Information on Safe Migration
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How to obtain and apply for a residence permit or permanent residence in the USA if you want to immigrate
Ways to obtain a residence permit and permanent residence in the USA
Direct immigration. The US Embassy in Minsk does not issue immigrant visas. Immigrant visas for citizens of Belarus are issued by the American embassy in Warsaw. Immigrant visas are issued to Green Card lottery winners, for family reunification in the USA (including the K1 fiance(e) visa), as well as visas based on a petition from an American employer to work in the USA, profession, own business or investment in the USA.
Indirect immigration. Come to the USA on a non-immigrant visa, and while there, change your status to immigrant. This path requires much more time and money, but, unfortunately, for many it is the only possible way.
List of real ways to immigrate to the USA
- Immigration through the Green Card lottery.
- Immigration based on marriage to a US citizen.
- Immigration through a religious visa.
- Immigration through employment in the USA.
- Immigration through the L1 work visa for businessmen.
- Immigration through obtaining political asylum
- Immigration through obtaining a victim visa
- Immigration through investment in American business
Green Card is a permit to reside and work in the USA, which is awarded each year in a lottery.
You can fill out the lottery on the official website https://www.dvlottery.state.gov.
The specifics of the lottery is that to participate in it you do not need to have any extraordinary qualifications, diplomas or career history. It is enough to upload your photo and fill out the form online.
Previously, the lottery results came in an envelope, but in recent years, the Green Card support service checks the participants' applications independently, and then announces the result on the official website. You need to find out the list of winners yourself on the official website in the spring of 2020. After being declared the winner, the person will be invited to a special meeting where they will be told about all the opportunities and rights that this card provides.
It's quite simple to check the results on the website: Go to the site dvlottery.state.gov. Click on the link in the EntrantStatusCheck section. Enter your application number, personal data, year of birth, and then click the "Continue" button. After that, the participant will go to the page with the result.
Ways of indirect immigration
Immigration based on marriage to a US citizen
Coming to the US on a fiancée/fiancé visa (K1 visa), getting married within 90 days, changing status to conditional residence (up to 2 years), and then applying for unconditional residence (permanent residence). If you come to the US on a fiancée (fiancé) visa, you must get married within three months while the visa is valid. After that, you file a petition and receive the so-called conditional permanent resident status. After two years of living with your American spouse, you file another petition, undergo an interview with your spouse, and if everything is in order at the interview and there are no suspicions, you will receive the status of a permanent resident of the US, i.e., a Green Card. Possible questions at the interview after two years of marriage to a US citizen: http://www.us-visa.ru/immigration/interviewgreencard.htm
When concluding a marriage outside the US with subsequent оформления of an immigrant visa for a spouse (C1/IR1 visa). As a rule, the marriage takes place in the country of residence of the visa applicant. However, marriages in third countries (for example, the Czech Republic) are also possible.
Marrying a US citizen and changing status while in the US on any non-immigrant visa. Citizenship is available after 3 years of residence in the US.
Immigration through the H1B work visa
The H1B visa is issued to qualified workers for a period of 3 years. However, there is a limit — only 65 thousand people can be issued in a year. The employer will submit documents for the visa on behalf of the foreign worker, and he must prove that he could not find a suitable American for the position promised to you.
After going through all the official procedures, the foreign worker receives permanent resident status through employment. They receive a Green Card and live permanently in the US, and their family also has the right to live permanently in the US.
Immigration through the L1 visa for businessmen
Obtaining a business visa of the L1 category in the US can only be done based on a petition filed by a recruitment agency or directly by the employer. This document must be approved by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. The confirmation provided by the American side must come to the company in the US to which the foreign national will be transferred. And only after confirming the completion of these two procedures should you apply to the consulate directly for the L1 visa. Please note that the obtained approval is not an obligation to issue a visa; it is only confirmation of your travel purposes. To obtain the document, the candidate must meet a number of requirements.
The L-1 visa to the USA is granted for a period of three years, which can be extended if you are: a highly demanded specialist of the company; part of the management and top-management of the organization. The L-1 visa offers significant advantages for those who receive it. There is an opportunity to move freely within the USA, you can leave the country and re-enter without restrictions, and you can also apply for this business visa for members of your family.
IMPORTANT! If you leave or change your job while holding an L-1 permit, you will need to leave the USA in order to go through the visa application process again.
Immigration through the O-1 visa
If you are an outstanding athlete, musician, scientist, writer, dancer, you can apply for an O-1 visa. This is another type of work visa, so an American who wants to hire you or promote your talent must submit the application. You will need to provide all evidence of your talent — certificates, diplomas, recorded albums, paintings, concert recordings, and anything else that can confirm your talent.
The application review takes several months.
Immigration with the R-1 religious visa
Some time after arriving in the USA, religious figures can apply under the "special immigrant" category to the US immigration service to obtain a residence permit. To get a Green Card under the EB-4 program, you must submit the same package of documents as for the R-1 visa. And prove that until the moment of submitting the application, you worked for two years in this religious organization full-time, and will continue to work in the USA. Volunteers working 40 hours a week also fall into this category.
Immigration through obtaining political asylum or refugee status
There are two categories of citizens who have the right to ask the US authorities for political asylum. Those who apply for refugee status without entering America. Those who requested asylum upon entering the USA.
US legislation emphasizes the difference between obtaining refugee status and political asylum. The difference lies in the applicant's location. If at the time of applying they are in their home country, they are granted refugee status. If they enter America with a corresponding request, they are granted political asylum in the USA. The grounds for obtaining political asylum or refugee status include: racial background; religious affiliation; nationality; social group affiliation; political affiliation.
To obtain asylum, the applicant will need to prove that their well-being is threatened in their home country. Cases of persecution due to political views, religious beliefs, nationality, or belonging to a particular social group are suitable for filing an application. After submitting the application, the Citizenship and Immigration Service will thoroughly review everything and then inform about their decision.
In addition, if the political situation in the country from which the applicant fled improves, they may be deported.
Refugee status provides the opportunity to receive financial assistance. Initially, the authorities provide a grant of $400 per person. The subsequent amount of financial assistance, paid over eight months, will be slightly lower. Also, the authorities provide refugees with: food stamps; free courses to study the state language; help with renting housing; assistance in obtaining a loan.
Immigration through obtaining a victim visa
A U-category visa, also known as a "victim visa," is granted if you have been a victim or witness of a serious crime committed in the United States. This can include violence, human trafficking, abduction, and murder. The essence of the "victim visa" is that the US provides you with a residence permit in exchange for assistance in solving the crime. The visa is valid for 4 years, and towards the end of its validity, you can apply for a Green Card.
Immigration through investment in American business
The right to live and work in the US is granted by the EB-5 visa, given to entrepreneurs who decide to invest money in US business.
To apply for this visa, the applicant must guarantee an investment of at least $500,000 in the US economy over a five-year period, as well as create employment for at least 10 American citizens. The differences between this type of visa and others are quite significant. The applicant does not need to provide information about their skills, language knowledge, work experience, etc. This document also allows not only the applicant but also their family to go to America, to officially work, start a business in the US, receive education, and enjoy all other rights granted to US citizens, except for voting. Having obtained such a business visa, you have a full opportunity to become a citizen of the country.
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