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Your Guide to Getting a Visa to the United States
Assess Your Visa Type
Applying for a visa to the United States requires you certain reasons.
When you want to: join business events or meetings, visit family or friends, or explore for 6 months and less; you require a B (visitor) visa. This is needed if your country is not included with the waiver program of the visa.
A formal education within the country requires you an M or F (student) visa.
Participants for exchange programs and exchange students need a J or Q visa.
When you are a foreign entrepreneur and you want to establish a business within the country, you require an investor visa. If you're sponsored to work here, you should obtain an L or H visa.
A resident visa allows you to live within the U.S. permanently. If you want to live with your family before you even get your permanent visa, then you require a K visa.
Your Various Visa Choices
Several individuals who want to come to the country often ask what they need to do. The requirements can be complex, that is, if you're uncertain with your purpose. But when you're determined, applying for the right visa is a simple procedure.
Visas: The Reason For Moving
Moving to the country isn't as simple as moving to the next block. When you want to live in the U.S., you should have valid reasons. Perhaps you want to be with your immediate family. Or else, you're part of an exchange program or you want to study here. Whatever your reason is, be certain with it so you can get your visa.
Your visa application can be temporary or permanent. You need a temporary visa when visiting the country for a short duration. But when your stay is permanent, you need to obtain a permanent visa. You can also apply for a green card and for citizenship.
Are You Qualified?
Once your reason for visa application is set, then you need to assess the following:
The Qualification Of Your Application Basis
When you apply for a visa, you are not immediately granted with it. You have to meet certain criteria first. When you're qualified, you're given permission to get on with the application process.
Prove Why You Are Qualified
It isn't enough for you to state that you have a job offer or you want to study for you to be qualified.
In most cases, you have to prove your reasons due to the improved security of the U.S. after the 9/11 attack. The country wants to be certain with the background of the people who wants to visit.
Notes: The (INS) Immigration and Naturalization Service is substituted by the (USCIS) or United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security. It is responsible for organizing, tracking, and maintaining the security of the country.
Note #1: The Duration Of Your Stay
When you plan to stay for a period of 6 months or less, visit this page: tourist and business visas.
Note #2: For green card holders who want to apply for citizenship, You can only apply for this when you have had your green card for 3-5 years.
Legitimate Causes For Immigration
Be guided with the following legitimate reasons when you want to stay in the U.S. Each of these comes with an assigned status or a corresponding visa:
I. Employment
If you're hired as a legitimate worker in the U.S., you might be qualified for one of these