Guiding You Through The Immigration Process
Updated: Aug 2
The United States is a popular immigration destination for its many advantages and benefits. So if you are wondering what the immigration system is like then this article is the right place for you.
We also provide articles for a wide variety of topics from finding an experienced immigration attorney to migrant workers compensation claim from one of the best immigration lawyers in Arizona.
Table of Contents:
Types of US Immigrant Visas - Family Immigration Visa - Immigration Based On Employment
- Immigration Visas On Humanitarian Ground - Diversity Lottery Visas
- Green Card for Long-Term Residents
- Other US Immigrant VISA Types
What Are The Conditions For A Green Card?
How To Submit An Immigrant Visa Application? What are the pitfalls to avoid when applying for an immigration visa?
What are the types of US Immigrant Visas?
Under the United States Immigration Act, there are several avenues for obtaining a long-term immigration visa to the United States. For example, a green card can be obtained through a close family member who is a green card holder or a US citizen.
Family Immigration Visa
Family immigration visas are one of the most popular types of US immigration visas. Foreign nationals can apply for immigration status as permanent residents of the United States. They can do so through close relatives - close family members such as spouses, parents, siblings, and children. They also need to be green card holders or US citizens.
Immigration Based On Employment
Qualified foreign nationals have at least 20 temporary work visas they can apply for. Some of these visas include H1B visas for foreign workers in special occupations in the United States, H2B visas for non-agricultural employees for seasonal work, one-off visas, L1 visas for employees of multinational companies who are transferring in a US branch, R1 visas. for religious workers and P visas for people who work in sports, art, and entertainment. USCIS only issues 65,000 H1B visas per year.
Immigration Visas On Humanitarian Ground
People can be granted a permanent resident card or also become permanent residents and citizens of the United States for humanitarian reasons. People fleeing their country of origin for fear of persecution can seek asylum or refugee status in the United States. Foreign nationals with refugee and asylum seeker status can apply to become lawful permanent residents of the United States (green card holders) through a process called adjustment of status. Once they have permanent resident status, asylum seekers can also apply for the Green Card for any closed family member who may have fled to the United States with them.
Diversity Lottery Visas
Each year, the US Department of State hosts an Immigration Visa Diversity Lottery, known as the “Green Card Lottery”. Fifty thousand people each year receive diversity lottery visas, out of an estimated 12 million who apply. The United States lottery visas are available to people from countries that have sent fewer than 50,000 immigrants to the United States over the past five years. Foreign citizens must have completed at least high school or its equivalent (such as a GED), or have worked in a job that requires at least two years of training to qualify for the diversity lottery. Learn more about how to register for the Diversity Visa Lottery on the State Department's website.
Green Card for Long-Term Residents
Some foreign nationals who have lived in the United States for a long time may qualify to apply for a green card and begin the formal legal process to become an immigrant to the United States. Not all foreign nationals living in the United States are eligible to apply for the Green Card for long-term residents. Only persons physically present in the United States, legally or illegally, since January 1, 1972, and who have not left the United States since then, can apply for the Green Card for long-term residents.
Other US Immigrant VISA Types
The Department of Homeland Security considers people such as religious workers, entertainment people, media professionals, and Iraqi and Afghan citizens who have assisted the US government as special immigrants. There are also green cards reserved in some cases for people from Mexico and Canada, neighbors of America. You can learn more about these other types of US immigrant visas on the USCIS website.
What Are The Conditions For A Green Card?
The requirements for a green card are specific to the type of green card you are requesting. Employment-based green cards and family-based green cards, for example, have different requirements. However, two process requirements apply to the different types of green cards: an immigration medical exam and a criminal background check. immigration system process to ensure they do not admit a threat to the public and national safety in the United States Read on to learn about other requirements for the respective types of green cards.
Costs Of Immigration
The cost of immigration to the United States largely depends on the type of green card you apply for and where you apply for an immigrant visa in the United States, in the United States (adjustment of status), or outside of the United States. The US government charges a filing fee for the various application forms included in the green card type. In general, for family green cards, you will need to pay around $ 1,760 to settle status files (files filed from the United States) and approximately $ 1,400 for consular processing files (files filed from within the United States). outside the United States). The United States). The humanitarian green cards for refugees and asylum costs between $ 1,140 and $ 1,225.These fees are updated regularly, and you can consult the USCIS Fee Schedule for the most recent tuition fee information.
How To Submit An Immigrant Visa Application?
Your green card application process differs depending on where you are applying. If you apply for a green card while in the United States, you will submit your green card application through a process called “adjustment of status”. via the so-called "consular procedure".
What are the pitfalls to avoid when applying for an immigration visa?
The success or failure of your immigrant visa application may depend on several factors. One of the most common factors is your immigration history in the United States. If you have obtained a previous non-immigrant visa or have been subject to deportation proceedings, this may have a negative impact on your green card application. If you have visa violations it is a good idea to speak with an attorney. USA.gov has immigration attorneys who offer free or low-cost services.
When you enter the United States on a non-immigrant visa, USCIS expects you to maintain and remain in the non-immigrant status you came with for at least 90 days after arrival.
The Bottom Line
The consequences of a misstep regarding your immigration process can be severe. In such cases, you need the right citizenship and immigration services to help you with your case. We offer a free consultation to help you with your first steps, so you would know the green card process from the National Visa Center, achieving permanent residence status, through to the granting of United States citizenship.
If you are looking for an immigration attorney in Phoenix, Westover Law Firm is the right place for you. We specialize in Immigration and Nationality Law, including Employment Immigration, Family Immigration, Deportation Defense, Naturalization, VAWA, U Visas, Work Permits, DACA, and all other related petitions of Immigration Law. To schedule an appointment, call us at 480-284-4200 or visit our website at Westover Law Firm for more inquiries.