diff --git a/swh/model/hypothesis_strategies.py b/swh/model/hypothesis_strategies.py
--- a/swh/model/hypothesis_strategies.py
+++ b/swh/model/hypothesis_strategies.py
@@ -174,6 +174,7 @@
         dict,
         visit=integers(1, 1000),
         origin=urls(),
+        type=optional(sampled_from(["git", "svn", "pypi", "debian"])),
         status=sampled_from(["created", "ongoing", "full", "partial"]),
         date=aware_datetimes(),
         snapshot=optional(sha1_git()),
diff --git a/swh/model/model.py b/swh/model/model.py
--- a/swh/model/model.py
+++ b/swh/model/model.py
@@ -323,6 +323,8 @@
         validator=attr.validators.in_(["created", "ongoing", "full", "partial"]),
     )
     snapshot = attr.ib(type=Optional[Sha1Git], validator=type_validator())
+    # Type is optional be to able to use it before adding it to the database model
+    type = attr.ib(type=Optional[str], validator=type_validator(), default=None)
     metadata = attr.ib(
         type=Optional[ImmutableDict[str, object]],
         validator=type_validator(),