How do you apply for an immigrant visa?
- 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. ...
Why are immigration visa wait times so long?
We’ve established that visa wait times grow because there is a statutory limit on the number of green cards the government may issue each year. But there’s more. In addition to that, U.S. immigration law says no more than seven percent of all immigrant visas can be given to people of one country in a given year.
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 do I get a visa to the United States?
- A scanned copy of host’s ID / passport
- Evidence of means of subsistence (if the host will financially support the guest)
- Proof of home / flat ownership or rental contract
- Flight itinerary for US visa application – You can submit dummy ticket as proof of flight itinerary.
What are the 4 kinds of immigrants?
When people ask “what are the four types of immigration?” what they actually mean is “what are the four immigration statuses?” and not “what are the four types of immigration?” The four immigration statuses include citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
What are the 3 types of immigrant visas?
Foreign nationals can apply for various kinds of immigrant visas, including immediate relative visas, family preference visas, diversity visas, and employment-based visas.
Is an immigrant visa the same as a green card?
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.
Who can get an immigrant visa USA?
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 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.
What is B1 and B2 visa?
B1 and B2 visas are generally referred to as “B visas”, and they are the most common types of visa issued for a wide range of uses in the United States. The B1 visa is issued mainly for short-term business trips, while the B2 visa is issued mainly traveling for tourism purposes.
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.
Can I work with an immigrant visa?
If you have the right combination of skills, education, and/or work experience, you may be able to live and work permanently in the United States by seeking an employment-based immigrant visa.
How long does it take to get an immigrant visa?
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.
How much is immigrant visa fee?
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
How do I get an immigrant visa?
Essential Steps to Get an Immigrant VisaIn 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.
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.
What are the 5 types of immigrants?
OVERVIEW OF TYPES OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.NATURALIZED CITIZEN.LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT (LPR)CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT.April 1, 2013.SUMMARY OF FAMILY-SPONSORED VISAS.VAWA SELF-PETITIONER.SPECIAL IMMIGRANT JUVENILE (SIJ) STATUS.More items...
What is a qualified immigrant visa?
An immigrant visa allows a qualified applicant with an approved petition to reside in the US permanently. A nonimmigrant visa is granted to individuals visiting the US for purposes such as business, vacation, medical treatment and more.
What are two categories of immigrants?
Classification of admission category of immigrant1 - Economic immigrant. ... 2 - Immigrant sponsored by family. ... 3 - Refugee. ... 4 - Other immigrant.
What is an Immigrant Visa?
In simplest terms, an immigrant visa is a visa for a foreign individual who wishes to make the United States his or her permanent home. Being granted permanent residence is commonly referred to as getting a “green card.”
What are the two categories of visas?
Although there are many subcategories, U.S. visas fall into two basic categories: immigrant and nonimmigrant visas . Determining which type of visa is appropriate to your situation and successfully navigating the process can be complicated, and consulting an experienced immigration lawyer should be your first step.
How does immigration work?
The immigration process is commenced by the filing of a petition on behalf of the person hoping to become a legal resident of the U.S . The exact process differs somewhat depending on the type of immigrant visa requested. For example, a family-based case begins with the submission of Form I-130, petition for Alien Relative. An employment-based case is typically commenced by the filing of form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker.
How old do you have to be to get a visa?
Unmarried children of a U.S. citizen who are under the age of 21. Other qualified relatives such as brothers, sisters and children who are married or aged 21 or older may have to wait for a visa to become available, as do relatives of permanent legal residents of the U.S.
Can a green card holder apply for an immigrant visa?
A current green card holder may apply for an immigrant visa for his or her:
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 determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying. When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate.
What does a consular officer determine when applying for a visa?
When you apply at a U.S embassy or consulate, a consular officer will determine based on laws, whether you are eligible to receive a visa, and if so, which visa category is appropriate. ALL / ALL /.
What is a K visa?
K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
How to apply for an immigrant visa?
To be considered for an immigrant visa under some of the employment-based categories below, the applicant's prospective employer or agent must first obtain a labor certification approval from the Department of Labor. Once received (if required), the employer then files an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the appropriate employment-based preference category. (NOTE: Persons with extraordinary abilities in the Employment First preference category are able to file their own petitions.) When filing the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, see the detailed form instructions, as well as more detailed requirements information on the USCIS Permanent Workers webpage.
How long do you have to wait to get an immigration visa?
Immigrant visas cannot be issued until an applicant's priority date is reached. In certain heavily oversubscribed categories, there may be a waiting period of several years before a priority date is reached. Check the Visa Bulletin for the latest priority dates.
What is the third preference for immigrants?
A Third Preference applicant must have an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, filed by the prospective employer. All such workers generally require labor certification approved by the Department of Labor. Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) receive 28.6 percent of the yearly worldwide limit of employment-based immigrant visas, plus any unused visas from the Employment First Preference and Second Preference categories.
Why do immigration cases take so long?
Employment based immigrant visa cases take additional time because they are in numerically limited visa categories. The length of time varies from case to case and cannot be predicted for individual cases with any accuracy. Some cases are delayed because applicants do not follow instructions carefully. Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the consular officer interviews the applicant.
Where does the NVC send the visa application?
NVC then sends the file, containing the applicant’s petition and the documents listed above, to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where the applicant will be interviewed for a visa. The applicant, attorney, and third-party agent, if applicable, will receive appointment emails, or letters (if no email address is available), containing the date and time of the applicant's visa interview along with instructions, including guidance for obtaining a medical examination.
What form do I need to file for an alien worker?
The prospective employer must provide a job offer and file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, with the USCIS.
Is the USCIS fee refundable?
Note: Fees must be paid for each intending immigrant, regardless of age, and are not refundable. Fees should not be paid to the NVC or paid at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you have your visa interview unless specifically requested.
How to apply for a visa for a foreigner?
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. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may wish to review our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to learn about the different types of immigrant visas to the United States, including our Diversity Visa Program. Then, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process, or on the Diversity Visa Process, on usvisas.state.gov to begin applying for an immigrant visa.
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.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
Non-immigrant visas are temporary visas for the purpose of business, work or tourism. If you are planning to travel to the United States for a temporary stay, you may need a visa. The chart below lists all the non-immigrant visas, descriptions and any required documents/applications.
What is USCIS approval?
USCIS approval of a petition or application (The required petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to apply for.) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. USCIS approval of a petition or application (The required petition or application depends on the visa category you plan to apply for.)
Family-Based Immigrant Visas
Employment-Based Immigrant Visas
- Certain categories of workers may be eligible for permanent residence based on their employment or a job offer. However, unlike family-based visas, all employment-based immigrant visas are subject to limits. That means that the person hoping to become a legal resident will have to wait until an immigrant visa number becomes available. Immigrant visa numbers are issued t…
Other Immigrant Visa Qualifications
- There are certain special programs that open up eligibility for a green card to persons who do not fall into one of the categories above. If you are interested in immigrating to the U.S., bringing a family member who is not listed above to the U.S. or establishing residence for an employee who is not otherwise listed, speak with an immigration attorney to learn more about the alternative ro…