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 |
What is the difference between immigrant and nonimmigrant visa?
The key difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa is very basic: Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals who want to enter the United States on a temporary basis – as tourists, for medical treatment, on business, for temporary work, to study, or other similar reasons. Immigrant Visas
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.
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.
What are two disadvantages of immigration?
What are two disadvantages of immigration? It is argued immigration can cause issues of overcrowding, congestion, and extra pressure on public services.There is also a debate about whether immigration of unskilled workers leads to downward pressure on wages and even unemployment of native workers.
What are examples of immigrant visas?
Immigrant Visa CategoriesImmediate Relative & Family SponsoredVisa CategoryFiancé(e) to marry U.S. Citizen & live in U.S.K-1 *Intercountry Adoption of Orphan Children by U.S. CitizensIR3, IH3, IR4, IH4Certain Family Members of U.S. CitizensIR2, CR2, IR5, F1, F3, F412 more rows
How many types of immigrant visas are there?
There are two major categories of immigrant visas: Immediate Relative and Family Sponsored. Employer Sponsored.
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.
Is h1b an immigrant visa?
What is the H-1B Visa Category? The H-1B is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa category that allows employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to work in “specialty occupations” that require at least a bachelor's degree or the equivalent.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Which visa is better L-1 or H-1B?
H1B has stringent requirements while L1 Visa is more suitable for multinationals and is less time consuming than H1B visas. Also, L-1 and H-1B have ˜dual intent in that visa holders in both categories can aim for green card while staying as a nonimmigrant in the United States.
Is b1 b2 non immigrant visa?
The B-1/B-2 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows the holder to travel to the United States for either business or tourism purposes.
What is f1 visa in USA?
What Is a F-1 Visa? The F-1 student visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows international students to enter the US and study at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
What does visa Type R B1 B2 mean?
temporary visa for business and tourismThe U.S. nonimmigrant visa Type B1/B2 is a temporary visa for business and tourism. When you see 'R B1/B2' as your Visa Type, the letter 'R' simply means a regular visa instead of a Diplomat or other visa type. If you are traveling for temporary business, it may be conducted with a U.S. B1 Visa.
What is B1 B2 US visa type?
Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), for tourism (visa category B-2), or for a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
What is h1 and H4 visa?
H1B visas are meant for people who have a degree and want to work in the United States. 1. The visa allows them to get a job in the same field as their degree. Meanwhile, the H4 visa is something that allows you to bring your family to the States.
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 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.
What is Beeraj Patel's philosophy?
Beeraj Patel's philosophy is simple - make it easy for talented and ambitious individuals to have access to immigration materials so that they can make the choice which is right for them.
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:
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.
Can My Family Members also Receive Immigrant Visas?
Based on your approved petition, your spouse and minor unmarried children, younger than 21, may apply for immigrant visas with you. Like you, they must also fill out required application forms, obtain required civil documents, pay the required fees, and undergo medical examinations. 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. For further information, please see our FAQ’s.
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.
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.
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 is the second preference for a job?
A Second Preference applicant must generally have a labor certification approved by the Department of Labor. A job offer is required and the U.S. employer must file an Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-140, on behalf of the applicant.
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 is a K visa?
K nonimmigrant visas – For U.S. citizen fiancé (e) and spouse for immigration related purposes. Refer to Immigrant Visa Categories.
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 DOL?
DOL = The U.S. employer must obtain foreign labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor, prior to filing a petition with USCIS.
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 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.
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 vis...
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…