The American immigrant visa is a type of visa that allows individuals to permanently move to the United States. Unlike non-immigrant visas, which are intended for temporary stays such as tourism, study, or temporary work, immigrant visas are for those who wish to live in the U.S. permanently and eventually become lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
There are several categories of immigrant visas, which can be mainly divided into three groups: family-based visas, employment-based visas, and other categories. Family-based visas are for individuals who have close relatives who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The main categories are IR (Immediate Relatives), for spouses, children under 21 years of age, and parents of U.S. citizens, and F (Family Preference), for more distant relatives of U.S. citizens and certain relatives of lawful permanent residents.
Employment-based visas are for individuals who have a job offer in the United States. The categories include EB-1, for workers of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers; EB-2, for professionals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability; EB-3, for skilled workers, professionals, and other workers; EB-4, for special immigrants, including certain religious workers and employees of international organizations; and EB-5, for investors who invest a significant amount of capital in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. and create jobs for American workers.
Other categories include visas for refugees and asylees, diversity visas (DV Lottery), and other special categories such as the U visa for crime victims and the T visa for victims of human trafficking.
The process for obtaining an immigrant visa involves several steps. First, a relative or employer in the U.S. must file a petition on behalf of the applicant, using Form I-130 for family-based visas or Form I-140 for employment-based visas. After the petition is approved, the case is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC), where the applicant must provide additional documents and pay processing fees. Once all the documentation is complete, the applicant will be scheduled for an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate. During the interview, the consular officer will review the case and decide whether the visa will be granted. Additionally, applicants must undergo a medical examination and provide proof of financial support. If approved, the applicant will receive a package of documents to present to the immigration officer at the port of entry in the U.S., becoming a lawful permanent resident upon admission and later receiving the green card. This process can be complex and time-consuming, varying according to the visa category and individual circumstances.
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