Immigration

Visa Overview   |   Visa Snapshots   |   Immigration INS Forms

Visa Overview

A visa is a permit to enter the United States for a specified period of time. There are many kinds of U.S. visas and each is issued for a different purpose. There are 2 types of visas namely Immigrant Visas and Nonimmigrant Visas.

Immigrant Visas (Permanent Residence): An Immigrant Visa is a permanent residence visa for someone who intends to live and work permanently in the United States. Permanent Visas are issued to those who qualify for permanent residence in the United States. Some of the ways to obtain residence in the U.S. include Immigration through a family member, Immigration through employment, Immigration through investment, Adjusting to lawful permanent resident status as an asylee or refugee, Immigration through the Diversity Lottery, Immigration through International adoption, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Immigration through "The Registry" (Immigration and Nationality Act).

Non-Immigrant Visas (Temporary Residence): A Nonimmigrant Visa is a temporary visa for someone to come temporarily to the United States for a specific purpose, such as tourists, business people and students. Non-immigrant visas differ from each other in the kinds of privileges they offer, as well as duration. Some of the ways to obtain temporary residence in the U.S. include Business or Pleasure Visitors, Temporary Workers, Students Attending U.S. Schools, Exchange Visitors, Foreign National Entering the U.S. as the Fiancé (e) of a U.S. Citizen, NAFTA Professionals, K Nonimmigrant visas (LIFE Act), T Nonimmigrant visas (VTVPA), V Nonimmigrant visas (LIFE ACT)

Visa Snapshot

Visitors
 
 B-1  Temporary business visitors
 B-2  Temporary visitors for pleasure or medical treatment
 K-1  For Fiancee and Fiance of U.S. citizens for purposes of marriage

Employment (Temporary)
 
 H-1B  Temporary Professionals for speciality Occupations
 TN-1  For Canadian Nationals and Mexicans for speciality Occupations
 L-1  Intra-Company Transfer
 H-1A  Nursing
 H-1C  Registered Nurses
 H2-A  Temporary Agricultural Worker
 H2-B  Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker
 E-1  Treaty Trader
 E-2  Treaty Investor

Study/ Training in the USA
 
 F-1/F-2  Student Visa
 M-1  Students in vocational or other non academic programs
 H-3  Trainees
 J-1/J-2  Exchange Visitor
 Q-1  Cultural Exchange

For Artists, Athletes and Entertainers
 
 P-1  Athletes and Entertainers
 P-2/P3  Artists
 A/G/NATO  Foreign Government Representatives

Other Visas
 
 H-4  Immediate families of all H visa entrants
 I  Press and immediate families
 R-1  Religious Worker Visas

NAFTA Visas
 
 O-1  Exceptional Ability
 C-1  Foreign nationals in transit through the United States
 C-2  Foreign nationals in transit to/from the UN
 G-4  Officers and employees of international organizations
 S  Aliens Assisting Law Enforcement
 D  Crewman Transit
 N  The parents of certain special immigrants
 A  Diplomatic Status
 V  Nonimmigrant visas (LIFE ACT)

Other BCIS Visas (PERMANENT )
 
EB-2  For Individuals of Exceptional Ability or with Advanced Degrees
EB-3  Visas for Skilled and Unskilled Workers
EB1 - EB5  Investor Visa
   Registry
   Political Asylum
   Family Relations
   Marriage / Spouse
   Adoption

Employment (Permanent Residence)

1st Preference: Executives, Researchers
2nd Preference: Advanced Degree Workers
3rd Preference: Skilled & Domestic Workers
Religious Workers
Diversity Lottery DV-2005
Citizenship

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Immigration INS Forms

AR-11: Change of Address Form
G-14: Information Form
G-28: Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative
G-325: Biographic Information
G-325A: Biographic Information
G-731: Inquiry About Status of I-551 Alien Registration Card
G-845: Verification Request (Non-SAVE Agencies)
G-942: Application Survey (for INS Employment)
I-9: Employment Eligibility Verification
I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
I-102: Application for Replacement/Initial Nonimmigrant Arrival/Departure Record
I-129: Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
I-129F: Petition for Alien Fiance(e)
I-129S: Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition
I-129W: Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker Filing Fee Exemption
I-130: Petition for Alien Relative
I-131: Application for Travel Document
I-134: Affidavit of Support
I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker
I-191: Application for Permission to Return to an Unrelinquished Domicile
I-192: Application for Advance Permission to Enter as Nonimmigrant
I-193: Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa
I-212: Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission into the U.S. After Deportation or Removal
I-246: Application for Stay of Deportation or Removal
I-352: Immigration Bond
I-360: Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant
I-361: Affidavit of Financial Support and Intent to Petition for Legal Custody
I-408: Application to Pay Off or Discharge Alien Crew
I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or to Adjust Status
I-485 Supplement A: Supplement A to Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence
I-526: Immigrant Petition By Alien Entrepreneur
I-539: Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status
I-589: Application for Asylum
I-600: Petition To Classify Orphan As an Immediate Relative
I-600A: Application for Advance Processing of Orphan Petition
I-601: Application for Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
I-602: Application By Refugee For Waiver of Grounds of Excludability
I-612: Application for Waiver of the Foreign Residence Requirement
I-690: Application for Waiver of Excludability
I-693: Medical Examination of Aliens Seeking Adjustment of Status
I-698: Application to Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident
I-730: Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition
I-751: Petition to Remove the Conditions on Residence
I-765: Application for Employment Authorization
I-817: Application for Family Unity Benefits
I-821: Application for Temporary Protected Status
I-823: Application - Inspections Facilitation Program
I-824: Application for Action on an Approved Application or Petition
I-829: Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions
I-864: Affidavit of Support
I-865: Sponsor's Notice of Change of Address
I-866: Application Checkpoint Pre-enrolled Access Lane
I-876: Election Form to Participate in Employment Eligibility Confirmation Pilot Programs
I-881: NACARA - Suspension of Deportation or Application for Special Rule Cancellation of Removal
I-907: Request for Premium Processing Service
N-25: Request for Verification of Naturalization
N-336: Request for Hearing on a Decision in Naturalization Proceedings Under Section 336 of the INA
N-400: Application for Naturalization
N-565: Application for Replacement Naturalization Citizenship Document
N-600: Application for Certification of Citizenship
N-643: Application for Certificate of Citizenship in Behalf of an Adopted Child

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