How to Enter the U.S. Learn about the most common types of visas for business, student or travel you may need when coming to or traveling through the United States, plus review what other documents you need to enter the U.S. Also, find information on how to apply for an immigrant visa.

Apply For a Visa The U.S. Department of State issues visas U.S. Visa: a document issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate to a non-U.S. citizen. It’s placed in their passport to allow them to seek entry to the U.S. for a specific purpose. to foreign nationals Foreign National: a person who is not a citizen of the country they’re visiting, studying or working in. traveling to the United States through its embassies or consulates Consulate: a smaller version of an embassy, located outside a nation’s capital. An embassy is the place in a nation’s capital where the diplomatic staff of another country work. . However, you do not need a visa for your business meeting or for vacation if you are a citizen of any of the 39 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. Your reason for travel will determine the type of visa you need to enter the U.S. Some of the most commonly requested visas are: Immigrant visa for Permanent Residency: the U.S. immigration status that allows non-U.S. citizens to live and work permanently in the United States. permanent residency

Visitor visas for tourism or business

Fiancé(e) visa to marry your U.S. citizen fiancé(e), and live, in the U.S.

Visas for students

Business or professional visas for citizens of Canada and Mexico

Transit visa for traveling through the U.S. on your way to visit another country

Apply for an Immigrant Visa About a million people a year receive Green Cards, designating them as new permanent residents of the United States. Many of those people arrive in the U.S. through an immigrant visa. Top Types of Immigrant Visas Most people who come to the U.S. using an immigrant visa receive one of the following types: Family-based visa, for those with a family member who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Employment-based visa, which generally requires a job offer from a U.S. employer Key Steps for Obtaining an Immigrant Visa In most cases, someone must “sponsor” you, or file an immigrant petition for you. Once the petition is approved, and there is a visa available in your category, you apply for an immigrant visa. You do this through a U.S. consulate abroad. Find one in your country in this directory of U.S. consulates. Get a medical examination. Go to an interview. You’ll then receive a decision on your application. Review the details of this process for getting a family- or employment-based visa. Another way to seek an immigrant visa is through the Diversity Visa Lottery program. This program lets people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates take part in an annual drawing for an immigrant visa. After You Get Your Immigrant Visa Once you get your immigrant visa, you’ll have to pay a USCIS immigrant fee before you’ll receive your Green Card. The best time to pay the fee is after you pick up your immigrant visa from the U.S. consulate, before you leave for the United States. When you receive your immigrant visa, you’ll get a sealed packet of documents to give officials at the U.S. port of entry. If you pass inspection, you’ll be admitted to the U.S. as a permanent resident, and will receive your Green Card in the mail. Don’t Apply for an Immigrant Visa If You’re in the United States If you’re already in the U.S., you do not have to apply for an immigrant visa to become a permanent resident. Instead, you can apply for a Green Card through an adjustment of status. This way, you won’t have to return to your home country to complete visa processing. You’ll still have to go through key steps like those required for an immigrant visa application: Someone must “sponsor” you, or file an immigrant petition for you. Once the petition is approved, and there is a visa available in your category, you apply for a Green Card from within the U.S. Get a medical examination. Go to an interview. Wait for a decision on your application.

Presidential Proclamation on Immigration On September 24, 2017, the president signed a presidential proclamation that makes changes to the immigration policy. These agencies provide information to the public about presidential proclamations and Executive orders related to immigration and have the latest information about traveling to the U.S. : Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Department of State (DOS) If you are outside the United States, you may be able to find more information from the U.S. Embassy in your country.

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Last Updated: September 14, 2020