People who are not American citizens who come to the United States generally have to obtain a visa. This is a document that identifies your status and your reason for coming here. Because people have many different reasons for coming to the United States, there are...
Immigration
What is a national interest waiver?
If you want to obtain an employment-based green card, you undoubtedly already know about labor certifications. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a labor certification qualifies as proof your employer cannot find a U.S. worker who can do your job. Sometimes,...
Rights of undocumented immigrants under federal law
In the United States, the federal government controls most immigration laws. Some states or cities give undocumented immigrants additional rights. For instance, New York law makes it a crime to extort or coerce someone by threatening to report his or her immigration...
How do you qualify for an O visa?
If you hope to enter the United States for work-related purposes, you must first obtain a work visa. Work visas fall into one of two categories: permanent or temporary. The vast majority of work visas are temporary. Temporary work visas allow citizens of foreign...
3 common questions about naturalization
Naturalization is the process by which people who were born in other countries can become citizens of the United States. If you successfully complete the 10-step naturalization process, you become an American citizen, with all the same rights and privileges as people...
Adjustment of status: changing to an immigrant visa
If you came to New York under a work visa, chances are you intended to return to your home country when the visa expired. However, life can change, and now you want permanent resident status. Depending on your situation, an adjustment of status application might be...
What can you do if you are found inadmissible to the U.S.?
An “inadmissible to the United States” determination is possibly one of the worst outcomes to your visa application you can receive. If you receive this determination, you may wonder what, if anything, you can do to either remain in the United States or return to it....
2 ways U.S. laws may protect immigrants
Immigration laws determine who may enter the United States, when or if they must leave, and who may become legal permanent residents and naturalized citizens. Federal rules of the United States govern immigration law. An immigrant visa is a permit to work in the...
U.S. citizenship: how to prove good moral character
If you live in New York for at least three months, are 18 or older and meet the requirements for naturalization, you may apply for citizenship. Although residency is an essential part of becoming a U.S. citizen, it’s not the only one. Becoming a naturalized American...
Does the US recognize marriages performed abroad?
If you are a U.S. citizen engaged to a foreign citizen and you want to tie the knot in another country, or you recently married a foreign citizen outside of the U.S., it is important to review immigration matters if you want them to live with you in the United States....