Quick Answer: What Is A Visa For An Immigrant?

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.

Did you enter the US with an immigrant visa?

• Entering the United States. When traveling to the United States, the primary (or principal) applicant must enter before or at the same time as family members with visas. With your immigrant visa (before it expires), and sealed packet, you will travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (often an airport) and request permission to enter the United States.

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.” Permanent legal resident visa applications may be family-based or business-based.

What is an immigrant visa?

Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons. Immigrant Visa.

What are immigrant visa types?

Immigrant Visa Categories

Immediate Relative & Family Sponsored	Visa Category
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen	IR1, CR1
Spouse of a U.S. Citizen awaiting approval of an I-130 immigrant petition	K-3 *
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

What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a green card?

An immigrant visa is for an alien who plans to live permanently in the United States. A permanent resident card (“ green card ”) is issued by USCIS after admission and is later mailed to the alien’s U.S. address. A Permanent Resident Card (I-551) is proof of lawful permanent resident status in the United 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 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. The characteristics of each status are explained below. These are people who were either born in the U.S. or who have become “naturalized” after three or five years as permanent residents.

How much is an immigrant visa?

Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fees (non-refundable, per person)

Immediate relative and family preference applications (processed on the basis of an approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition)	$325.00
Employment-based applications (processed on the basis of an approved I-140 or I-526 petition)	$345.00

Who can enter US without visa?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is administered by DHS and enables eligible citizens or nationals of designated countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa.

What is a visa category?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. An A Visa is a category of non-immigrant visas allowing travel to the United States issued to ambassadors, diplomats, government officials, and their support staff.

What is the difference between non-immigrant visa and immigrant visa?

An immigrant visa (IV) is issued to a person wishing to live permanently in the U.S. A nonimmigrant visa (NIV) is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States, but wishes to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study, as examples.

How much is a green card?

The government filing fees for getting a green card through marriage is $1,760 for an applicant living in the United States or $1,200 for an applicant living outside the United States.

Does an immigrant visa allow you to work?

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. The Permanent Workers webpage describes the five employment-based immigrant visa preferences (also called categories).

How long is a green card good for?

Although some Permanent Resident Cards, commonly known as Green Cards, contain no expiration date, most are valid for 10 years. If you have been granted conditional permanent resident status, the card is valid for 2 years.

Which is the toughest visa to get?

Hardest countries to get a visa

• North Korea.
• Russia.
• Saudi Arabia.
• Bhutan.
• Pakistan.
• Nigeria.
• Turkmenistan.
• Iran.

Can you travel with immigrant visa?

If you have been granted an immigrant visa by a U.S. embassy or consulate, you are almost a permanent resident of the United States (green card holder)—but not quite. The last step in your process is to travel to the U.S. and pass inspection at the airport, docking point, or land border.

Can an immigrant visa be denied?

Denial Based on Ineligibility Due to Fraud or Misrepresentation. Additionally, the consular officer can deny your immigrant visa after finding that USCIS erred in approving your underlying immigrant petition. If your visa was denied pursuant to 221(g), your best option is probably to refile the immigrant petition.