Permanent Immigration | |
Family Based | |
Family Based Immigrants are admitted to the U.S. either as Immediate Relatives or through the Family Preference System.
Immediate Relatives | - Spouses of U.S. Citizens
- Unmarried Minor Children of U.S. Citizens
- Parents of U.S. Citizens
| | | | | Family Preference System | - Adult Children (married and unmarried) of U.S. Citizens
- Brothers and Sisters of U.S. Citizens
- Spouses and unmarried children of Permanent Residents
- Direct link to Visa numbers/priority dates
| | | | | | | Employment Based |
Employment Based Immigrants are permitted to apply for Permanent Residency provided they qualify for it.
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Temporary Immigration There is wide range of Temporary Visas, for many different purposes, and varying greatly in length of time from a few days to many years. Some Visas must be approved in advance by the INS, before being reviewed and issued by the State Department. Other Visa requests are reviewed only at the State Department. Many types of Visas can be granted not only to the principal Applicant, but also to the Applicant's spouse and dependants. There is difference between a Visa and an 'alien' Status, although both are sometimes referred to in a similar way. A Visa is a document issued in one's passport allowing one to apply for admission to the United States. A persons status is granted to the Applicant when they are admitted into the United States by the INS at a port of entry, and may be extended or changed by the INS by following proper procedures. | |
The following is a list of the more common Visas available to qualified persons:
B VISAS | - B-1 Business Visitors
- B-2 Tourist Visitors
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E INVESTOR VISAS | - E-1 Treaty Trader
- E-2 Treaty Investor
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F VISAS | |
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H VISAS | - H-1B Professional or Skilled Workers
- H-2A Agricultural workers
- H-2B Temporary Seasonal Workers
- H-3 Trainee
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J-1 EXCHANGE VISAS | - Educational and Cultural Exchange
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K-1 VISAS | |
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L-1 VISAS | - Intracompany Transfer Visas for Executives
- Intracompany Transfers for Staff with Special Knowledge
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M VISAS | - Language and vocational students
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O VISAS | - Aliens of Extraordinary Ability
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P VISAS | - Athletes, and entertainment groups (orchestra and personnel)
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Q VISAS | - Cultural Exchange Visitor
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R-1 VISA | |
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Other Visas |
TRADE NAFTA VISAS(TN) | - Special Trade/Work Visas for Canadians and Mexicans
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DIVERSITY LOTTERY | - Annual Lottery
- Direct Link to U.S. Lottery Procedures
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VISA WAIVER PROGRAM |