Firstly, you should know that immigrant visas are given to people who plan on permanently residing in the USA. People outside of the US receive immigrant visas through consulates and embassies located throughout the world; if you’re already living in the U.S., immigrant visas will be processed by a USCIS office.
When applying for an immigrant visa, applicants must:
- Show they have received a job offer from a US company or organization
- Have a valid passport
- Complete medical examinations
- Pay immigrant visa fees
The process of getting an immigrant visa might seem complicated, but here’s some good news: adult members of immediate families (married spouses, minor children) can apply for immigrant visas simultaneously.
Children need not apply separately when applying for immigrant visas with their parents or legal guardians.
The immigrant visa application itself is called the ‘I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. The process of getting an immigrant visa can be divided into two parts: processing at a US consulate/embassy, and processing at a USCIS office within the United States of America.
After submitting immigrant visa forms, supporting documents, and fees to the appropriate office, applicants will receive notification of approval or denial of immigrant status by mail.
What Happens When You Get Approved or Not?
If you are approved for immigrant status in the USA, you will have one year before your immigrant eligibility expires–meaning you must enter the U.S. on an immigrant visa within that time period!
If you do not enter the U.S. as a permanent immigrant after one year, your immigrant visa is void and you will have to begin the immigrant visa application process again.
So now that you know how immigrant visas work, are they right for you? Perhaps!
If you wish to reside in the United States of America permanently, an immigrant visa may be a good choice–if not now, perhaps down the road after receiving work experience or education in the USA.
If you need more information about getting an immigrant visa or applying for temporary status instead (such as student/work visas), consult with your local US consulate/embassy or an immigration attorney.
Hw Much Does an Immigrant Visa Cost?
An immigrant visa typically costs around $690 (varies by consulate/embassy; check with your local US consulate/embassy).
There is also a filing fee of $165 which must be paid when you submit immigrant visa forms. This fee covers the cost of immigrant visas for everyone listed on your immigrant petition (Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative).
This includes any minor children listed; they need not pay the filing fee themselves. Fees are non-refundable and petitions cannot be amended after submission even if immigrant visas were not issued due to errors or missed requirements.
Where Do I Get an Immigrant Visa?
People apply for immigrant visas through consulates and embassies that process immigrant visas near their current place of residence. You can find immigrant visa information for your country of residence here on the USA Department of State website.
Be aware that immigrant visas and immigrant petitions (Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative) are independent of each other: immigrant visa petitions do not affect immigrant visa applicants’ ability to live in the U.S.; immigrant visas allow people to legally live and work in the US; immigrant status allows legal permanent residents to live and work in the U.S.
- If you’re not currently living in the US, immigrant visas are typically processed by US consulates and embassies located throughout the world;
- Immigrant visas may be a good choice if you seek permanent residency in the USA;
- Immigrant visas and immigrant petitions (Form I-130, Petition for an Alien Relative) are separate: immigrant visa petitions do not affect immigrant visa applicants’ ability to live in the US, nor do immigrant visas allow people to legally live and work in the US–US citizenship does that; US immigrant status allows legal permanent residents to live and work in the US; immigrant sends who want to travel outside of the US must apply for a re-entry permit, which gives immigrant visa holders who plan on living outside of the US for more than one-year permission to live and work in the United States.
The Extent of Immigrant Visas; Power
An immigrant visa does not grant you legal permanent residency, meaning that you have to enter the country within 1 year from when it was granted or your immigrant eligibility vanishes–meaning you will be subject to deportation proceedings if discovered by immigration authorities.
Filing fees are non-refundable even if immigrant visas were not issued due to errors or missed requirements; immigrant visa petitions cannot be amended after submission. Immigrant visas are typically processed by US consulates and embassies located throughout the world. If you’re not currently living in the US, immigrant visas are typically processed by US consuls/embassies located throughout the world.
How Important Are Immigrant Visas?
Processing immigrant visas are handled by various US embassies and consulates throughout the world. If you’re not currently in the US, immigrant visa processing is typically carried out through local consulates/embassies located near your current country of residence.
A person who has immigrant status is not subject to immigrant visa quotas or immigrant visa waiting periods. You can find immigrant visa information for your country of residence on the USA Department of State website.
Understanding the Immigrant Quota System
The immigrant quota system limits how many immigrant visas are given out each year, but immigrant visas are processed through consulates/embassies located worldwide–not specifically in the US; immigrant visas allow people to live and work in the US.
When immigrant petitions (Form I-130) are filed for family members, there may be a wait time of several years before they receive green cards (US permanent residency). Immigrant visas may be a good choice if you seek permanent residency in the US; immigrants with visa overstays their welcome when they do not file immigrant petitions (Form I-130) for immigrant visa eligibility.
This immigrant quota system was created by the Immigration Act of 1924, a piece of legislation that significantly changed how immigrants were admitted to the United States–leading to a rise in immigrant visa processing during this time period.
Immigrants residing in foreign countries typically have immigrant visas applied for at US consulates/embassies located worldwide; immigrant quotas limit how many immigrant visas are given out each year.
These quotas are handled on an annual basis (the act’s name is more than just for show). Immigrant visas are processed through embassies/consulates worldwide; immigrant visas allow people to live and work in the US.
Being a green card holder (US permanent resident) is not the same as immigrant status, which involves immigrant visa petitions (Form I-130). Immigrant visas are typically processed by US consulates/embassies located throughout the world.
Living abroad may result in immigrant overstays of immigrant visas issued by US embassies/consulates worldwide–an immigrant’s immigrant visa eligibility is void if they fail to file immigrant petitions (Form I-130) within 1 year of issuing immigrant visas.
If you seek U.S. citizenship through immigrant visa processing, then filing immigrant petitions (Form I-130) is an appropriate choice for you–which I will discuss shortly after discussing immigrant visa processing for immigrant visas to be issued by US consulates/embassies.
Generally speaking, immigrant quotas are quite valuable since immigrant visa processing is handled through US consulates/embassies worldwide–visas allow people to live and work in the US.
For more information, you may ask or consult with Houston immigration lawyers.