Mon, Jan 30th, 10:21 AM
There are many reasons why you might need a US passport. In general, if you are a US citizen, you should secure a US passport as soon as you can. A passport allows you to travel in and out of the United States, and it provides a space for any visas you will need when traveling to foreign countries. A passport or passport card allows you to cross the border into Canada and Mexico, as well. Even if you are only traveling across the border by car or boat for very short period of time, you generally need a passport to enter the US again.
A US passport is only available for US citizens. If you are a green card holder or someone who is visiting the US on an immigrant or non-immigrant visa, you will need a passport from your home country in order to leave and re-enter the United States and in order to get a visa to put into your passport so that you can remain in the United States on a temporary basis. Depending on your status, you may also need a travel document or other authorization document to leave the United States and return again.
When you are outside of the United States, your US passport is an important travel document. It not only allows you to re-enter the United States, but it ensures that you can get help at a United States Embassy or Consulate if there are any problems while you’re traveling abroad. If you run into any legal problems or if a natural or man-made disaster hits your travel destination, your US passport can ensure that you can visit a US embassy or consulate in order to get help. If you lose your passport while traveling abroad, you also need to visit the United States Embassy or Consulate in order to get a travel document to return home.
There may be other reasons why you want a US passport. Even if you are not traveling, for example, a passport can serve as identification in many situations. In some cases, can also help you prove your United States citizen status.
Mon, Jan 23rd, 2012
If you have a close family member who is a US citizen, you may be qualified to apply for green card through family sponsorship. There are in fact many green card options for green card family sponsorship. For example, US citizens can sponsor immediate relatives, including children, spouses, and their dependents. US citizens can also sponsor their siblings as well as other family members. Lawful permanent residents, on the other hand, can sponsor immediate relatives only.
When considering your options for applying for a green card through family sponsorship, carefully consider your options. If you have more than one family member who is a US citizen, for example, carefully consider which person would make the best sponsor. The waiting times for family sponsored green cards very widely. In general, the closer your relationship to a family member, the less time you need to wait in order to get your permanent residence. However, the country where you are applying from can also make a difference to the amount of time you will need to wait to get your green card. In addition to considering your family relationship, you will need to also consider the financial situation of potential sponsors. Family members who sponsor you for a green card will need to sign an affidavit of support, promising to financially support you while you are in the US. Your sponsors will also need to show that they have the financial means to support you in the US.
You may wish to check the USCIS website in order to view the current waiting times for different family sponsorship categories. You may find that in some cases you may need to wait years in order for a green card to become available for you, even if you have a close family relationship with a US citizen. This is the case especially if you are emigrating from a country that already accepts many immigrants into the US every year. In some cases, you may wish to consider all your options for immigrating to the US. For example, you may find that applying through employment sponsorship rather than family sponsorship can get you to the US sooner so that you can be reunited with your family more quickly. When applying for a green card, it pays to consider all your options – including family sponsorship – and to choose the option that makes the most sense.
Mon, Jan 16th, 2012
Unless you are born to US citizen parents or are born in the US, you must apply for US citizenship through naturalization. To do so, you must meet the requirements for US naturalization. In most cases, to become a US citizen, you must:
1) Be the age of majority (at least 18 years old)
2) Meet residency requirements. This means that you must have resided in the US as a legal immigrant in the USA for a specific time. The exact amount of time varies depending on your specific circumstances. For example, most applicants must have resided in the US as lawful green card holders for at least five years. If you are married to a US citizen, however, your residency period is three years. Refugees must generally wait four years. If you move often or spend considerable time outside of the US, this can affect your citizenship application. However, the USCIS does make provisions for members of the military and for students, who may face reduced residency requirements. In addition to having to remain in the US for a specific amount of time, you must keep in mind that you must remain in one US territory or state for a specific period of time before applying to become a US citizen. In most cases, you must have lived for at least three months in the state or territory from which you are applying.
3) Be of “good moral character.” Generally, this means that you must not have been convicted of certain serious crimes and have shown that you can be a good US citizen. If there is something in your past that you feel may bar you from becoming a US citizen, you may wish to consult with a qualified US immigration attorney before applying for citizenship.
4) Read, write, and speak English. Your English language skills will be tested during the citizenship interview and test. In some cases, elderly persons who have resided as lawful permanent citizens in the US for many years may not need to meet these language requirements.
5) Understand the basics of US civics, government, and history. Your knowledge in these subjects will be tested during the citizenship test.
6) Understand and agree with the U.S. Constitution.
Mon, Jan 9th, 2012
When filing an application to sponsor a family member for a US green card, you will typically need to file some type of affidavit of support, generally either the I-864 Affidavit of Support or the I-134 Affidavit of Support. In a visa application, the affidavit of support plays an important role. It shows immigration officials that you are willing to support your family member once in the US, to ensure that your family does not rely on tax-funded public benefits in the US. In fact, by signing an affidavit of support, you are legally obligating yourself to take care of your family in the US while they pursue a green card.
Whether you need to file an I-864 Affidavit of Support or an I-134 Affidavit of Support will depend on the type of family green card application you are filing. You will generally need an I-864 Affidavit of Support if you are filing a visa application for a spouse and you will need an I-134 Affidavit of Support if you are filing for a fiancé(e) (k1 or K3 visa applicant). You will need an I-864 for most visa applications for immediate relatives and also for some employment-based immigration applications. The two types of Affidavit of Support differ in other ways as well. For example, the I-864 Affidavit of Support is legally binding. If you and your spouse are separated, you will still be financially responsible for your spouse, to ensure that they do not become a burden on the state. As well, you can co-sign on an I-134 Affidavit of Support if you need some additional income or assets declared on the petition to be accepted. In addition, Form I-134 is much simpler and smaller. The two-page application asks for some basic financial information while the I-864 Affidavit of Support is more involved and requires much more detailed information. As a result, the processing times for the I-864 Affidavit of Support can be longer.
Despite the differences, the I-864 Affidavit of Support and the I-134 Affidavit of Support are similar in many ways. Both are necessary for some green card sponsorship applications and both forms will ask you to make statements about your financial resources, including income and assets. Both the I-864 Affidavit of Support and the I-134 Affidavit of Support require that you show that you are sufficiently above federal poverty guidelines to support your family member in the US.
Wed, Jan 4th, 2012
In most cases, when applicants apply for employer-sponsored or family-sponsored green cards, they must wait before a visa is available in order to get their us green card. This is because demand for visas is very high. The U.S. Department of State sets green card numbers at 226 000 per year for family-sponsored visas and 140 000 per year for employer-sponsored green cards. There are also limits on the number of visas allotted to every country each year. This means that if you have a lower preference category when applying for your green card and come from a country where many immigrants are seeking admission to the United States, you may need to wait a number of years for a green card to become available.
You may not necessarily need to wait to get a green card in 2012. If you have an immediate family member who is a US citizen – for example, a spouse – you may not need to wait to get a green card in 2012, since there are no limits on the number of visas available for immediate relatives. If you apply for and win the diversity visa lottery, you may also get a green card without having to wait.
If you have not won the visa lottery and are not an immediate relative of a US citizen, you will need to wait for your priority date in order to apply for a green card. This date is printed on the petition that is filed on your behalf. The Department of State also makes visa bulletins available, with information about upcoming priority dates. For example, the February 2012 bulletin indicates that family-sponsored petitioners who are not subject to country limits can seek a visa number if their priority date is before 15 Oct 04. For applicants applying from the Philippines, China, or Mexico, the priority dates are different, as there are many immigrants from these countries.
It is possible to view the latest bulletins by visiting http://www.travel.state.gov to get the latest updates.
Tue, Dec 27th, 2011
If you are an immigrant, 2012 is a great time to set goals. Setting immigration goals can give you the boost you need to take care of your immigration petitions. Some goals you can set include:
1) Immigrate to the USA. If you have always wanted to live in the US, 2012 is a great year to get started. Visit the USCIS website or us-immigration.com to review all the choices that are now available to those who wish to travel or live in the US. By 2013, you could be living and working in America!
2) Apply for a green card. If you qualify for a green card, you will want to apply for one as soon as possible. A green card gives you many advantages, including the right to travel more freely and the right to live and work permanently in the US. If you qualify, you should make it a priority to apply for a US green card. If you do not yet qualify, you may wish to spend part of 2012 determining how you might qualify for this coveted status in the future. There are many paths to a green card – start this new year to ensure that you get your permanent residency.
3) Resolve immigration issues. If you have outstanding issues, such as a deportation, an expired visa, a rejected immigration petition, or other problems, contact the USCIS or a qualified US immigration attorney early in 2012 to take the necessary steps to resolve the problem.
4) Apply for US citizenship. If you are qualified for US citizenship, apply early in 2012 – you could celebrate the next New Year as a US citizen!
5) Lobby for immigration rights. 2012 promises to be a big year for immigration rights. The US Supreme Court will likely rule on Arizona’s immigration law, SB 1070, in June 2012 and that decision could set the precedent for immigration laws in other states. As well, President Obama will likely be making proposals regarding immigration policy. 2012 is a good time to get involved by taking part in organized lobbies or by writing to your elected representatives.
Mon, Dec 19th, 2011
The US government allows dual citizenship. If your home country allows you to maintain a second citizenship, you may be able to retain your original citizenship while enjoying all the privileges of US citizenship. The advantage of dual citizenship is that you do not have to give up close links to your home country. By having citizenship from both countries, you can also travel on either a US passport or on a passport from your home country. This can make it easier for you to travel back and forth between the two countries, especially if you plan to travel often to see family and friends back home.
However, there are some potential drawbacks to having dual citizenship. For example, you may need to pay taxes in your home country. If your home country has required military service, maintaining your citizenship may still commit you to this requirement. You will also need to obey the laws of both countries. In addition, the very highest levels of security clearance in the US typically require you to be completely free of foreign influence, so you will generally not qualify for this level of security clearance with a dual citizenship. However, for the vast majority of Americans, this level of security clearance is not necessary.
The first step in obtaining dual citizenship is to decide whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for you. The second step is to find out whether your home country does permit dual citizenship. If the country does not, you will be surrendering your native country citizenship when you become a US citizen through naturalization. You will want to be aware of this.
If you have considered carefully and your home country does permit dual citizenship, applying for dual citizenship is as simple as applying for US naturalization by filing Form N-400. When you become a US citizen, you will not give up your original citizenship (as long as your home country permits dual citizenship) and you will be both a US citizen and a citizen of your home country. You do not have to file a special form or request to enjoy US dual citizenship.
Mon, Dec 12th, 2011
When you are traveling outside of the US, it can be extremely stressful to have your wallet lost or stolen. It can be even more stressful lose your wallet if your us green card was in it. If you are a permanent resident of the US, you will need to travel with your green card, as you will need this document to re-enter the US or even to board an airplane headed for the US. If you are in a country where you do not know the language, especially, you may worry about getting help after you lose your US green card.
The good news is that there are a few things you can do before you leave for your trip to safeguard your green card. For example, you can photocopy the green card and keep a copy in a safe location so that you can access it. You can also keep some of your identity documents in a safe place when you travel – such as a hotel safety deposit box.
If the worst happens and you do lose your green card while traveling abroad, there are a few steps you will need to take in order to be readmitted into the US. You will need to visit the local police station in order to file a police report about the lost green card. Keep a file of this report so that you can prove that you have lost your green card. File a lost report in the local newspaper and buy a copy of the newspaper and keep a receipt of the payment for the ad so that you can show that your card was stolen. Most importantly, you will need to visit the nearest US embassy or consulate at your destination to report your green card as lost. If you do not know the local language well, visit the embassy or consulate first, as this is the place where you will likely get the most help.
Visiting the local US embassy or consulate is important because officials can arrange a “letter of transportation” for you. You will need to file a form, submit passport photos, and pay a filing fee in order to get a letter of transportation. You will also need to have a valid passport. The letter of transportation will allow you to re-enter the US without your green card. Once you are back in the US, you will still need to file USCIS Form I-90 to replace your lost or stolen green card.
Mon, Dec 5th, 2011
If you have family in the US, you may wish to visit them from time to time. Unless you are a US citizen, you will need to secure a US visa in order to do so. In order to enter the US to visit family, you will need to generally apply for a B-1 visa or B-2 visa, both of which are non-immigrant visas which allow you to enter the US temporarily for personal or business reasons. While in the US on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, you will be able to visit family and friends, take part in tourist activities, and temporarily stay in the US. You will not be allowed to take part in work or study in the US on this visa.
In some cases, you may not need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to visit family in the US. If you are the spouse or child of a US visa holder, including a J-1 or F-1 visa holder, for example, you may not need a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or you may need a different visa to enter the US. If you have a spouse or parents in the US on many visas, you may be able to secure a visa that allows you to live with your family in the US. As well, if you are a resident of a country approved by the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program and you will be traveling to the US for 90 days or less, you might not need a B visa at all in order to enter the US. You may request admission to the US at the border and once admitted you can attend family functions and take part in tourist activities with your family. As with the B visas, you will not be able to work in the US, live in the US, or study in the US if you are admitted under the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program.
If you wish to visit your family for longer than just a few months, you may want to arrange for a family-sponsored US immigration visa. If some of your family members are US citizens and are willing to sponsor you, you may be able to apply for a US green card through your family’s sponsorship. Having a green card will allow you to travel more freely to the US and will allow you to live and work in the US permanently, so that you can be closer to your family.
Mon, Nov 28th, 2011
Filling out US immigration petitions and applications usually requires some help. The various US immigration processes and forms can be quite complex, so most petitioners require some help. If you need help, you can contact the USCIS or make a USCIS appointment through InfoPass.
However, there are also many online resources that can help you prepare for an application, citizenship test, or can help you answer basic questions about US immigration:
1) The USCIS website. The USCIS website is a great online resource. The site contains frequently asked questions, the latest versions of every USCIS form, and much more. Be sure to check out the portal for new immigrants at uscis.gov for basic information that most newcomers to the US need.
2) Check at your local library. Your local librarian can help you find legitimate and trusted sources of information online and in books. Your local library catalogue may also have research portals that can help you find more information online. If you don’t have internet access at your home, your local library can also provide you with free or low-cost internet access at library branches in your area.
3) The American Immigration Center Inc. The American Immigration Center Inc. has many valuable and even free resources for immigrants, including an informative blog and a whole list of immigrant resources to review.
When reviewing online resources, be wary about where the information comes from. Keep in mind that virtually anyone today can create and publish a website, so just because some information is available online, that does not mean that the information is legitimate. Check the dates of any resources you find online – old information is likely outdated, especially since the USCIS frequently changes its policies and forms. In addition, make sure that you check where the information comes from. Is the author an expert in the subject of US immigration? If not, trust the USCIS website and the resources listed above if you are looking for immigration information online.
