Online Guide to U.S. Visas, ESTA, Green Cards & More
United States Immigration Services is a major publisher of immigration guides and legal eBooks. Our do-it-yourself immigration guides are designed to assist immigrants in navigating the complicated United States immigration system. We strive to provide the best information about immigration to the United States.
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We are not affiliated with the United States government. We publish over 100 unique eBooks about immigration to the United States. Our mission is to help immigrants through the complex United States immigration system with our do-it-yourself immigration guides.
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You can find information on topics that are frequently requested by Americans, such as driver’s license applications and passports.
U.S. Visas
To obtain a US immigration visa a few different types are available such as an employment visa (usually for skilled/extraordinary workers), which involves getting sponsored by an employer. For US citizens who have family members, it is possible to obtain a family visa. A fiancé visa allows the holder to reside and work in the USA once the visa has been approved.
ESTA Visa Waiver Program
To obtain an ESTA for visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you must complete an online application and receive your approved ESTA. There are currently 40 countries that participate in the VWP, and if you are a citizen of any of those countries, you may apply online. Once you have an approved ESTA you can visit the United States for up to 90 days for holiday, business trip, short-term study program or medical reasons.
A Green Card is proof of legal permanent resident status in the United States. A U.S. Green Card allows you to live and work in the United States and then become a naturalized citizen. Each year, the government issues over 1 million green cards. This cardholder is considered a permanent resident of America. He or she has many of the same rights and privileges as citizens.
You don’t need to give up your citizenship
You can renew your green card every ten years. You do not have to surrender your citizenship in your home country to obtain a Green Card or live in the United States territory.
You can easily travel to the US
It is easy to travel to the United States using a Green Card. Green Card holders are legal permanent residents and can enter and leave the country at their will. U.S. Customs and Border Protection may inspect you upon your return from the United States. However, other than that, you are free to travel within the country.
Family and Friends
The family members of green card holders enjoy many benefits. To help their family members obtain green cards, they can also sponsor their spouses or children. They can also apply to permanent residency for distant relatives, such as parents and siblings.
Federal Benefits
The federal government offers a variety of benefits to green card holders. If they have worked in the system, they can apply for social security benefits and Medicare. After five years of being a green card holder, they can sponsor their family members and apply for U.S. citizenship.
Occupation Opportunities
The United States offers many employment opportunities to green card holders. They can work in any occupation and not be restricted to specific industries or sectors as a lawful permanent resident. They may also open their own business or become self-employed.
Participation in politics is possible, but not voting
The United States allows green card holders to vote in certain areas of U.S. politics. If they meet the requirements for voting in the state where they live, they can vote in local and state elections. Green card holders cannot vote in federal elections such as the presidential and congressional elections. Only U.S. citizens can vote in these elections.
You cannot be deported to your country of birth
In most cases, green card holders are exempt from deportation. They cannot be deported from the United States if they don’t commit any crimes that would render them ineligible for permanent residency or violate their green card terms. Green card holders may still be deported if they are found guilty of criminal activity or a security risk.
United States Citizenship is one step above permanent residence (Green Card). U.S. Citizenship gives you the most rights to immigration in the United States. Citizens have many options. Celebrating Citizenship Day, we reduce some of these benefits and encourage lawful permanent residents (LPRs), who are eligible for citizenship, to take the next step toward becoming U.S. citizens.
U.S. Citizenship
The status of being a citizen of the United States is called United States citizenship. You can obtain it by naturalization or birth in the United States or one of its territories. A U.S. citizen has many rights and responsibilities. These include the right to vote and the ability to hold certain government jobs. You can also sponsor family members to immigrate. U.S. citizens can travel freely with a U.S. passport as long as they are protected under the laws and government.
Protection against deportation
United States citizenship offers a substantial level of protection from deportation. You cannot be deported from the United States as a U.S. citizen unless you are convicted of a serious crime. The U.S. citizen has the right to stay and work in the United States without fear of being expelled.
Citizenship for your children
If you are a U.S. citizen with a child born in the United States, you may be eligible to apply for U.S. citizenship. This is done through the U.S. consulate overseas. The child will receive a U.S. passport along with a certificate of citizenship. If you are a U.S. citizen and adopt a child from another nation, you may be eligible for U.S. citizenship.
Family reunification
You, as a U.S. citizen, have the right to sponsor family members for entry to the United States. This is known as “family-based immigration” and allows U.S. citizens to petition to allow their spouse, children, parents, or siblings to live and work in the United States. U.S. citizens may also sponsor their fiancee to come to America through the “K-1 visa” process. This allows U.S. citizens to bring their fiancees to the United States to get married. Sponsored family members can be granted permanent residence and eventual U.S. citizenship.
Eligibility for government jobs
United States citizenship gives you an advantage in obtaining certain government jobs. U.S. citizens are not allowed to apply for many government jobs, especially those in the federal government. These positions can include those in law enforcement, intelligence agencies and the military. Americans earn between 50 and 70 percent more than non-citizens and have higher employment rates.
Freedom to travel
A U.S. citizen can travel internationally with a passport. This is the most powerful travel document in the world. You can enter most countries with your U.S. passport, whether you have a visa upon arrival or a visa that you need. U.S. citizens can also return to the United States if they have traveled abroad. This is not always true for non-citizens. This allows you to travel wherever you want and not worry about being denied entry to the United States.
You are protected by the law
The law gives citizens of the United States the right to equal protection and due process. They have the right to fair trials and to fair treatment by the legal system. U.S. citizen has the right to vote. This allows them to take part in democratic processes and to have their say on laws that impact their lives. The Second Amendment protects the right of U.S. citizens to bear arms. These rights and protections do not apply to non-citizens and can vary depending on immigration status. You will have all the rights and protections available to U.S. citizens if you apply for citizenship.
It is illegal to work in the United States without a visa or permit. This could lead to legal action against the person. Travelers are not allowed to work under several visas. You cannot receive a salary in the US or any other remuneration under ESTA travel authorization or B visas.
To work in the U.S., including part-time, travelers must apply for an US work visa. It is a good idea to verify the contents of any business activity while you are in the U.S. and the duration in advance. Below are the types of temporary work visas available in the United States.
E-2 Treaty Investor Work Visa
A person who plans to invest in a US business can use the E2 visa to allow them to come to the US and manage and grow their business. The visa allows those who are essential to running the business, such as managers or people with special skills to also come to the US.
Visa for Religious Work Visa
The R-1 Religious Work Visa allows people working in religion to temporarily visit the United States to perform religious work. This applies to both religious leaders as well as people who work in the religious field but are not considered leaders.
L-1 Intracompany Transferee
As a manager, executive, or in a job that involves specialized knowledge, you can work in a parent, affiliate, or branch of the employer. The L-1 visa applicant must be a consistent worker for the same employer over the last three years.
H-2 for Skilled and Unskilled Workers
The H-2 visa allows U.S. employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in nonagricultural positions. This visa is granted to non-agricultural workers who are temporarily employed in construction, landscaping, housekeeping and other jobs.
H-1C Nurse Work Visa
The H-1C visa for registered nurses is a non-immigrant visa that allows them to temporarily work in certain healthcare facilities. The H-1C visa was specifically created to address the problem of a chronic shortage in registered nurses in certain regions of the United States.
H-1B for College-Educated Professionals
The H-1B visa allows for special skills in finance or technology to work in the United States.
H-3: Special Education visitor or Trainee
The H-3 visa allows non-immigrants to enter the United States to receive training in specific areas. The worker must have a plan to return home after the completion of training.
O-1 Extraordinary Achievement or Ability
The O-1 Employment Visa targets individuals who have exceptional achievement or talent in science, business, math, the arts, education, or athletics. These include those who provide essential support for the above-mentioned individuals.
P visa for artist or entertainer
The P visa is an American non-immigrant visa that allows artists, athletes, and entertainers to come to the United States for work. There are three types of P visas: P-1, 2 and 3. They are for internationally recognized performers and reciprocal exchange performers.
E-3 Work visa available for Australians
The E-3 visa allows Australian citizens to apply for a non-immigrant visa that will allow them to work in the United States. Although similar to H-1B visas, the E-3 visa is available only to Australian citizens. It also has a lower annual limit.
Tourists to the US to visit for business or pleasure and citizens of participating countries in the VWP program do not need to apply for a B Visa at the US consulate abroad. They don’t need to be interviewed by consular officers and pay only $160 for visa application fees.
The USA can be used as a transit country
Visitors to the US who have been granted visas under the VWP are allowed to travel to Canada, Mexico, and other nearby countries. For the 90 days remaining after their initial arrival, they will be readmitted to the US.
Reduction in Application Time
Applying for an ESTA visa takes less than 15 minutes. It can take up to two to three working days to process your application after you have completed the registration form.
For pleasure and business, short-term travels
The most frequently issued visas in the United States are the B1 and B2 visas. The B1 visa can only be used for business travel. However, the B2 visa may be used for tourism purposes.
Family, Relatives, and Friends
App lying for B visas is the most common. This can be done to visit relatives and friends in the U.S. or to make short-term business trips to the U.S. to conduct business discussions, negotiations, and site inspections.
We offer many services you cannot get from the U.S. government and unique guides written by immigration specialists.
Green Card Services
A valid Green Card is required for all permanent residents of the United States. You should immediately apply for a replacement Green Card if your Green Card is stolen, lost, destroyed, or expired. If you have an expired Green Card, you are an illegal immigrant. A stolen green card could also mean that it could be used for illegal activities, which could lead to legal consequences.
We recommend taking precautionary measures to avoid any of the scenarios discussed above. You should be aware of the expiry date for your green card and plan ahead to renew it. Report a stolen green card within 48 hours. Get your Green Card Renewal Application or Green Card Replacement Application started today!
1. ESTA Application
The Visa Waiver Program allows travelers from 40 countries to apply online for ESTA and travel for up to 90 days in the United States. These travelers can travel to the United States for business, pleasure, or short-term studies with an approved ESTA. ESTA is an electronic form that allows leisure and business travelers to travel to the United States. There are a few steps you need to take before you can apply for an ESTA visa waiver.
Learn how to obtain an ESTA to ensure a smooth trip to the United States.
2. Address Change
Willfully failing to give the USCIS written notice of an address change (Form AR-11), within 10 days after staying in the United States for more than 30 days is a misdemeanor. If you refuse to change your residence address or notify the relevant institutions, you could face legal penalties or even deportation. You can change your address easily without visiting or notifying any official institutions. You can update your address with USCIS to comply with the law.
3. ETIAS Application
ETIAS is a new Europe visa that will be issued to travelers from more than 60 countries. ETIAS and ESTA have many similarities, but they also have important differences. ETIAS approval is required for any American resident who intends to travel to Europe after November 2023.
ETIAS applications take less than 15 minutes to complete. You should be cautious when filling out the application form. Any discrepancy, misspelling or omission could result in your application being rejected. You should also understand what ETIAS covers for travel and whether you are eligible to apply. The European visa waiver application requires you to meet several requirements.
US citizens and certain Green Card holders are required to complete the online ETIAS application. Learn how to use ETIAS to make your next trip to Europe hassle-free.
