Immigrant Visa Categories
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen | IR1, CR1 |
| Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approv ... | K-3 * |
| Fiancé (e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live ... | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children ... | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored | Visa Category |
|---|---|
| Fiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S. | K-1 * |
| Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. Citizens | IR3, IH3, IR4, IH4 |
| Certain Family Members of U.S. Citizens | IR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F4 |
What are the different types of immigration visa?
Visas are available, provided the requirements are met, as follows (caps are noted):
- Family First Preference (F1): Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. ...
- Family Second Preference (F2): Spouses, minor children, and unmarried sons and daughters (age 21 and over) of LPRs (Lawful Permanent Residents). ...
- Family Third Preference (F3): Married sons and daughters of U.S. ...
- Family Fourth Preference (F4): Brothers and sisters of U.S. ...
What are the types of immigration?
What Are the Four Types Of Immigration?
- Citizens. A citizen is someone who pledges allegiance to the United States and who is given certain inalienable rights as granted by the United States Constitution.
- Residents. A resident, also known as a lawful permanent resident, is someone who has been granted the right to indefinitely live within the United States.
- Non-Immigrants. ...
What are the types of visa status?
Visa Classifications That Allow You To Work In The United States. Visa Classification. Definition. E1, E2. Treaty trader or treaty investor. F-1. Foreign academic student, when certain conditions are met. H-1B, H-1C, H-2A, H-2B, H-3.
How many work visas is given to immigrants?
U.S. temporary foreign worker programs, sometimes referred to as guest worker programs, have more than doubled in size in recent decades: more than nine hundred thousand visas were granted in 2019 [PDF], up from some four hundred thousand in 1994.
What are the 4 types of immigrants?
To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented.
What are the 5 types of immigrants?
There Are Many Different Types Of Immigration Status. As An Immigrant, You Might Be One Of The Following:United States Citizen. If you were born in the United States, you are a U.S. citizen, even if you were raised in another country. ... Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) ... Temporary Visitor. ... Undocumented Immigrant.
How many immigrant visas are there?
The INA allows the United States to grant up to 675,000 permanent immigrant visas each year across various visa categories. On top of those 675,000 visas, the INA sets no limit on the annual admission of U.S. citizens' spouses, parents, and children under the age of 21.
What are the 3 types of immigration?
When immigrating to the US, there are four different immigration status categories that immigrants may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
What is a F11 visa?
F11. Unmarried son or daughter of U.S. citizen.
How long is an immigrant visa valid for?
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.
Can you work in the US 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.
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 is F1 f2 f3 f4 visa?
U.S. immigration law allows certain foreign nationals who are family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (get a Green Card) based on specific family relationships.
Is green card an immigrant visa?
Green cards are technically a type of visa that allows for permanent residence. Green cards are issued after arrival in the United States. To qualify for a green card, the applicant must have an immigrant visa already, and applications are made to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the 2 types of immigrants?
internal migration: moving within a state, country, or continent. external migration: moving to a different state, country, or continent.
What are the 2 types of immigrants?
There are 2 types of immigrants: those who look back, and those who don't. I'm both. I came to the U.S. to accomplish things. But what does that look like?
Who is considered an immigrant?
Simply put, an immigrant is a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth. No matter if that person has taken the citizenship of the destination country, served in its military, married a native, or has another status—he or she will forever be an interna- tional migrant.
How many types of migrants are there?
Internal migration (moving within a state, country, or continent) and external migration (moving outside of a state, country, or continent) are two types of human migration (moving to a different state, country, or continent.
What are 3 types of non immigrant visas?
What are the nonimmigrant visa types? There are three primary nonimmigrant visa categories. You can visit the United States for temporary tourism or business, study, and work.
Non-Immigrant Visa
Nonimmigrant visa classifications are perfect for foreign nationals who are coming to the United States on a temporary basis, either as temporary visitors, or temporary workers. These visas are split into two main categories, B-1 and B-2, with a few other outliers.
Immigrant Visas
If your goal is to fully immigrate to the United States, and become a permanent resident or to become a naturalized US citizen, the find thing you'll need to get is an immigrant visa. Your personal circumstances will help you make the decision on what kind of visa you apply for.
Are There Other Visa Options?
While they aren't the most popular options, temporary visas, or even citizenship or green cards, can be given to those seeking political asylum, or refugees from other countries. Christian refugees and Muslim refugees are the largest share of refugees in the United States, from various countries of origin.
Where do I Start the Visa Process?
Once you have an idea of what you want to do, contact a US immigration attorney immediately. Hiring an attorney saves you money and time, as they have experience in immigration courts and matters that a foreign national doesn't, and they also have intimate knowledge of any immigration waivers you might qualify for.
Start Your Visa Application Process Today
With rules like Country caps, the visa and green card wait times, and dozens of various visa types, Immigration law can be confusing and frustrating. That's why hiring an experienced immigration attorney is a must. With an intimate knowledge of immigration law and processes, the Law Office of Jason. A Dennis is ready to help you. U.S.
What is USCIS visa?
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offer a wide array of visa options, shifting requirements, eligibility and quotas for those wishing to immigrate to, work in, invest in or otherwise live in the United States. Visa options usually fall under two categories:
How many H1B visas are there?
H1-B visa quota caps are quickly used up within days of release on April 1st of each year. For 2018 Congress mandated a regular cap of 65,000 H1 B visas and a further H1B Master's Exemption cap of 20,000 visas available for Master's degree or higher applicants.
How long can a nonimmigrant stay in the US?
The initial period of stay can be up to 3 years and may be extended upon application.
What is an EB1 visa?
EB1 visa: The EB-1 visa preference is reserved for persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics; outstanding professors or researchers; and multinational executives and managers. EB-1 criteria.
What is E-2 nonimmigrant?
The E-2 nonimmigrant classification allows a national of a treaty country (a country with which the US maintains a treaty of commerce and navigation) to be admitted to the US when investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business. Certain employees of such a person or of a qualifying organization may also be eligible for this classification.
What is the intersection between immigration and criminal law?
The intersection between immigration and criminal law is one of the most complex and technical areas of US law. Chudnovsky Law is recognized as a leader in criminal defense for non-US citizens from all countries and addressing the immigration consequences of criminal charges.
How old do you have to be to get a green card?
US citizens at least 21 years old can apply for their parents (mother or father) to come live in the US as greencard holders. Green card holders (permanent residents) may not petition to bring their parents to live permanently in the US.
What are the two categories of visas?
Visas may be divided into two general categories: immigrant and nonimmigrant. Immigrant visas are issued to aliens seeking permanent residence in the U.S., while nonimmigrant visas authorize a stay for a limited period of time with a specific purpose. Following is a discussion of immigration and nonimmigrant visa categories and requirements.
What are the categories of family sponsored visas?
There are four categories of family sponsored visa preferences: unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their children; spouses, children, and unmarried sons and daughters of legal permanent residents; married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens and their spouses and children; and brothers and sisters, including spouses and children, of U.S. citizens ages 21 and over. There are five categories of employment-sponsored preferences: priority workers; professionals with advanced degrees or aliens of exceptional ability; skilled workers, professionals (without advanced degrees), and needed unskilled workers; special immigrants (e.g. ministers, religious workers, and employees of the U.S. government abroad); and employment creation immigrants or "investors."
What is a nonimmigrant visa?
These visas are issued to workers with "specialty occupations" (such as computer systems analysts and programmers ) or to workers performing temporary services or labor when persons capable of performing this work are not available in the U.S (such as agricultural workers). The visas are designed to help employers meet an immediate and temporary need for labor. Numerical limitations exist for some nonimmigrant work visas. For instance, the law limits temporary visas for professionals (H-1B category) and temporary agricultural workers (H-2A category).
What is an F-1 visa?
The F-1 visa is for academic students entering the U.S. to pursue a full course of study at an established academic high school, college, university, seminary, conservatory, or language school.
How many years of work experience do you need to get a diversity visa?
To receive a diversity visa, an individual must have at least a high school education or its equivalent, or, within the preceding five years, two years of work experience in an occupation requiring at least two years training or experience.
Can an alien be a permanent resident?
If the alien is already in the U.S., he or she must apply to change his or her status to that of a lawful permanent resident after a visa number becomes available. If the alien is outside the U.S. when an immigrant visa number becomes available, he or she must then go to the U.S. consulate to complete processing.
Who approves an immigrant visa?
The USCIS must approve an immigrant visa petition filed by a relative and accompanied by proof of relationship to the requesting relative. The Department of State must determine if an immigrant visa number is immediately available to the alien, even if he or she is already in the U.S.
What are the different types of non-immigrant visas?
There are many different types of non-immigrant visas, including those for business/tourists, students, exchange programs, transit employees, religious workers, domestic help, financial investors, victims of sex trade, spousal sponsorship and media, to name a few. There is even a visa for non-citizens working in the U.S. who are victims of crimes.
What is a non-immigrant visa?
This can be a helpful place to start. Any citizen of a foreign country wanting to enter the United States must secure a visa in most cases. Immigrant visas are for permanent residence, and non-immigrant visas are for a temporary stay as defined by immigration law.
Who must file a petition for an immigrant visa?
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) before applying for an immigrant visa. The petition is filed by either a qualified relative or a potential employer. Here are a few examples: Purpose of Travel. Example.
Is it important to get a visa lawyer?
Applying for a visa is not something you want to try on your own, and that’s why it’s important to choose a skilled and experienced visa lawyer to help you through the process .
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you get a visa if you are misrepresenting a fact?
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact or fraud may result in you becoming permanently ineligible to receive a U.S. visa or enter the United States.
Non-Immigrant Visa
Immigrant Visas
- If your goal is to fully immigrate to the United States, and become a permanent resident or to become a naturalized US citizen, the find thing you'll need to get is an immigrant visa. Your personal circumstances will help you make the decision on what kind of visa you apply for. If you are a spouse of a US citizen, are engaged to marry a US citizen, are being adopted by a family of …
Are There Other Visa Options?
- While they aren't the most popular options, temporary visas, or even citizenship or green cards, can be given to those seeking political asylum, or refugees from other countries. Christian refugees and Muslim refugees are the largest share of refugees in the United States, from various countries of origin. If you feel you are qualified for these specialized circumstances, do not ente…
Where Do I Start The Visa Process?
- Once you have an idea of what you want to do, contact a US immigration attorney immediately. Hiring an attorney saves you money and time, as they have experience in immigration courts and matters that a foreign national doesn't, and they also have intimate knowledge of any immigration waivers you might qualify for. They will walk you step by step through the immigration process, …
Start Your Visa Application Process Today
- With rules like Country caps, the visa and green card wait times, and dozens of various visa types, Immigration law can be confusing and frustrating. That's why hiring an experienced immigration attorneyis a must. With an intimate knowledge of immigration law and processes, the Law Office of Jason. A Dennis is ready to help you. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services don't have to …