Immigration policy
THE BASICS:
Visas
The U.S. Department of State issues visas to foreign nationals traveling to the United States through its embassies or consulates . However, you do not need a visa for your business meeting or for vacation if you are a citizen of any of the 38 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
If you’re in the U.S., you do not have to apply for an immigrant visa. Instead, apply for a Permanent Resident (Green) Card by filing for an adjustment of status. The advantage of this is that you won’t have to return to your home country to complete visa processing.
If you’re outside the U.S., apply for an immigrant visa through a U.S. Department of State embassy or consulate abroad.
Both procedures involve several key steps.
The U.S. Department of State issues visas to foreign nationals traveling to the United States through its embassies or consulates . However, you do not need a visa for your business meeting or for vacation if you are a citizen of any of the 38 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
If you’re in the U.S., you do not have to apply for an immigrant visa. Instead, apply for a Permanent Resident (Green) Card by filing for an adjustment of status. The advantage of this is that you won’t have to return to your home country to complete visa processing.
If you’re outside the U.S., apply for an immigrant visa through a U.S. Department of State embassy or consulate abroad.
Both procedures involve several key steps.
- In most cases, someone must “sponsor” you, or file an immigrant petition for you.
- Once the petition is approved, and there is a visa available in your category, you apply for either a Green Card or an immigrant visa.
- Get a medical examination.
- Go to an interview.
- You’ll then receive a decision on your application
Most people who come to the U.S. using an immigrant visa receive one of the following types:
-Family-based visa, which is based on being related to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
-Employment-based visa, which generally requires a job offer from a U.S. employee
-Another way to seek an immigrant visa is through the Diversity Visa Lottery program. This program lets people from countries with low U.S. immigration rates take part in an annual drawing for an immigrant visa.
-Review the step-by-step process for getting a family- or employment-based visa.
Entering the U.S.
When you arrive in the United States, you must show valid travel documents as part of the entry process. The documents you need depend on the country you are arriving from and your citizenship or status.
When you arrive in the United States, you must show valid travel documents as part of the entry process. The documents you need depend on the country you are arriving from and your citizenship or status.
Entry Denials
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conduct arrival inspections using the same criteria for all foreign nationals visiting the U.S. They decide your admission to the United States, even if all your travel documents, including your visa, are in order.
Note: While there are no rules prohibiting pregnant visitors from entering the United States, doing so to give birth is prohibited. A CBP officer will consider your pregnancy when deciding on your admission.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers conduct arrival inspections using the same criteria for all foreign nationals visiting the U.S. They decide your admission to the United States, even if all your travel documents, including your visa, are in order.
Note: While there are no rules prohibiting pregnant visitors from entering the United States, doing so to give birth is prohibited. A CBP officer will consider your pregnancy when deciding on your admission.
On September 24, 2017, the president signed a presidential proclamation that makes changes to the immigration policy:
Presidential Proclamation Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats
Presidential Proclamation Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats