FAQ
We have listed some of the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in this section. Have a Question? Post it here and Prashanthi will answer it for you.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
On date : 2015-11-22 16:05:15 Category :General
The immigration laws allow persons born in foreign countries to enter the US temporarily as tourists, to do business, to attend school, to be employed, and to engage in a variety of other activities. Temporary visas that US Immigration grants are identified by a letter of the alphabet followed by a hyphen and a number. For example, several million people visit the US each year as "B-2" tourists. Thousands of "F-1" academic students and "M-1" vocational students attend schools and universities. Between 40,000 and 195,000 persons are granted temporary "H-1B" professional working visas annually. Temporary visas are also known as "nonimmigrant" visas. They are issued by US Embassies and Consulates located around the world. US consular officers presume that you intend to reside permanently in the US unless you can demonstrate through strong ties to your home country that you will not remain in the US after the expiration of your authorized stay. If your application is approved, the consular officer will affix a visa to your passport. The visa contains your photograph as well as other identifying information. Nonimmigrant visas expire after a certain period of time and may be valid for one or more entries into the US. The issuance of a visa does not guarantee that you will be admitted into the US The INS Immigration Inspector at the airport/port of entry decides whether to admit you into the US and for how long. If the Immigration Inspector denies you admission, you have the right to request a hearing before an Immigration Judge. The Judge has the authority to overrule the Immigration Inspector.
The immigration laws allow persons born in foreign countries to enter the US temporarily as tourists, to do business, to attend school, to be employed, and to engage in a variety of other activities. Temporary visas that US Immigration grants are identified by a letter of the alphabet followed by a hyphen and a number. For example, several million people visit the US each year as "B-2" tourists. Thousands of "F-1" academic students and "M-1" vocational students attend schools and universities. Between 40,000 and 195,000 persons are granted temporary "H-1B" professional working visas annually. Temporary visas are also known as "nonimmigrant" visas. They are issued by US Embassies and Consulates located around the world. US consular officers presume that you intend to reside permanently in the US unless you can demonstrate through strong ties to your home country that you will not remain in the US after the expiration of your authorized stay. If your application is approved, the consular officer will affix a visa to your passport. The visa contains your photograph as well as other identifying information. Nonimmigrant visas expire after a certain period of time and may be valid for one or more entries into the US. The issuance of a visa does not guarantee that you will be admitted into the US The INS Immigration Inspector at the airport/port of entry decides whether to admit you into the US and for how long. If the Immigration Inspector denies you admission, you have the right to request a hearing before an Immigration Judge. The Judge has the authority to overrule the Immigration Inspector.
On date : 2015-11-22 16:04:07 Category :F-1
Yes you can switch you F-1 as long as you do it before your I-94 expires. You can be on an F-1 for as long as you are a student.
Yes you can switch you F-1 as long as you do it before your I-94 expires. You can be on an F-1 for as long as you are a student.
On date : 2015-11-22 16:03:37 Category :F-1
Yes.1st Preference - Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 4th Preference category. 2nd Preference - Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents 114,200 per year, PLUS the amount by which visas allocated to the family preference categories exceeds 226,000, PLUS unused visas from the 1st Preference category, if any. 77% of visas are reserved for spouses and children (defined as unmarried sons and daughters under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents. 3rd Preference - Married sons and daughters of US. citizens (formerly 4th Preference) 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st and 2nd Preference categories. 4th Preference - Brothers and sisters of US. citizens (formerly 5th Preference) 65,000 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Preference categories.
Yes.1st Preference - Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 4th Preference category. 2nd Preference - Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents 114,200 per year, PLUS the amount by which visas allocated to the family preference categories exceeds 226,000, PLUS unused visas from the 1st Preference category, if any. 77% of visas are reserved for spouses and children (defined as unmarried sons and daughters under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents. 3rd Preference - Married sons and daughters of US. citizens (formerly 4th Preference) 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st and 2nd Preference categories. 4th Preference - Brothers and sisters of US. citizens (formerly 5th Preference) 65,000 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Preference categories.
On date : 2015-11-22 16:01:01 Category :Green Card
1st Preference - Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 4th Preference category. 2nd Preference - Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents 114,200 per year, PLUS the amount by which visas allocated to the family preference categories exceeds 226,000, PLUS unused visas from the 1st Preference category, if any. 77% of visas are reserved for spouses and children (defined as unmarried sons and daughters under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents. 3rd Preference - Married sons and daughters of US. citizens (formerly 4th Preference) 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st and 2nd Preference categories. 4th Preference - Brothers and sisters of US. citizens (formerly 5th Preference) 65,000 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Preference categories.
1st Preference - Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 4th Preference category. 2nd Preference - Spouses and unmarried sons and daughters of lawful permanent residents 114,200 per year, PLUS the amount by which visas allocated to the family preference categories exceeds 226,000, PLUS unused visas from the 1st Preference category, if any. 77% of visas are reserved for spouses and children (defined as unmarried sons and daughters under 21 years of age) of lawful permanent residents. 3rd Preference - Married sons and daughters of US. citizens (formerly 4th Preference) 23,400 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st and 2nd Preference categories. 4th Preference - Brothers and sisters of US. citizens (formerly 5th Preference) 65,000 per year, PLUS unused visas from the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Preference categories.
On date : 2015-11-22 15:58:34 Category :Green Card
Most family and employment-based immigration is numerically limited. Each country and category has its own quota. Because the demand for green cards exceeds the supply in many cases, the State Department publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin to allow you to determine how long it takes to achieve permanent residence according to your country of birth and visa category. It is important to track the movement in a particular category over time to determine how long the backlog is. Often, the waiting time is longer than it appears in the Visa Bulletin. See the latest Visa Bulletin.
Most family and employment-based immigration is numerically limited. Each country and category has its own quota. Because the demand for green cards exceeds the supply in many cases, the State Department publishes a monthly Visa Bulletin to allow you to determine how long it takes to achieve permanent residence according to your country of birth and visa category. It is important to track the movement in a particular category over time to determine how long the backlog is. Often, the waiting time is longer than it appears in the Visa Bulletin. See the latest Visa Bulletin.
On date : 2015-11-22 15:56:35 Category :Green Card
Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed. If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year. INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment. If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months. If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement. marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed. If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year. INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment. If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months. If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement.
Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a Marriage to a citizen of the US. is one of the fastest and easiest methods of obtaining permanent residence. Unfortunately, many persons engage in "sham" marriages merely to obtain green cards. If the government determines that a marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed. If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year. INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment. If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months. If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement. marriage is not bona fide, both criminal and civil immigration penalties may be imposed. If you marry a citizen in the US., you may submit an application for permanent residence to the INS office having jurisdiction over your residence. Typically, INS will issue you a work card and a travel permit (also known as an "advance parole") while you wait to be interviewed. Depending on the INS office, waiting times for marriage interviews range from two months to over one year. INS will determine if you are residing together by examining your identification, wedding photographs, tax returns, insurance policies and by questioning you and your spouse. If INS has any doubts as to the bona fides of your marriage, they may question you and your spouse separately, and may conduct an investigation at your places of residence and employment. If your marriage occurs abroad, you must process the immigration paperwork at the US Embassy or Consulate in your country. The procedure is roughly the same as in the US except that the waiting time usually ranges from three to six months. If the marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, your green card will expire two years after you become a permanent resident. You and your spouse will be required to submit a joint petition to INS to remove this two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the expiration of your green card. If the marriage has terminated because of death or divorce, or if you are the victim of spousal abuse, you may apply to INS for a waiver of the joint petition requirement.
On date : 2015-11-22 15:50:39 Category :Green Card
You can stay out of the country for 11months and 29 days without having to apply for a re-entry permit.
You can stay out of the country for 11months and 29 days without having to apply for a re-entry permit.
On date : 2015-11-22 15:49:57 Category :Green Card
Yes, but you need to work for the employer who filed your GC.
Yes, but you need to work for the employer who filed your GC.
On date : 2015-11-22 15:48:24 Category :Green Card
I am presently on H1-B and filed I-140 and I-485 under Exceptional Ability & National Interest Waiver category, I got EAD (I-765) approval also;, can I do any part time job by using EAD as well as maintaining my H1-B status?
I am presently on H1-B and filed I-140 and I-485 under Exceptional Ability & National Interest Waiver category, I got EAD (I-765) approval also;, can I do any part time job by using EAD as well as maintaining my H1-B status?
On date : 2015-11-22 15:47:52 Category :Green Card
Yes it is possible to file under EB-2 (Bach plus 5), you have more options under the current labor certification process to file under EB-2, under PERM the job titles that are approved for EB-2 are fewer.
Yes it is possible to file under EB-2 (Bach plus 5), you have more options under the current labor certification process to file under EB-2, under PERM the job titles that are approved for EB-2 are fewer.
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