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Introduction
Have you ever thought getting a US visa is as challenging as finding a parking spot in downtown Texas during rush hour? You are not the only one. Many people have that same mix of hope and confusion, trying to figure out how to make their American dreams happen without jumping through a million hoops.
So, what is your big plan? You may want to walk through Central Park in the fall or catch up with family in sunny Texas. Whatever it is, wouldn’t it be great if the visa process were a little more straightforward? Here is the good news: Not all US visas are the same. Some are easier to get than you might think. A visa lawyer in Texas can help you understand the different visa options in the US.
If you want to settle in the US, you have many options. But it all depends on your situation. Some people are coming from faraway countries – and a plane might be the only way to get here. Others might be better off with boat access. And, of course, there is always the option of just crossing the land border. But even then, you need to decide whether to go through the northern or southern border, and you must have a valid visa to enter the US legally. Learn more about how to get a visa by talking with a visa lawyer in Texas.
Let us dive into the options that could help you come to the US quickly than you thought!
US immigration law
If you are thinking of moving to the US, what you need to do is prescribed in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which was enacted into law in 1952. The INA can be found in the US Code (USC), title 8. The law prescribes what future immigrants should know, like what documents to bring, how long it will take, and how much it will cost.
A brief overview of US immigration options
There are two broad types of visas to immigrate to the US, namely, immigrant visas and non-immigrant visas.
- US immigrant visas.
An immigrant visa is for those who want to settle in the US for good. If you are going to become a legal permanent resident or are granted a green card, you will need to produce this visa at the point of entry to the US. US Customs and Border Protection Officers will examine your immigrant visa and other documents you need before your green card is issued. You can get to know more about this type of visa at a consultation with a visa lawyer in Texas.
- Non-immigrant visa.
A non-immigrant visa is granted to foreign nationals wishing to remain temporarily in the US for employment, study, or tourism reasons. A student visa is an example. If you are looking for a way of entering the US unqualified, then perhaps your best bet is a student visa. You can easily get a student visa with the help of a visa lawyer in Texas.
Easiest US immigrant visa to get
Some of the easiest ways of immigrating to the US include the following:
- Diversity immigrant visa program – For the majority of people, the easiest route to the US is through the Diversity Visa Program. If you happen to be from a country that doesn’t contribute heavily to the US, then you stand a chance of getting a Diversity visa. Remember, however, that you can win the DV lottery but only as an underdog. If you are chosen, you will be issued an immigrant visa, which could lead to permanent residence. A visa lawyer in Texas can guide you through the process.
- Family-based immigration – If you have a relative who is a US citizen, especially if you are married, it will be simpler for you to immigrate under family-based immigration since normally there are no quotas or waiting. A visa lawyer in Texas can help assess your situation to decide if you qualify for this option.
- Employment-based immigration – For the employment-based green card, you will require an offer of employment from a US employer, so this is a less complex process for foreign professionals. If you desire to work in the US, a visa lawyer in Texas can make it happen.
- Student visa – A Student visa is the best option if you don’t want to have a job offer and move to the US.
- Investment-based immigration – You have to be rich enough to invest in an American business.
Other options
Getting an education visa to the US is also an easy way for foreigners to immigrate here without employment sponsorship. To be eligible for a student visa, you must become a full-time student in the US. Both are two-in-count: the F-1 visa, for international students desiring to undertake full-time studies in an accredited school, whether a college, university, high school, or language program, and the M-1 visa, for vocational students or non-academic schools, but excluding language training. A visa lawyer in Texas can point you in the right direction.
Then there is the J exchange visa, another way of studying in the US but not under the student visa category. If you want to live in the US forever, a green card is your key. The card permits you to work and live in the US on a permanent basis. To get one, you must have an immigrant visa to enter the US first. There are family green cards for US citizens and legal permanent residents who want to sponsor their family members to come in, and employment-based green cards for those who want to move to and work in the US.
The Department of State conducts the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program each year and releases 55,000 immigrant visas through a lottery. You should be from a country with low US immigration rates to be eligible. If you are lucky enough to get selected, you will have to go through a strict application process, which includes a background check and interview at an American embassy or consulate. You can easily navigate these visa options with the help of a visa lawyer in Texas.
Get help!
There are lots of ways to move to the US, and it can be pretty overwhelming trying to figure out the best option. We suggest reaching out to our visa lawyers at Gehi and Associates since they really know their stuff when it comes to different visas and can give you the information you need.
Our team of visa lawyers in Texas is all about making sense of US immigration laws and can help you with your visa application process.
If you have more questions about work-related immigration, family green cards, student visas, investment immigration, or the DV program, our visa lawyers in Texas are here to help. To see how they can assist you, just get in touch with us!
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