Abasiakan DennyU.S. immigration laws govern the movement of people in and out of the country. It also covers the conditions for either temporary or permanent residency, citizenship and deportation. As newcomers, understanding the immigration laws is essential for visa application, citizenship, and immigrant rights. This will serve as a compass for navigating the complexities of immigration laws.
Identify Your Immigration Goal
Identify your goal for travelling. Understanding the purpose of your travelling will affect the other stages of your immigration journey. Are you travelling to the United States for education, work, tourism or family reunion? Identification of your purpose of travel is crucial to knowing the type of visa that suits your travel goal. The duration of your stay in the States depends much on the reasons motivating the travel.
Research Visa Types
- As a beginner, you must know the different types of visas and the eligibility criteria for each. Understanding Visa types is essential to choosing the visa type that best suits your purpose of travel. Research the visa types and the eligibility for each visa type. The United States visa is grouped into two: Nonimmigrant and Immigrant visas.
- Non-immigrant visas allow immigrants to stay in the United States for a specified period. Visas in this category include visitor visas (for business and tourism), student visas, speciality occupation visas, and exchange visitor visas (for scholars, researchers and interns).
- Immigrant visas are for individuals who travel to the United States for permanent residency. The visas under this category include family-sponsored immigrant visas, employment-based visas, diversity visas (for individuals from countries with low immigration records to the U.S.), and special immigrant visas, issued to foreign nationals, who have worked with the U.S. government (e.g. an interpreter who has worked with the US armed forces qualifies for a special immigrant visa.
Prepare Documentation
Prepare the needed documents for your journey. At this stage, you have identified the purpose of your travel and chosen the visa category. Proceed to get a checklist of the required documents, specific to your immigration goal. Research the requirements for the visa category you choose and gather sufficient documents. Important documents include your passport (valid for at least 6 months), financial statements, proof of acceptance into an educational institution in the US (for student visa), proof of job offer, marriage certificate and any other required documents. All your documents should be valid. Biased documentation may result in delays or denial of visa.
Submit an Application
Fill out the DS-160 accurately. The application form can either be filed and submitted as hardcopy or online. Pay the required fee for the application and biometrics. Follow up on the application process because the duration varies, depending on the type of visa and the destination country. It is necessary to apply three months before the date of your travel. Prepare for the interviews. Research frequently asked visa application questions and practice. When called for the visa interview, dress well and be punctual for the interview. Carry all the required documents along. Let your responses align with your supporting documents to avoid delays or denials.
Understand Common Challenges
Immigrants to the United States often face some challenges. Research common challenges and prepare to overcome them. Some common challenges include language barriers, cultural differences, financial constraints, etc. Consider taking language proficiency tests e.g. IELTS or TOEFL, acquire soft and hard skills, etc.
By following the guidelines, immigrants to the United States can successfully navigate the immigration process seamlessly.
