Premade Pink custom Visiting Card for $15

More in Card Templates

• 130+ Christmas Greeting Card Templates – Free PSD, EPS, AI, Illustraion Format Download!
• 4+ Recruitment Business Card Templates in PSD | AI
• 10+ Medical ID Card Templates
• 4+ Retirement Greeting Card Templates in PSD | AI
• 10+ Agency DL Card Templates in AI | InDesign | Word | Pages | PSD | Publisher
• 10+ Direct Mail Postcard Templates in AI | Word | Pages | PSD | Publisher | InDesign
• 9+ Preschool ID Card in Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher
• 11+ Animal ID Card in Illustrator | InDesign | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher
• 15+ Designer Business Card in Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher | InDesign
• 11+ Sports ID Cards in Illustrator | InDesign | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher
• 10+ Editable Office ID Card Template | Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher
• 9+ School Report Card in MS Word | Illustrator | Photoshop | Editable PDF | Numbers | Pages | Excel | Publisher
• 11+ Agent ID Card in Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher | InDesign
• 10+ Membership ID Card in Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher
• 7+ Emergency ID Card in Illustrator | MS Word | Pages | Photoshop | Publisher

File Formats

Word templates, google docs templates, excel templates, powerpoint templates, google sheets templates, google slides templates, pdf templates, publisher templates, psd templates, indesign templates, illustrator templates, pages templates, keynote templates, numbers templates, outlook templates.

Visitor ID Card

From a business perspective, providing visitor ID cards to people who only come once or twice in the office, such as visitors, is more feasible than providing an employee ID card with their personal information on it. Creating a visitor ID card is a hassle task, for it requires time and skill to generate a high-quality design ID card or a big amount of money to hire someone to do it if yourself. Worry no more because we handpicked some of our best Visitors ID Cards Examples and Templates for your convenience. You may check and choose the template that suits best to your needs and preferences below.

Visitors ID Cards Examples and Templates – Illustrator, MS Word, Pages, Photoshop, Publisher

1. visitor id card template.

• Illustrator

Size: 2.13×3.39 inches

Security is a big factor in a company’s expenses since a security breach may result in consequences such as property loss or damage. As a solution, some companies invest in security consultation for additional security. Also, limiting the people who have access to certain areas of the premises also plays a vital role in securing your properties, and requiring visitors to wear an ID is one way to make it happen. Strengthen the security of your premises by using our Visitor ID Card Template . With our template, you can easily create your visitor ID card and customize it according to your preference.

2. School Visitor ID Card Template

Did you know that as part of safety and security measures , in the 2015-2016 school year,  94% of America’s public schools were locking and monitoring the school building’s doors during school hours? Security is a very critical matter in an edifice, especially in an educational institution, where the population consists mostly of young students. To ensure the security of the entire school population, everyone’s identification must be verified. With the help of our professionally designed School Visitor ID Card Template , you may easily generate your creative ID card for all the visitors who come into your school, which is completely customizable.

3. Visitor Access ID Card Template

Try our skillfully designed Visitor Access ID Card Template for your premises. Whether it is for school, private, or commercial building, your properties will be safer with our ID card template . This sample uses an outline that everyone can easily identify the ID’s labels. We also use high-quality images, artworks, and fonts to make sure that its contents are clear. You may also customize it to adhere to the requirements of your building.

4. Hospital Visitor ID Card Template

Size: 2.38×3.64 Inches

In a hospital, security risks also mean health risks for the patients. That’s why outsiders must not be allowed to go inside the hospital except to the patients’ visitors and the people with important business proposals or meetings to the hospital, which require a visitor card. Try our ready-to-print Hospital Visitor ID Card Template for your visitor ID card. Designed to have an eye-catching title with suggestive content, the template will be easier to spot the visitors on the premises and to observe their actions.

5. Printable Visitor/Guest ID Card Template

With several people going in and going out of your company for important matters, it’s inevitable to be worried about the employee welfare, workplace safety , and security of your properties. Therefore, it is recommended to verify the identification of the visitors and to require them to wear a visitor ID card before entering the premises. Try our professionally designed Printable Visitor/Guest ID Card Template, which you can easily download in any file format.

6. Free Blank ID Card Template

Are you looking for a free guest ID card template that would help you manage the accessibility of your company? Try our Free Guest Blank ID Card Template . Our budget-friendly template is easy and customizable so that you may change its font style, colors, and layouts according to your preference. It is also ready-to-print and downloadable to any file formats so you can create your own guest blank ID card in no time without spending a dime. Get to use this sample ID card template to make your designing process easier.

7. Free Simple Blank ID Card Template

Requiring visitors to wear an ID while doing business within a property lessens the possibility of unauthorized people accessing and roaming around your property since there are instances that some outsiders can bypass the security undetected. With that being said, try out our Free Guest Simple Blank ID Card Template . Intended for small and big companies and institutions, you can easily generate your own guest ID card without spending money, which can serve as a big help with your business financial plan . You can also customize this template according to your preferred file formats.

8. Free Vertical Blank ID Card Template

In business, security is one of the things that is being looked upon, for it can greatly affect the business’ expenses. It may also affect its credibility, which is also a bad impression to the clients. That is why it is important to have a security plan on avoiding security breaches and implement it strictly. Prohibiting outsiders to access the premises is one of the best practices in strengthening the security of a company. With our Free Guest Vertical Blank ID Card Template, you can create a professionally designed guest ID card for your company without hurting your company’s budget. All you need to do is download it in a format you are most familiar with then customize it according to your preference.What are you waiting for? Get our editable ID card templates today!

AI Generator

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

10 Examples of Public speaking

20 Examples of Gas lighting

Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World

Read our research on:

Full Topic List

Regions & Countries

• Publications
• Our Methods
• Short Reads
• Tools & Resources

Read Our Research On:

Key facts about U.S. immigration policies and Biden’s proposed changes

Since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, his administration has acted on a number of fronts to reverse Trump-era restrictions on immigration to the United States. The steps include plans to boost refugee admissions , preserving deportation relief for unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. as children and not enforcing the “ public charge ” rule that denies green cards to immigrants who might use public benefits like Medicaid.

Biden has also lifted restrictions established early in the coronavirus pandemic that drastically reduced the number of visas issued to immigrants. The number of people who received a green card declined from about 240,000 in the second quarter of the 2020 fiscal year (January to March) to about 79,000 in the third quarter (April to June). By comparison, in the third quarter of fiscal 2019, nearly 266,000 people received a green card.

Biden’s biggest immigration proposal to date would allow more new immigrants into the U.S. while giving millions of unauthorized immigrants who are already in the country a pathway to legal status. The expansive legislation would create an eight-year path to citizenship for the nation’s estimated 10.5 million unauthorized immigrants , update the existing family-based immigration system, revise employment-based visa rules and increase the number of diversity visas . By contrast, President Donald Trump’s administration sought to restrict legal immigration in a variety of ways, including through legislation that would have overhauled the nation’s legal immigration system by sharply reducing family-based immigration.

The Biden administration has proposed legislation that would create new ways for immigrants to legally enter the United States. The bill would also create a path to citizenship for unauthorized immigrants living in the country.

To better understand the existing U.S. immigration system, we analyzed the most recent data available on federal immigration programs. This includes admission categories for green card recipients and the types of temporary employment visas available to immigrant workers. We also examined temporary permissions granted to some immigrants to live and work in the country through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status programs.

This analysis relies on data from various sources within the U.S. government, including the Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of State, Federal Register announcements and public statements from the White House.

The Senate is considering several immigration provisions in a spending bill, the Build Back Better Act , that the House passed in November 2021. While passage of the bill is uncertain – as is the inclusion of immigration reforms in the bill’s final version – the legislation would make about 7 million unauthorized immigrants eligible to apply for protection from deportation, work permits and driver’s licenses.

Amid a record number of migrant encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border, Biden reinstated in December 2021 a Trump-era policy that requires those who arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border and seek asylum to wait in Mexico while their claims are processed. Biden had earlier ended the Migration Protection Protocols , or “Remain in Mexico” policy, and then restarted it after the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lawsuit by Texas and Missouri that challenged the program’s closure. Asylum seekers do not receive a legal status that allows them to live and work in the U.S. until the claim is approved.

Overall, more than 35 million lawful immigrants live in the U.S.; most are American citizens. Many live and work in the country after being granted lawful permanent residence, while others receive temporary visas available to students and workers. In addition, roughly 1 million unauthorized immigrants have temporary permission to live and work in the U.S. through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and Temporary Protected Status programs.

Here are key details about existing U.S. immigration programs, as well as Biden’s proposed changes to them:

Family-based immigration

In fiscal 2019, nearly 710,000 people received lawful permanent residence in the U.S. through family sponsorship. The program allows someone to receive a green card if they already have a spouse, child, sibling or parent living in the country with U.S. citizenship or, in some cases, a green card. Immigrants from countries with large numbers of applicants often wait for years to receive a green card because a single country can account for no more than 7% of all green cards issued annually.

Biden’s proposal would expand access to family-based green cards in a variety of ways, such as by increasing per-country caps and clearing application backlogs. Today, family-based immigration – referred to by some as “ chain migration ” – is the most common way people gain green cards, in recent years accounting for about two-thirds of the more than 1 million people who receive green cards annually.

Refugee admissions

The U.S. admitted only 11,411 refugees in fiscal year 2021, the lowest number since Congress passed the 1980 Refugee Act for those fleeing persecution in their home countries. The low number of admissions came even after the Biden administration raised the maximum number of refugees the nation could admit to 62,500 in fiscal 2021 . Biden has increased the refugee cap to 125,000 for fiscal 2022, which started on Oct. 1, 2021.

The low number of admissions in recent years is due in part to the ongoing pandemic. The U.S. admitted only about 12,000 refugees in fiscal 2020 after the country suspended admissions during the coronavirus outbreak . This was down from nearly 54,000 in fiscal 2017 and far below the nearly 85,000 refugees admitted in fiscal 2016, the last full fiscal year of the Obama administration.

The recent decline in refugee admissions also reflects policy decisions made by the Trump administration before the pandemic. Trump capped refugee admissions in fiscal 2020 at 18,000 , the lowest total since Congress created the modern refugee program in 1980.

Employment-based green cards

In fiscal 2019, the U.S. government awarded more than 139,000 employment-based green cards to foreign workers and their families. The Biden administration’s proposed legislation could boost the number of employment-based green cards, which are capped at about 140,000 per year . The proposal would allow the use of unused visa slots from previous years and allow spouses and children of employment-based visa holders to receive green cards without counting them against the annual cap. These measures could help clear the large backlog of applicants. The proposed legislation also would eliminate the per-country cap that prevents immigrants from any single country to account for more than 7% of green cards issued each year.

Diversity visas

Each year, about 50,000 people receive green cards through the U.S. diversity visa program , also known as the visa lottery. Since the program began in 1995, more than 1 million immigrants have received green cards through the lottery, which seeks to diversify the U.S. immigrant population by granting visas to underrepresented nations. Citizens of countries with the most legal immigrant arrivals in recent years – such as Mexico, Canada, China and India – are not eligible to apply.

The Biden administration has proposed legislation to increase the annual total to 80,000 diversity visas. Trump had sought to eliminate the program .

In fiscal 2019, more than 188,000 high-skilled foreign workers received H-1B visas . H-1B visas accounted for 22% of all temporary visas for employment issued in 2019. This trailed only the H-2A visa for agricultural workers, which accounted for nearly a quarter (24%) of temporary visas. In all, nearly 2 million H-1B visas were issued from fiscal years 2007 to 2019.

The Biden administration is expected to review policies that led to increased denial rate s of H-1B visa applications under the Trump administration. In addition, Biden has delayed implementing a rule put in place by Trump that sought to prioritize the H-1B visa selection process based on wages, which would have raised the wages of H-1B recipients overall. Biden also proposed legislation to provide permanent work permits to spouses of H-1B visa holders. By contrast, the Trump administration had sought to restrict these permits. The Trump administration also created an electronic registration system that led to a record number of applicants for fiscal 2021.

Temporary permissions

A relatively small number of unauthorized immigrants who came to the U.S. under unusual circumstances have received temporary legal permission to stay in the country. One key distinction for this group of immigrants is that, despite having received permission to live in the U.S., most don’t have a path to gain lawful permanent residence. The following two programs are examples of this:

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

About 636,000 unauthorized immigrants had temporary work permits and protection from deportation through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA, as of Dec. 31, 2020. One of Biden’s first actions as president was to direct the federal government to take steps to preserve the program , which Trump had tried to end before the Supreme Court allowed it to remain in place . DACA recipients, sometimes called “Dreamers,” would be among the undocumented immigrants to have a path to U.S. citizenship under Biden’s immigration bill. Senators have also proposed separate legislation that would do the same.

Temporary Protected Status

Overall, it is estimated that more than 700,000 immigrants from 12 countries currently have or are eligible for a reprieve from deportation under Temporary Protected Status, or TPS , a federal program that gives time-limited permission for some immigrants from certain countries to work and live in the U.S. The program covers those who fled designated nations because of war, hurricanes, earthquakes or other extraordinary conditions that could make it dangerous for them to live there.

The estimated total number of immigrants is based on those currently registered, in addition to those estimated to be eligible from Myanmar – also called Burma – and Venezuela.

Immigrants from Venezuela and Myanmar are newly eligible for TPS under changes made after Biden took office in January 2021 by the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the program. The government must periodically renew TPS benefits or they will expire. The department extended benefits into 2022 and beyond for eligible immigrants from nine nations: El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. In addition, the Biden administration expanded eligibility for immigrants from Haiti based on recent turmoil.

Biden and congressional Democrats have proposed granting citizenship to certain immigrants who receive TPS benefits. Under Biden’s large immigration bill, TPS recipients who meet certain conditions could apply immediately for green cards that let them become lawful permanent residents. The proposal would allow TPS holders who meet certain conditions to apply for citizenship three years after receiving a green card, which is two years earlier than usual for green-card holders. By contrast, the Trump administration had sought to end TPS for nearly all beneficiaries, but was blocked from doing so by a series of lawsuits.

Note: This is an update of a post originally published March 22, 2021.

• Citizenship
• Family Reunification
• High-Skilled Immigration
• Immigration & Migration
• Legal Immigration
• Political Issues
• Refugees & Asylum Seekers
• Visas & Employment

How Temporary Protected Status has expanded under the Biden administration

After declining early in the covid-19 outbreak, immigrant naturalizations in the u.s. are rising again, how the political typology groups compare, most americans are critical of government’s handling of situation at u.s.-mexico border, most latinos say u.s. immigration system needs big changes, most popular.

1615 L St. NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20036 USA (+1) 202-419-4300 | Main (+1) 202-857-8562 | Fax (+1) 202-419-4372 |  Media Inquiries

Research Topics

• Age & Generations
• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Economy & Work
• Family & Relationships
• Gender & LGBTQ
• International Affairs
• Internet & Technology
• Methodological Research
• News Habits & Media
• Non-U.S. Governments
• Other Topics
• Politics & Policy
• Race & Ethnicity
• Email Newsletters

ABOUT PEW RESEARCH CENTER  Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of  The Pew Charitable Trusts .

Copyright 2024 Pew Research Center

Terms & Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie Settings

Reprints, Permissions & Use Policy