Immigrant visas are processed and issued by the U.S. Consulate in a foreign country. If you received your Green Card by applying for permanent resident status after you entered the United States, then you did not enter with an immigrant visa.
Full Answer
Do I need a visa to enter the US?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
What types of visas does the United States provide for immigrants?
The United States provides for immigrant visas based on family ties, employment, adoption, special immigrant categories, and the diversity visa. Click on the icons below to learn more.
How difficult is it to enter the US on an immigrant visa?
The majority of people entering on immigrant visas are admitted to the United States with little or no difficulty. Still, the entry inspection process can take time, sometimes hours, so allow plenty of time between connecting flights.
Can a foreign national apply for a nonimmigrant visa to USA?
However, foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States to study or work may require certain authorization and documentation prior to applying for a nonimmigrant visa. For an alphabetical listing all of the nonimmigrant visa classifications and specific requirements refer to the USCIS website. or the U.S. Department of State website.
Did you enter the United States with an immigrant visa meaning?
An immigrant visa (IV) is issued to a person wishing to live permanently in the United States.
How do you answer did you enter the United States with an immigrant visa?
When you need to answer the question, “Where did you apply for your immigrant visa or adjustment of status?” you can list the city and country of the U.S. Embassy or consulate where you applied for your immigrant visa. This is the acceptable answer for someone in your situation.
Is immigrant visa same as green card?
Immigrant visas can start the process for permanent resident status, but they do not provide resident status themselves. A green card is a physical card that represents the holder's right to permanently live and work within the United States.
Can you travel with immigrant visa?
If your visa has the annotation “IV Docs in CCD”, you will NOT receive a sealed packet. This is because your case is an electronic immigrant visa application, and you may travel with just your passport and valid visa.
Where did you apply for your immigrant visa or adjustment of status meaning?
“Adjustment of status” means the applicant was already in the U.S. under another immigration status when the application was filed for the green card. Part 3, Item 2: Location where your immigrant visa was issued or USCIS office where you were granted adjustment of status.
How do you answer immigration interview questions?
Answer all questions fully, succinctly, and truthfully, but do not volunteer information unless asked. If you're unsure of the answer or do not understand a question, you should always say so rather than guess.
What does an immigrant visa mean?
An immigrant visa is issued to a foreign national who intends to live and work permanently in the United States. In most cases, a relative or employer sponsors the individual by filing an application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the 3 types of immigrant visas?
Immigrant Visa CategoriesImmediate Relative & Family SponsoredVisa CategorySpouse of a U.S. CitizenIR1, CR1Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petitionK-3 *Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.K-1 *Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. CitizensIR3, IH3, IR4, IH411 more rows
How long is immigrant visa valid for?
You must arrive in and apply for admission to the United States no later than the visa expiration date printed on your visa. An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months.
How long does it take to get green card after immigrant visa?
It may take up to 90 days from the date you entered to receive your permanent resident card. You entered the U.S. using your immigrant visa, You paid the immigrant visa fee AFTER you entered, It may take up to 90 days from the date you made your payment to receive your permanent resident card.
What happens after immigrant visa interview?
At the end of your immigrant visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, the consular officer will inform you whether your visa application is approved or denied. Visa approval - When approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
What documents do you need to enter the US?
You must meet the following requirements to travel to the United States:You have a valid passport or Green Card.You have a valid ESTA or US visa that matches your passport data (not applicable to Green Card holders).You do not pose a threat to the USA or the American people.You are not subject to an entry ban.More items...
What questions do they ask at immigrant visa interview?
Each consular officer will ask different questions as the circumstances dictate.Initial Meeting. How did you meet your spouse? ... Biographic Information. What is your spouse's birthday? ... Residence. Where does your spouse live? ... Education and Employment Status. ... Cultural Background. ... Common Interests. ... Prior Marital Status. ... Family.More items...
What is immigrant and non immigrant?
In short, the United States grants an immigrant visa to people that intend to work and live permanently in the United States and issues a nonimmigrant visa to people who are temporarily visiting the U.S. for tourism, medical treatment, temporary work, school and other reasons.
What questions are asked in visa interview?
The commonly asked questions for US Visitor visa interview are the following:What is the purpose of your visit to the US? ... Have you been to the US before? ... Do you have relatives or friends currently in the US? ... Details on your friends / relatives in the US. ... Where will you be residing in the United States?More items...
What is immigrant visa interview?
A consular officer will interview you (and accompanying family member beneficiaries) and determine whether or not you are eligible to receive an immigrant visa. As part of the interview process, ink-free, digital fingerprint scans will be taken.
What does it mean when your passport is stamped?
If all goes well, your passport will be stamped to show your status as a lawful permanent resident ( or lawful conditional resident if you're immigrating based on a marriage that is less than two years old).
Where does the CBP check your identity?
This inspection normally takes place at the first U.S. airport at which you land, even if your ultimate destination is somewhere else.
Do you need to carry X-rays from medical exam?
You should also hand-carry your X-rays from your medical exam if they were given to you, as the X-rays do not fit in the packet. (In the near future, after late 2019, this process might change, and all immigrant visa file documents will be transmitted electronically, eliminating the need for the paper packet.)
When do you pay for an immigrant visa?
The best time to pay the fee is after you pick up your immigrant visa from the U.S. consulate, before you leave for the United States. When you receive your immigrant visa, you’ll get a sealed packet of documents to give officials at the U.S. port of entry.
What is an immigration visa?
Immigrant visa for permanent residency Permanent Residency: the U.S. immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work permanently in the United States.
What is the visa for a non-US citizen?
Some of the most commonly requested visas are: Immigrant visa for permanent residency Permanent Residency: the U.S. immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work permanently in the United States. Fiancé (e) visa to marry your U.S. citizen fiancé (e), and live, in the U.S.
How long does a passport last in the US?
The documents you need and whether your passport needs to be valid for six months after your travel dates depend on the country you are arriving from and your citizenship or status. Open All +.
How many people get green cards a year?
About a million people a year receive Green Cards, designating them as new permanent residents of the United States. Many of those people arrive in the U.S. through an immigrant visa.
What to do if you are a refugee?
If you believe you need protection as a refugee, contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or another international nonprofit volunteer agency. If these organizations are unavailable to you, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.
What is the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative?
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative covers travel by land, sea, or air from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda: American citizens entering the U.S. must show a valid passport, U.S. passport card, a Trusted Traveler Program card (NEXUS, SENTRI, Global Entry or FAST), or an enhanced driver’s license.
What are the two categories of visas?
There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States.
Who can petition on behalf of an individual?
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Certain applicants such as workers with extraordinary ability, investors, and certain special immigrants can petition on their own behalf.
Can you travel to a foreign country with a round trip ticket?
Be in possession of a round-trip ticket that will transport the individual out of the United States to any other foreign port or place as long as the trip does not terminate in contiguous territory or an ; except that the round trip ticket may transport the traveler to contiguous territory or an , if the traveler is a resident of the country of destination or if arriving at a land border, provide evidence of financial solvency and a domicile abroad to which the traveler intends to return;
What is a U.S. Visa?
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.
Find out what visa type is appropriate for you
The type of visa you must obtain is defined by U.S. immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.
Visa Appointment Wait Time
A wait time listed as "999 calendar days" indicates that the Consular Section is only providing that service to emergency cases. Please check the Embassy or Consulate website for further information.
Where is the visa affixed?
Your visa will be affixed inside your passport. Please verify the information contained both on the visa and on the letter stapled of the package to ensure that the information is correct. If not, please contact us.
How long can you stay in the US without a reentry permit?
Without a re-entry permit, any absence from the US of 12 months or longer, or any residence established outside the US, is considered grounds for loss of permanent resident status. Please review the rights and responsibilities of being a Legal Permanent Resident in the United States.
How long does it take to get an alien card?
It normally takes several months for DHS to process and send the alien registration card to you. In the interim, the passport stamp permits employment and travel until the card arrives. You may depart and return to the US before you receive the alien registration receipt card, as long as the DHS stamp in you passport has not expired. Should you wish to leave the US and your stamp has expired and you have not yet received your alien card, you should contact DHS in the US BEFORE departure to ensure permission to return to the US. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to board the plane to return to the US.
What is the form I-151?
Once you have received your immigrant visa, you must enter the United States within the visa validity period to obtain an alien registration receipt or “green” card (Form I-151 or I-551) that will allow you to live and work in the United States. You will receive your visa and a sealed packet from the courier service.
How long do you have to live outside the US?
If, in the future, you plan to live outside the US for more than 12 months , you must apply for a re-entry permit in the US BEFORE departure. The maximum validity of this document is two years. If the relocation is permanent, you should formally abandon your permanent resident status by returning your “green card” with completed I-407 form (PDF-653KB) to the local US Embassy or Consulate. Without a re-entry permit, any absence from the US of 12 months or longer, or any residence established outside the US, is considered grounds for loss of permanent resident status.
Do you have to open a sealed visa packet?
Do not open the sealed visa packet, you must carry it unopened to an immigration officer at a port-of-entry.
What happens if your visa is approved?
If your visa is approved, you will be informed how and when your passport and visa will be returned to you.
How long do you have to wait to apply for a visa?
serious illnesses, injuries, or deaths in your immediate family), before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants should wait at least 180 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. .
How long is an immigrant visa valid?
An immigrant visa is usually valid for up to six months from the date of issuance unless your medical examination expires sooner, which may make your visa valid for less than six months. Entering the United States.
Does USCIS issue a permanent resident card?
Please Note: USCIS will not issue a Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551 or Green Card) until you have paid the fee.
Do I have to pay the USCIS immigration fee?
You must pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) after you receive your immigrant visa and before you travel to the United States. Only children who enter the United States under the Orphan or Hague adoption programs, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants, returning residents (SB-1s), and those issued K visas are exempt from this fee. Please visit the USCIS website for more information and to pay the fee.
