1. USA Work Visa
2. USA Study Visa
3. USA vIsit Visa
4. USA Business Visa

Immigration to USA

The United States of America (USA) welcomes travelers from all over the world to either come as temporary visitors for short-term basis or to immigrate to the USA.

Therefore, there are two categories of visas issued by the USA authorities. The first is known as the ‘Non-Immigrant Visas’. This type of visa is for those people who happen to be foreign nationals wishing to come into the USA for leisure/tourism, business/temporary work, study, medical treatment and other related grounds.

‘Immigrant visas’ on the other hand, are offered to those foreign nationals who wish or intend to work or settle permanently in the USA. In majority of the cases, a relative (US citizen/green-card holder), can petition for his/her spouse, Son/daughter, Parents or brother/sister. Furthermore, an employer can also sponsor the individual or individuals who want to settle in the USA.

To sponsor someone, the relative or employer has to fill an application with the USCIS – US Citizenship and Immigration services. However, certain applicants can also appeal for an immigrant visa on their own behalf. This category includes investors or workers with extraordinary aptitude or talent. From the USCIS, the application is then advance to the suitable US consulate or embassy overseas for further processing. So for example, if you apply from Pakistan, you first need to either be sponsored by a relative/employer already settled in the UK who will send an application to the USCIC, which will be reviewed and later sent to the US embassy in Pakistan for further review, if you satisfy the criteria. The same applies for those individuals petitioning for themselves.

The process is a long one and requires the following:

Biographic data (there is a whole form on this)
Original plus photocopy’s of petitioner’s and applicant’s birth certificate.
Original plus photocopy of applicant’s marriage certificate (if applicable).
Original plus photocopy of evidence of termination of all previous marriages of both the applicant and petitioner (if applicable).
A signed original form from the petitioner and supporting documents which proves the individual offering to support the applicant. The petitioner/sponsor must show that he/she earns the amount of money mentioned on the affidavit
The petitioner must provide proof of legal status in the USA, a job letter, most recent tax forms, and recent pay slips.
The applicant needs to show any type of previously issued US non-immigrant visa. For example, a tourist visa, student visa etc.
Some recent color passport sized photos.