What is an Immigration Status and what are the different types?
Immigration laws in the United States are very complex, so it is important to know what your immigration status is. There are many types of immigration status, and each has its own rules and requirements.
Immigration laws in the United States are very complex, so it is important to know what your immigration status is. There are many types of immigration status, and each has its own rules and requirements. If you do not have a clear idea of your immigration status, it is advisable to consult with an immigration attorney. In this article we explain what an immigration status is and we give a brief explanation of the different types that exist.
What is an Immigration Status?
An immigration status is the permit or visa you have to stay in the United States. Without this permit, no immigration process can be started, so it is important to be very clear about your current immigration status and if you meet all of its requirements. There are people, commonly undocumented immigrants, who believe that an immigration process can be started without knowing what their status is. This, of course, is not true and will only cause frustration and unnecessary waste of time and money.
- Permanent Resident (Green Card)
The permanent residence or green card allows you to remain in the United States indefinitely, as well as work legally within the country. Obtaining permanent residence requires that you have a job, be married to a US citizen, or be the parent of a US citizen child.
- American citizenship
American citizenship grants its holder all the rights and benefits of a native American. They can be applied for after having been in the United States for at least five years as a permanent resident or immediately after obtaining permanent residence.
- Student visa
The student visa allows you to study at an accredited educational institution in the United States. To process it, the applicant is required to have an endorsement or letter of acceptance from an educational institution and to have enough money to pay the cost of staying in the country.
- Vacation Visa (B-visa)
The vacation visa is the most common and allows you to stay up to six months in the United States. It does not allow you to work or study, but it does allow you to carry out tourist activities.
- Temporary Visa (H-visa)
The temporary visa is similar to the vacation visa, except that it allows you to stay longer in the United States and allows you to work. They can be requested for a period of between six months to two years, depending on the type requested.
- Permanent Visa (J-visa)
The permanent visa is the perfect visa for those who want to reside in the United States indefinitely and possibly obtain American citizenship after a certain period of time. To process it, the applicant must be employed by an American employer and have enough money to pay the expenses of staying in the country.
- Special Visa (O-visa)
The special visa is a temporary visa that is granted to people with extraordinary ability or talent in certain areas, such as the arts, education, scientific research or journalism.
To obtain any of the above types of visas, the applicant is required to have a valid passport and a valid visa. The documents required to process the visa will vary depending on the type of visa requested.
