If you wish to come to the United States as a foreign national, you will need to obtain a visa. There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and non-immigrant. As you plan to immigrate to the U.S., you’ll need to determine which type of visa you need to acquire. If you are unsure of the differences between a non-immigrant and an immigrant visa, please continue reading and contact a trusted New Jersey Immigration Lawyer who can help guide you through which one aligns with your needs.
How Do a Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visa Differ?
If you are a foreign national who wishes to enter the United States, you must obtain a visa. Essentially, this documentation allows you to enter the country based on certain conditions. As such, your intended purpose for visiting will determine whether you require a non-immigrant or immigrant visa.
If you plan on moving permanently to the United States to live and work, you will need to apply for an immigrant visa. In most cases, a family member or employer must sponsor you by applying with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It’s important to note that certain applicants such as workers with extraordinary abilities and certain special immigrants can petition on their behalf. The application will be sent to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Once reviewed, issuance of the immigrant visa will follow if you meet the eligibility requirements. After you’ve arrived in the country, you can apply to become a lawful permanent resident, also known as a green card holder.
A non-immigrant visa, on the other hand, is issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States temporarily for tourism, business, medical treatment, and certain types of temporary work. This type of visa will allow you to remain in the country for a certain period. However, you will have to exit the country before the visa expires.
What Are the Requirements?
Unfortunately, the process of obtaining a visa can be incredibly difficult, regardless of the reason you wish to enter the country. However, it’s much harder to acquire an immigrant visa because you will need to demonstrate your ties to the country. Generally, this is achieved through relatives or employment. To obtain a non-immigrant visa, you will need to establish that you intend to leave the country once after your authorized period of stay.
As you can see, the application process for obtaining a visa is complex. That said, it’s in your best interest to work with an experienced New Jersey immigration lawyer, who can help you navigate this process. At the Law Offices of Aditya Surti, LLC, we will do everything in our power to attain a favorable outcome on your behalf.
