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Are you an expatriate looking forward to traveling to America? Whether you have been asked by your company to move over or are simply pursuing your own dreams in the land of opportunity, there may be some questions on your mind. Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions that may be helpful.
Q: What do I need to enter into the U.S.?
A: Most citizens of overseas countries will need to obtain a visa in order to enter the United States. Furthermore, you will also need a passport, which is your own country’s identification for you. There are two main classes of visa: nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visa to live and work permanently in the country.
Q: Should I apply for a nonimmigrant temporary visa or a permanent visa?
A: If you are traveling to the U.S. for a specified amount of time, or for medical treatment, religious charity, or media-related work, then a temporary visa will suffice. However, if you are going to be living indefinitely in the U.S. then a permanent visa will be required.
Q: Whom do I contact for a visa?
A: You must fill out a petition for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services department. Once your petition is approved, it will be sent to the National Visa Center for processing. At this point, the center will provide you with further instructions regarding forms, fees and documents that you have to fill out in order to qualify for a visa.
Q: Why does America reject so many visa applications?
A: America can be a difficult country to enter, because according to the Immigration and Nationality Act, all persons who enter the United States requesting to be seen as non-immigrants and are considered immigrants until they show “binding ties” to the their home country. Visa applications for tourists are usually rejected because the applicant does not have enough binding ties to his or her own country to convince the consular officer that immigration isn’t the only reason for applying. For visitors hoping to come to America, face-to-face interviews are required and the waiting period can be long. However, for persons with special skills, American family members or those who have been requested by employers, the process is slightly less difficult. The key point is that you must secure work in America before coming over.
The immigration process can be grueling for American citizenship. Even after all non-returnable processing fees have been paid, most applicants will have to pay over $1,000 and wait a few years before actually migrating to their new home state.