What is an Immigrant Visa?
You might think that all visas are the same, or
that it should be easy to obtain a visa or you might just not know under
what visa to apply for. There are two categories of U.S. Visas:
Immigrant Visa and Nonimmigrant Visa.
A visa is for a citizen of a foreign country
(not the U.S.) and it's important to remember that the visa simply
indicates that your application has been reviewed by an U.S. consular
officer at an American embassy or consulate and the consular officer has
determined that you're eligible to enter the U.S. for a specific
purpose. The Consular affairs are the responsibility of the U.S.
Department of State.
Remember that the visa only allows you
to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or
land border crossing) and ask the immigration officer to allow you to
enter the country. The immigration officer is the one who has the
authority to permit you to enter the United States. The immigration
officer decides how long you can stay for the particular reason that you
are visiting. Obtaining a visa is very delicate immigration matter that
is the soul responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
There are two categories of U.S. Visas:
Immigrant Visa and Nonimmigrant
Visa
The Immigrant visas are for people who
intend to live permanently in the United States.
The nonimmigrant visa is for people with
paramagnet residence outside the U.S. but
who wish to go to the U.S. on a temporary
basis. For example: tourism, medical
treatment, business, temporary work, or
study.
In the end, the US law requires that people
who are applying for the nonimmigrant visas
provide evidence that they don't intend to
immigrate to the United States (stay
illegally when the visa expires). It is up
to the consular officers at the U.S.
embassies and consulates to determine
eligibility on an individual basis on the
merits of each case.
Even when providing requested documents does
not guarantee that you will receive a visa.
There is no entitlement to a visa.
Not all visa application cases are the same
because each person's personal situation is
different; people applying for the same visa
may be asked different questions and be
required to submit different documents. U.S.
Law states that the authority to issue or
refuse visas is vested solely in consular
offices abroad. Consular officers have the
authority to decide whether the evidence
submitted in support of an application is
sufficient to establish an applicant's
eligibility for a visa. Consular officers
may request additional information or
documentation depending on their assessment
of each person's situation.
Immigrant Visas
In order for
an immigrant to be eligible to apply for an
immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be
sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative(s) or
by a prospective employer. Immediate
Relatives are not subject to numerical
limits under immigration law. For an
overview of the types of immigrant visas
available under immigration law.
Immigrant visas are drawn from countries
with low rates of immigration to the US.
Visa Types for Immigrants:
Family Immigration
Adopting a Child
Marriage to a Foreign National
Diversity
Visa Program
Employment Visas
Thinking of applying for a U.S. visa?
Don't wait long to apply...
Recently, there have been changes in the
U.S. visa laws and regulations; the amount of time to obtain a visa has
increased. From the recent hard times that the country has faced and is
facing the security measures are being improved and getting stricter,
more background checks are being required that lengthen the visa
application process but ensure the safety of visitors and of U.S.
citizens.
There are significant improvements being
made on the time it takes to obtain a visa but it is inevitable the
delays will sometimes occur. Processing times will vary. Your best
option is to contact your nearest embassy and or consulate for the
current time estimate and planning recommendations.
