In order to live permanently in the United States, a foreign citizen needs to be sponsored by an immediate relative who is at least 21 years old and a US citizen or a Green Card holder.
There are 2 types of Family Based Immigrant Visas: Immediate Relative and Family Preference.
Immediate Relative visas are based on a close family relationship with a US Citizen.
The number of immigrants in these categories is not limited year over year.
Family Preference visas are for specific relationships with a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)
The number of immigrants in these categories is limited each fiscal year.
Family-based immigrant visas are available to family members of United States citizens, and available to lawful permanent residents.
They are divided into two categories: immediate relatives and family preference relatives.
Individuals may become a United States citizen either at birth or after birth.
To become a citizen at birth, an individual must:
Have been born in the United States, or certain territories or outlying possessions of the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; or
Had a parent or parents who were citizens at the time of your birth (if you were born abroad) and meet other requirements.
To become a citizen after birth, an individual must:
Apply for derived or acquired citizenship through parents; or
A Green Card allows you to live and work in the United States permanently. It is known as a Permanent Resident Card, allows you some rights and responsibilities; and is required for you to naturalize as a US Citizen.
The process required to obtain a Green Card varies depending on your situation. Please visit the USCIS Green Card page for more information.
If you want to attend an academic institution as a full time student in the United States, you will most likely be required to obtain a Student Visa.
There are two types of nonimmigrant visa categories for those studying in the US. For more information on the types of Visas and the criteria which must be met, please visit the USCIS Students and Employment website.
In most cases, if you want to visit the United States, you need to obtain a visitor visa. However, there are some exceptions, for more information please see U.S. Department of State website.
If you are visiting the United States for reasons other than business or pleasure, you will need to apply for the appropriate visa. For more information on which visa you would need, please visit the USCIS Explore My Options page.