How To Get A Green Card - US Student Visas - Visa Process

How to get a Green Card, US student visas, US work visas, family visas and general US immigration

The defining tool of US immigration is the visa that allows for admission into the United States. US visas may be categorized into temporary and permanent options.

Nationals from countries such as the United Kingdom are entitled to visit the United States without a visa. This is accomplished through the visa waiver program allowing for more expedient travel to the USA. This means that the requirement to apply for a tourist/business purpose visa, otherwise known as the B1/B2 visa is eliminated. The visa waiver program allows travelers from different countries across the globe to visit the US for a maximum of 90 days.

Relocation to the States necessitates an application for a US immigration visa contingent on the purpose of the relocation. Thus, it would be necessary for an alien to apply for a US work visa if offered employment in the USA. Some of the most recognized options are the L1 visa, H1B, H2 and the O1 visas which are temporary options with a limited duration as to the alien's maximum stay in the US. There are also employment based green card options that allow for permanent residence in the United States. Foreign investors wishing to invest, manage and develop a US commercial enterprise would apply for an E2 visa, embark on the E1 option or would seek the green card solution of the EB5 visa.

Studying is another popular reason for temporary relocation to the States whereby US student visas known as the F1 and M1 visas become the tools for admission into the US. Foreign students who have enrolled at an educational institution in the US and have obtained a completed I-20 form may apply for the above delineated US student visas to attend an academic or vocational institution in the States.

Family unification is a substantial premise for migration to the USA and usually culminates in green card status i.e. permanent residence for the foreigner. Relatives of United States citizens and permanent residents may apply for US green card status on the basis of their affiliation to their States side relatives. Parents, spouses, children and siblings qualify as relatives maintaining a sufficiently close relationship to embark on this process. The States side relative is required to file a petition with the pertinent US immigration services and upon the approval of the petition the foreigner may apply for permanent residence in the States. Additional measures were introduced to meliorate the immigration process for fiancés/fiancées and spouses of US citizens in the form of the K1 and K3 visas. Foreign partners of US citizens are allowed to apply for the K1 fiancé/fiancée visa provided that once in the USA they marry their partners within 90 days of entry and then adjust K1 status to permanent residency. Foreign spouses may use the K3 visa process to pursue green card status in the US. Applying for a K3 spousal visa is optional, however. It is designed to provide a speedier avenue of entry into the US whilst awaiting the approval of a green card petition filed by the American spouse with the US immigration Services. Once the petition is approved, the K3 visa holder is required to adjust status to permanent residence in the States and apply for a green card.

It used to be the case that green cards where issued indefinitely. Green card renewal is now required every ten years. Foreigners should also bear in mind that after five years as permanent residents they can apply for US citizenship. However, if married to an American citizen, a foreign spouse may apply for US citizenship after three years as a permanent resident. Until the above stated residents have applied for citizenship, the green card renewal process is mandatory to retain permanent resident status in the US.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on 310 492 4311 to discuss how to get a green card, Green card Renewal, US Student visas, the K1 and K3 visa process and US immigration in general