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Immigration/Visas Information Center

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Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Visas

Q: What is an immigrant visa?

A: An immigrant visa is a document that allows a person who plans to move to the United States on a permanent basis to apply for entry to the US. People who wish to become permanent residents of the US may qualify for an immigrant visa based on employment, a family relationship, diversity immigrant or refugee status, or other special circumstances.

Q: What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa?

A: An immigrant visa holder who is granted admission to the United States is issued a Form I-551 (also known as a "green card") and becomes a permanent resident alien. A permanent resident alien may live and work indefinitely in the US. On the other hand, a nonimmigrant visa holder who is granted admission to the US may only live in the US for a limited period of time and for a particular purpose (to seek medical attention, conduct business, or study, for example).

Applying for permanent residence in the United States is much more difficult and complex than seeking a temporary visa. Not only must your application be correctly filled out, you must also submit supporting documents and photographs that meet the government specifications. Failure to meet all of the requirements can result in a rejection of your application or unnecessary delays. To ensure that your application is correctly submitted and that you receive the consideration that you deserve, contact an experienced immigration lawyer to discuss your visa application.

The Los Angeles law firm of Vakili & Leus, LLP assists businesses and individuals seeking effective process of work visas. Our green card attorney represents companies and employees in the immigration process. Employers in California and across the country rely on us to expedite investor visas and inter-company transfers. We facilitate American work visas and labor certifications for skilled personnel including nurses, scientists, computer engineers, athletes, and fashion models. To schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer, call or contact Vakili & Leus, LLP online.

Are you seeking permanent resident status in the United States? Is your company trying to fill positions with immigrant professionals? Call Vakili & Leus, LLP. Contact a Los Angeles immigration attorney.

Immigrant Visas - An Overview

People living outside the United States who wish to become permanent residents must obtain an immigrant visa to apply for entry to the United States. To obtain an immigrant visa, a person must qualify for one of the immigrant classifications such as employment-based, family-sponsored, diversity, or refugee. Immigration law and the visa process are complex. There are specific requirements, rules, and procedures that vary depending on the category of immigrant visa sought, and the success of each visa application depends on the particular circumstances of the applicant. Unfortunately, many visa petitions are rejected or subject to delays because the petitioner did not understand the requirements. A competent and experienced immigration attorney can ensure that your immigrant visa application is carefully prepared and submitted. If you have questions about immigrant visas, call an immigration attorney today.

Types of Immigrant Visas

Anybody seeking to reside in the United States permanently must obtain an immigrant visa. The primary classes of immigrant visas are employment-based, family-based, diversity immigrant status (Diversity Visa Lottery Program), and asylum or refugee status. One of the most difficult areas of US immigration law is determining which visa or immigration options are available to and best suited for a particular person. For some people, there may be more than one option available. Businesses, individuals seeking visas, and relatives in the US all play important roles in the visa process, and an immigration attorney can assist in identifying and petitioning for the appropriate visa.

Employment-Based Immigrant Visas

There are many types of employment-based immigrant visas and each has its own particular requirements. The process of obtaining an employment-based visa can be complicated and tedious. Failing to comply with the detailed laws and regulations governing employment-based visas can result in processing delays and rejected applications followed by protracted and costly appeals. Whether you are an individual, business professional, entrepreneur, investor, US corporation, university, or other organization that employs foreign nationals, you need experienced representation to ensure that employment-based immigrant visas are obtained without unnecessary delays. A competent and experienced immigration attorney can help to prepare and file employment-based immigrant visa petitions. If you have questions about employment-based immigrant visas, call an immigration attorney today.

Family-Based Immigrant Visas

Under federal law, citizens and legal permanent residents can sponsor their family members for immigrant visas. There are no limitations on the total number of visas that can be issued to a child, spouse, or parent of a United States citizen; however, the total number of visas issued to immediate relatives (children, spouses, or parents) of US citizens affects the availability of other family-based immigrant visas. Family-based immigrant visas require careful preparation, but even accurate and thorough applications may face significant delays. An immigration attorney can prepare your family-based immigrant visa application and follow it through the visa process. If you have questions about family-based immigration, call an immigration attorney today.

The Diversity Visa Lottery Program

Each year approximately 55,000 people are selected by lottery to file a petition for an immigrant visa. The lottery is available to people from nations with a comparatively low rate of immigration to the United States in the last five years. These "low admission" countries are further categorized in "high admission" and "low admission" geographic regions, and nations within a high admission region receive fewer slots in the diversity lottery. Because applications for the diversity lottery are only accepted for a short period of time each year and because lottery winners must obtain immigrant status by the end of the year in which they are selected, people who wish to be included in the diversity lottery should seek a competent and experienced immigration attorney who understands the lottery to assist them in filing their lottery application and visa petition as soon as they become eligible for the lottery. If you wish to apply for a diversity visa, an experienced immigration lawyer can assist you in carefully preparing and submitting your application. If you have questions about the diversity lottery, call an immigration attorney today.

Asylum and Refugees

Other than the Diversity Visa Lottery Program, asylum and refugee status may be the only way for individuals who do not qualify for family-based or employment-based immigration to enter the United States in immigrant status. Among other requirements, refugee applicants and asylum applicants must satisfy the definition of a refugee found in section 101(a)(42) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). To meet the definition of a refugee, a person must have, among other things, a "well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." An experienced immigration law attorney can work closely with you to prepare and present the information that is essential to a successful asylum or refugee application. If you have questions about asylum or refugee status, call an immigration lawyer today.

Immigrant Visas Resource Links

UnitedStatesVisas.gov
An official source of information about United States visa policy and procedure, UnitedStatesVisas.gov provides information about the visa application process and articles to help users understand current visa requirements.

Business Visa Center
The Business Visa Center is available to assist businesses in the United States and their partners, customers, and colleagues around the world in obtaining employment-based visas for their workers.

Department of State Travel Web Site - Visa Section
Information from the United States Department of State regarding the different types of United States visas, the visa application process, and US visa policy and procedures.

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