Key Steps for Obtaining an Immigrant Visa
- 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.
- In most cases, someone must sponsor you or file an immigrant petition for you.
- Wait until the petition is approved and a visa is available in your category. Then apply for an immigrant visa. ...
- Get a medical examination.
- Go to an interview.
- Wait for a decision on your application.
How to become permanent resident in the US?
- (1) File Form 1485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status;
- (2) Pay applicable fees set forth in Supplement A of Form 1485;
- (3) File Form G325A Biographic Data Sheet (between the ages 14 and 79);
How to get permanent work visa in the United States?
You will need to submit six supporting documents with your Form I-765 to get a Work Permit:
- A copy of your passport photo page
- A copy of your current U.S. ...
- A copy of your original Form I-94 travel record (front and back), or a printout of your electronic I-94, from your most recent entry into the U.S. ...
- Copies of any of your previous work permits (front and back)
Why do people immigrate to the US?
People immigrate to the US for a better life, more work opportunities, to get an education and to reunite with family. In 2017, about 1 million new immigrants came to live in the US, the majority coming from India, Mexico, China, and Cuba.
How can I immigrate to the United States?
- passport
- travel itinerary
- dates of your recent visits to the United States
- résumé or CV
- your I-129 (if you are getting a nonimmigrant work visa)
- SEVIS ID (if you are a student)
- additional information if requested
How can I permanently live 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 you live in the US with a visa?
Visas. The third primary way for non-U.S. citizens to lawfully live or work in the U.S. is through a visa. There are two kinds of U.S. visas: non-immigrant and immigrant. Non-immigrant visas are for travel to the U.S. on a temporary basis.
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 can I move to the USA to live in?
Move to the United StatesImmigrant Visa Process. Follow the steps to apply for a visa. Immigrant Visa Process.Check Your Case Status. Check the status of your case online. Check Case Status.Check Case Processing Times. Check the average time it takes to process benefit requests. Check Processing Times.
How can I move to America 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.
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
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.
Can I sponsor my friend to USA?
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.
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.
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 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 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 long can you live in the U.S. with a visa?
When you enter the U.S., a customs officer will give you authorization to stay in the U.S. for up to six months. If you'd like to stay for longer, you may be able to apply to extend this for up to one year.
Can you live in the U.S. without being a citizen?
Nonimmigrant Visas. 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.
Can you live in the U.S. without a green card?
Requirements for a USA trip 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.
Can I live in the U.S. while waiting for my green card?
Some people can stay in the U.S. for the entire period of applying for a U.S. green card. Others must leave the U.S., either while they wait for a visa to become available (which can take years in some cases) or in order to attend their immigrant visa interview, which is the last major step in the immigration process.
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 many visas are given to skilled foreigners every year?
Every year 65,000 visas are given to technically skilled foreign nationals. You could be the next one. Every year in the last week of April, they announce results through lottery. If the number of applications are less than 65,000 . Then there will be no lottery.
How to enter the US and live happy forever?
Most efficient and easiest way to enter the United State and live happy forever. The only thing you have to do is find a US citizen or a green card holder for you. In this world of technology, it is not tough to find someone in the United States.
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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 to get a green card for H1B?
Either apply for a H1B work visa and then get a green card through labor certification as described in the student example, or apply for an EB-2 extraordinary worker green card based on a national interest waiver.
What is family preference visa?
Family Preference – these visas are for specific, more distant, family relationships with a U.S. citizen and certain specified relationships with a lawful permanent resident. The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year. Processing takes longer, usually for years—sometimes decades.
How long does it take to get a visa for a spouse?
The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited each fiscal year. Processing is done expeditiously—usually taking say around a year or so.
Who can get green cards?
Follow the path of international achievers like Drake or Ryan Renolds who can get green cards because of their achievements. These usually involve individuals who have won internationally recognized awards like an Oscar, Grammy, or Pulitzer Prize or have risen to the very top of their profession or calling. Generally speaking, such extraordinary ability applicants are celebrities in their field.
Can a spouse get a green card?
If an applicant does not fit into any one of these ways, sometimes a spouse may have the required credentials. Either way the immediate family members of the applicant also get green cards in the process. The descriptions above are very general—any option so chosen should be further researched to nail down all the details involved.
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What form do I need to file for an alien relative?
To successfully complete the process, the U.S. citizen petitioner (i.e. the sponsor) must submit: A completed Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative . (Note: You do not need to file a separate Form I-130 for your sibling’s spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age.) A copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your sibling's birth ...
What happens if I file a denial letter for a visa?
If the visa petition you filed is denied, the denial letter will tell you how to appeal and when you must file the appeal. After your appeal form and the required fee are processed, the appeal will be referred to the Board of Immigration Appeals. For more information, see the How Do I Guides section.
What is a copy of my birth certificate?
A copy of your birth certificate and a copy of your sibling's birth certificate showing that you have at least one common parent. Evidence that you are a U.S. citizen, such as: A copy of your valid U.S. passport, OR. A copy of your U.S. birth certificate, OR. A copy of Consular Report of Birth Abroad, OR.
Can I apply for a visa if I am married and have children?
In addition, your spouse and/or children will not have to wait any extra time for a visa number to become available. In this case, you may simply notify a U.S. consulate that you are a permanent resident so that your spouse and/or children can apply for an immigrant visa.
Can my spouse and children apply for a visa?
In addition, your spouse and/or children will not have to wait any extra time for a visa number to become available. In this case, you may simply notify a U.S. consulate that you are a permanent resident so that your spouse and/or children can apply for an immigrant visa.
Can I file an I-824 for my spouse?
If you are in the United States and have not yet filed to adjust your status to permanent resident, you can file Form I-824 for your spouse and/or child overseas with your Form I-485. When concurrently filing Form I-824, it does not require any supporting documentation.
Can I get a nonimmigrant visa if I have an I-130?
In most instances, the beneficiary of a pending or approved immigrant visa will not be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa, although certain exceptions may apply. For more information, see the Adjustment ...
Can a spouse get a K-3 visa?
Nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) - It is important to note that application for the nonimmigrant visa for spouse (K-3) who married a U.S. citizen must be filed and the visa must be issued in the country where the marriage took place. After the visa process has been completed, and the visa is issued, the spouse can travel to the United States to wait for the processing of the immigrant visa case. Two petitions are required: Petition for Alien Relative, Form I-130, and Petition for Alien Fiancé (e), Form I-129F. Learn more.
Can I get same sex visa as opposite sex spouse?
Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS. ...
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 is 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 ).
What is a B visa?
After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for a change of status to student (For M) status prior to the start of your program.
What does 999 days mean?
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.
What happens if you fail to leave the US on time?
Failure to depart the United States on time will result in being out of status. 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.
How far in advance can you get a student visa?
New Students – Student (F and M) visas for new students can be issued up to 120 days in advance of the start date for a course of study. However, you will not be allowed to enter the United States on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date.
What is the purpose of a consular interview?
A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive a student visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.
