how to get an immigrant visa in the us

• In most cases, someone must “sponsor” you, or file an immigrant petition for you.
• Once the petition is approved, and there is a visa available in your category, you apply for an immigrant visa. You do this through a U.S. consulate abroad. ...
• Get a medical examination.
• Go to an interview.
• You’ll then receive a decision on your application.

What are the requirements for an immigrant?

• Be arriving on designated carrier that is signatory to a Visa Waiver Program Agreement, if applicable;
• Have a machine-readable passport valid for 6 months beyond the period of intended stay, or essentially 9 months (90 days + 6 months). ...
• Complete an Arrival/Departure Form I-94W. ...

What are the requirements to be an US citizen?

citizenship requirements

• U.S. citizenship requirements. A lawful permanent resident is someone who is not a citizen but is allowed to live in the USA. ...
• Naturalization categories. You must be a lawful permanent resident (LPR) or green card holder for at least 5 years. ...
• Dual citizenship. You do not have to give up your citizenship in the country of your origin in the USA. ...

How to legally immigrate to the US?

• Obtain the Police Clearance Certificate from the authorities that issues passports in your country. Without this you won’t even be allowed to enter the consular premises.
• Complete a medical examination from a panel of physicians approved by the Embassy of your country.
• Complete the DS-260 online, available from the website https://ceac.state.gov/ceac. ...

How to emigrate and move to another country?

Moving or retiring abroad

• Tell your council. You need to contact your local council if you move or retire abroad, and give them a forwarding address.
• Benefits. You need to tell the relevant benefits offices that deal with your benefits that you’re moving abroad.
• Pensions. You need to contact the International Pension Centre. ...
• Student loans. ...
• Tax. ...
• Voting and citizenship. ...

How long does it take to get immigrant visa USA?

Generally speaking, a fair timeframe is approximately 6-10 months from the filing of the immigrant petition to approval at the U.S. Consulate. Timeframes can vary depending on backlogs of cases at both the USCIS and the U.S. Consulate abroad.

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.

Who is eligible for immigrant visa?

To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa.

How much does it cost to get a US immigrant visa?

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fees (non-refundable, per person)Immediate relative and family preference applications (processed on the basis of an approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition)$325.00Employment-based applications (processed on the basis of an approved I-140 or I-526 petition)$345.002 more rows

Who can sponsor me in USA?

Who You Can Help ImmigrateWho Can Sponsor WhoWho You AreImmigrants You Can PetitionU.S. citizen (at least age 18, for financial sponsorship purposes)Minor, unmarried childrenU.S. citizenMarried children or adult childrenU.S. citizen age 21 or olderBrothers and sisters4 more rows

What are the 4 types of immigrants?

These Are the Four Types of Immigration Statuses in the US. When immigrating to the US, there are four different immigration status categories that immigrants may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.

How long can you stay in the US with an immigrant 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.

Can a friend sponsor me to US?

The U.S. immigration laws do not allow you to sponsor someone just because they are your friend. If a person seeks to enter the U.S. through a family member, the person entering the U.S. must have a financial sponsor.

Who can sponsor an immigrant?

All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support. When and how do I file the affidavit of support? You do not need to file it with your I-130 petition.

How much does it cost to sponsor an immigrant?

Mandatory FeesGreen Card CostsFamily Sponsorship Form (I-130)$535$535Green Card Application Form (I-485)$1,140Not requiredFinancial Support Form (I-864)$0$120Work Permit Application Form (I-765) (optional)$0Not required7 more rows

What is the minimum income to sponsor an immigrant 2021?

For example, in 2021, a sponsor in the U.S. mainland would need to have income (or assets) of at least $33,125 to cover a petitioner who lives alone and is sponsoring one immigrant and two children (that is, a total of four people).

How can I stay in USA?

To clear up any confusion about that system, we thought it was worthwhile to break down—briefly and objectively—the three main ways non-U.S. citizens can legally come to and stay in the United States: citizenship, lawful permanent residency and visas.

Can you 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 much do I need to invest in US to get green card?

The standard minimum investment amount has increased to $1.8 million (from $1 million) to account for inflation. The minimum investment in a TEA has increased to $900,000 (from $500,000) to account for inflation.

How hard is it to immigrate to the US?

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.

Can I buy a U.S. citizenship?

Investors can obtain US citizenship, however, it is better to use a US passport when traveling abroad to maintain status. If a person wants to get another citizenship after the American one, he will lose his US passport. Details about the difference between second and dual citizenship.

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 visa?

A visa is a stamp or document in your passport that gives you the right to travel to the US. We help handle application processing for US Immigrant Visas, reducing errors and boosting your chances of visa acceptance.

How long does it take to get a permanent visa after marriage?

Immediate Relative (IR-1) Visa: After two years of marriage, you can gain permanent status without the conditions of the CR-1 visa.

What is a spouse visa?

The two types of spouse visas include: Conditional Resident (CR-1) Visa: Your permanent resident status will be considered conditional if you have been married for less than two years at the time you enter the US on an Immigrant Visa.

How long is a green card valid?

Some Immigrant Visas do not contain an expiration date, but the majority are valid for 10 years.

How many F-1 visas are there?

F-1 Visa: The F-1 visa is given to unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their minor children. There’s an annual cap of 23,400 visas available, which is why there’s a long waiting list than other visas.

How long is a US citizenship visa valid?

A re-entry permit is required If your trip will last longer than 1 year. Immigrant Visas holders can apply for US citizenship after five years of living in the United States as a permanent resident.

What is the visa for adopting a child?

If you’re a U.S. citizen planning to adopt a child from overseas, then you would apply for an IR-3, IH-3, IR-4, or IH-4 visa. These four visas apply to different children in different parts of the world:

How to get an immigrant visa for a child?

To begin the immigrant visa process, prospective adoptive parents submit forms and documents to USCIS. After USCIS reviews the paperwork, a case is assigned to the U .S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where the child resides. All children adopted abroad require an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before coming to reside permanently in the United States. The Embassy or Consulate schedules the final visa interview once all required documents have been provided. The Department of State is committed to processing immigrant visas for adopted children expeditiously. Keep in mind, however, that the time required to issue your child's visa will depend on the specific circumstances in his or her country of residence. To learn more about the immigrant visa process, review our How to Adopt web page and overviews of the Convention and non-Convention visa processes.

Where do you get a visa for a child?

Visas are issued at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the foreign country where a child resides. Since a child being adopted abroad by a U.S. citizen parent (s) will usually be brought to live in the United States, that child will need an immigrant visa.

Do children adopted abroad need a visa?

All children adopted abroad require an immigrant visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before coming to reside permanently in the United States. The Embassy or Consulate schedules the final visa interview once all required documents have been provided.

What determines the type of student visa you need?

Your course of study, the school you plan to attend, or the exchange program you will be with will determine the type of student visa you will need.

What is an F-1 visa?

F-1 visa classification is for a full-time international student pursuing academic studies.

What is ESTA in travel?

Fill out the (ESTA) online application. ESTA determines the eligibility of a visitor to travel to the U.S. under the VWP.

What is transit C visa?

Transit C visa classification is for foreign nationals traveling through the U.S. to another country and stopping briefly in the U.S. as part of their travel to the next foreign destination.

What happens if you violate your work visa?

If you violate the terms of your work visa, it could be revoked. You could be deported, arrested, or denied re-entry into the U.S.

Can an international student apply for a student visa?

An international student can apply for a student or exchange visitor visa only after being accepted by a school certified in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Students’ records are kept in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Learn more about SEVP and SEVIS, and about the SEVIS fee.

Do you need an authorization to travel under VWP?

If you plan to visit the U.S. under the VWP, you must get an approved travel authorization prior to your trip. Authorization approvals are determined using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) .

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

How to contact India visa?

For visa inquiries, the best and fastest way to communicate is to email to [email protected] or call the call center during business hours to speak to a representative.

Can a foreigner apply for an immigrant visa?

To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative (s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa.