how do you get a visa to live in america

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview:

• Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt ...
• Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 confirmation page.
• Application fee payment receipt, if you are required to pay before your interview.

More items...

Full Answer

How to apply for a visa to the United States?

Apply for a visa. The process of applying for a visa will vary depending on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you apply. Follow the specific instructions for the country that you’re in. In general, you will need: To complete online form DS-160, the nonimmigrant visa application form. A photo. A visa application fee.

What do you need to know about US visas?

U.S. Visas. 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.

What does it mean to enter the US with a visa?

Entering the United States. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.

How can a foreign citizen immigrate to the United States?

Foreign citizens wishing to immigrate and live permanently in the U.S. must comply with U.S. visa immigration laws, and specific procedures to apply for visas. At DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for immigration matters, including naturalization.

How can I live in the USA legally?

To immigrate to the United States means to relocate permanently by obtaining a green card (officially known as an “immigrant visa” or “lawful permanent residence”). A green card allows unrestricted employment and can be renewed indefinitely. It also provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship.

How much is a visa to live in America?

US Nonimmigrant Visa Application FeesVisa typeCostNon-petition Based Visas$160Petition Based Visas$190E Visas$205K Visas$265

Can a foreigner live in the United States?

Foreign citizens wishing to immigrate and live permanently in the U.S. must comply with U.S. visa immigration laws, and specific procedures to apply for visas. At DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for immigration matters, including naturalization.

How can I permanently stay in USA?

Apply for a Green Card If you are eligible, file Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees. USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you. Once issued, your Green Card will be valid for 10 years.

Can I move to USA without a job?

Some permanent work visas that do not require a job offer and a sponsor in the United States are the EB-1, O-1 and EB-5 visas.

How difficult is it to move to USA?

You can come to the US legally if a family member (including a new spouse) sponsors you, an employer sponsors you, or you are seeking asylum as a refugee. The next step is submitting the relevant applications and paperwork, which could take as many as six months to process.

What is the easiest way to immigrate to USA?

Immediate relatives are spouses of US citizens, parents of US citizens, and unmarried minor children of US citizens. There is no limit on the number of visas available each year for immediate relatives. Being a US citizen's spouse is the fastest, easiest way to immigrate to the US.

How long can I stay in America without a visa?

90 daysThe Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department, permits citizens of 40 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.

How much money do I need to move to America?

The cost to immigrate to the US including the entire process will be around $4000 to $12,000. When an individual applies with the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS), you need to pay several fees.

Who can sponsor me in USA?

Who You Can Help ImmigrateWho Can Sponsor WhoWho You AreImmigrants You Can PetitionU.S. citizenMarried children or adult childrenU.S. citizen age 21 or olderBrothers and sistersU.S. permanent residentUnmarried children4 more rows

What is a Green Card vs visa?

The key difference between the two is that US visas allow the bearer to enter the country and stay for a certain period of time for a specific purpose, while a Green Card is a permit for immigrants that grants permanent residency in the United States.

How long can you stay in America without a Green Card?

The Normal Rule. The quick answer to the question of how long a visitor can lawfully stay in the United States for most people is six months.

How much does a 10 year US visa cost?

How much does a U.S. Multiple Entries Visa R B1/B2 cost? The cost for U.S. 10 YEAR MULTIPLE VISA FEES AND APPLICATION R B1/B2 is USD 160.00. NOTE : Additional fees may be added by the United States government after you receive your visa and interview.

How much is it to get a work visa for USA?

You must also pay a nonrefundable visa processing fee of $190 (USD). Keep the receipt of this fee payment as well, as it is required for your interview. Once you have submitted your application and have paid the fee, you need to schedule a visa interview at your local US embassy or consulate.

How much does a green card cost?

How much does it cost to apply for a green card? The government filing fees for getting a family-based green card is $1,760 for an applicant living in the United States or $1,200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

How much does a visa cost in Colombia?

The fees for VISMUL Visa - valid for 90 days, is approx. 81 USD; and the fees for VISMUL - Business Visa - valid for 180 days, is approx. 81 USD. The applicant can enter and exit multiple times during the validity period of Visa.

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.

How to contact USCIS for travel documents?

without obtaining one, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for assistance: United States: Call 1-800-375-5283; for TTY dial 1-800-767-1833. Abroad: Contact the nearest USCIS international office or a U.S. Embassy or consulate.

What is a green card?

A Green Card (Permanent Resident Card): Gives you official immigration status in the United States. Entitles you to certain rights and responsibilities. Is required if you wish to naturalize as a U.S. Citizen. If you have questions about applying for, renewing, or replacing a Green Card, contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

How to get a document authenticated?

The process to get a document authenticated depends on the specific document, the state in which it was issued, and other factors. Check with your state’s document authentication agency. Also, visit the Authentications page from the Department of State (DOS).

What is an O-1 visa?

The O-1 visa is for people who can be described as an ‘individual with extraordinary ability or achievement”. But who is extraordinary? Apparently, you are super special if you have recognized achievements and national or international acclaim. You must also show you have or do business (i.e are making money) from your achievements, preferably within America. There doesn’t seem to be a limit to the fields you can be extraordinary in and it quite common with scientists, athletics, artists, and actors. Freelancers and well-known bloggers are also another categories, however, I have been told they are getting far stricter on this.

How long is a J1 visa good for?

J1 Summer Visa- students will use this to work or intern in America. It is for a maximum of four months and recent changes have come into place that you now need a job set up before moving over. You must be currently enrolled in a third level degree.

What is a visa for a foreigner?

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States. If you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or a paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record. Learn more about admissions and entry requirements, restrictions about bringing food, agricultural products, and other restricted/prohibited goods, and more by reviewing the CBP website.

Where to schedule a visa interview?

You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.

How often do you update your biographical information on a Chinese passport?

In accordance with the agreement signed between the United States and China to extend visa validity, beginning on November 29, 2016, Chinese citizens with 10-year B1, B2 or B1/B2 visas in Peoples’ Republic of China passports will be required to update their biographical and other information from their visa application via a website every two years, or upon getting a new passport or B1, B2, or B1/B2 visa, whichever occurs first. This mechanism is called EVUS - Electronic Visa Update System.

What happens after a visa interview?

After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. The consular officer will inform you if this required.

How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?

Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States – Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).

Can a visa be voided?

Under U.S. law, visas of individuals who are out of status are automatically voided ( Section 222 (g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ). Any multiple entry visa that was voided due to being out of status will not be valid for future entries into the United States.

Do you need an interview for a visa?

Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.

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 do you need to demonstrate at an immigrant visa interview?

Financial Support. At your immigrant visa interview, you must demonstrate to the consular officer that you will not become a public charge in the United States.

What is a business visitor visa?

This business visitor visa is known as a nonimmigrant visa which is available for individuals approved to participate in work and study-based exchange visitor programs, including by business sponsors. This permit allows visitors to experience life in the US before returning to their home countries.

What is a permanent resident?

Permanent residents, other known as green card holders, are non-US citizens who are authorized to live and work permanently in the United States. Many people obtain their green card through a family based green card or employment based green card. Each year many applicants are awarded green cards in employment based categories.

How many sections are there in the green card?

The employment based category is divided into five sections: EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4, and EB-5. If you are interested in working in the US, you may be eligible to obtain a Green Card under one of these categories.

What is an H2 visa?

The H2-A visas are available for foreign agricultural workers who want to work in the United States on a seasonal or temporary basis, provided that there is a shortage of domestic American workers.

How much can an international entrepreneur invest?

International entrepreneurs who can invest $1,000,000 and create at least ten new full-time jobs. It is possible in certain limited situations that an investment of $500,000 if it creates at least five new jobs, may be acceptable. If you are an employer (or prospective employer) and you want to sponsor a foreign worker to become a permanent resident based on a permanent job offer, you and the foreign worker need to go through a multi-step process to become a sponsoring employer.

How long is a passport valid for?

Passport (s) valid for 60 days beyond the expiration date printed on the immigrant visa.

What is a visa for employment?

The visa provides entry to the U.S. and , depending on the type of visa obtained, may provide authorization for employment in the U.S.

What is a work visa?

What's a U.S. work visa and why do you need one? A visa is a document that provides authorization for travel to and admittance to the United States. Before visiting, working, or immigrating to the U.S., generally a citizen of a foreign country must first obtain a U.S. visa. 1 .

What is the annual green card lottery?

The annual green card lottery program ( Diversity Immigrant Visa Program) is an opportunity for potential immigrants to obtain the status as a permanent legal resident of the U.S. 5 

Start Here

When applying for immigration status to permanently move to the U.S. you begin with a petition to USCIS.

Complete Your Visa with the U.S. State Department

After the visa petition is approved at DHS/USCIS, it moves to the National Visa Center (NVC) at the U.S. Department of State for visa pre-processing. This organization collects fees, reviews documents and schedules interviews. Personnel at the NVC will contact the applicant with instructions on completing their formal visa application.

Special Situations

There are some special situations where the law provides for foreign citizens to move to the United States. This includes the the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), which is an inter-agency effort, the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State to increase the number of Iraqi refugees admitted to the United States.

How to lodge a visa online?

Most visa applications can be lodged online by creating an ImmiAccount. This is our preferred method of visa lodgement to helps us process your application faster.

How to check visa details?

You can check visa details and conditions through Visa Entitlement Verification Online system ( VEVO ).

How long does it take to get an ETA notification?

You may need to wait up to 12 hours after applying to receive your notification. You can also confirm if your application has been approved by checking your visa status through the AustralianETA app (if you applied through the app) or by using the Check an ETA function.

How to know if you have an ETA?

After you have applied for an ETA, you should wait for a written notification which will be sent to you by email. In most cases, you will be notified of the result of your ETA application immediately. Sometimes there will be a delay before receiving your notification.

What to do if your Australian visa has not been finalised?

If your Australian visa has not been finalised and you would like to withdraw your application you will need to advise us of this in writing. You can complete the form 1446 and attach it to your ImmiAccount .

Can an ETA be processed without further information?

If you have been notified that your ETA cannot be processed or approved without further information, you can: Use the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) Request for further processing form to contact an Australian Visa Office and provide information so we can consider whether you are eligible for an ETA.

Can I apply for a visa for Australia if I have a no further stay?

If your current visa includes a ‘No Further Stay’ condition, you can submit a request to waive this condition and if this is approved , you may lodge an application for a further visa while you are in Australia . Information on how to request a waiver can be found at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/already-have-a-visa/check-visa-details-and-conditions/waivers-and-permissions/no-further-stay-waiver.