Each year about 1.3 million people immigrate to the United States Of America with a green card. Other methods of residing in the nation,such as a work visa or marrying a U.S. citizen, make up an estimated 1.8 million people. Immigrating to the United States is becoming progressively more difficult every year plus the total of new citizens is declining. The process can also be lengthy.

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa as a foreign citizen you have to have sponsorship coming from a relative who is a citizen of the U.S, a U.S. lawful permanent resident or employer sponsorship.

Relationship

Having family in the USA is one of the easiest ways of coming here and in the end gaining your own citizenship status. Normally it takes longer when compared to a skilled worker visa, however. The relative must be a mother or father, child or spouse. The process of immigration involves:

• Your relative must file an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, or USCIS

• Your sponsor will have to demonstrate her or his ability to give you support and accepts legal responsibility by signing an Affidavit of Support

• You will apply for an immigrant visa

Applying for a Visa

Once the petition is approved, the National Visa Center, or NVC, will assign you a case number. The next step is to pay applicable fees and start the paperwork process. You will need these documents, all of which have to be in English if applicable. In case you employ a translator, a statement signed by the translator indicating that the information is accurate and that she is competent to translate is needed.

• A valid passport that expires no earlier than 60 days prior to the expiration date on your immigrant visa

• Two photographs of yourself

• Civil documents from you and your sponsor/relative

• Medical Examination Forms

• Birth certificate

• Court and prison records

• Deportation documents

• Marriage, divorce or separation documents

• Military records

• Petitioner documents

Interview

Once your paperwork is filed with the NVC, you will be required to talk with an agent. You, your petitioner and immigration lawyers, if one is hired, is required to be at your interview. At this time you will submit your fingerprints and your original civil documents will be returned to you. Your medical examination, including all vaccinations, have to be done prior to your NVC interview.

Skilled Labor Immigration

Using this method of immigrating to the U.S. takes less time as there are more visa categories available. Coming to the United States as a skilled laborer requires:

• A college degree

• An official job offer including an agreement to pay immigration fees of about $8,000 to $10,000

• Skills certification

Individuals who go to the U.S. as a skilled laborer meet the requirements to receive a green card and apply to become a permanent citizen.

Immigration Attorneys

You’re not required to hire an immigration attorney, but it is strongly recommended for several reasons. The USA demands a lot of paperwork. The forms provided aren’t easy to understand. An immigration law firm does this paperwork everyday. They know what’s expected. It’s common for applicants to hit a snag with their immigration process. Immigration lawyers understand the system and will help you on your journey as soon as you submit your petition to the moment you pledge allegiance to the flag.

How U.S. Immigration Works is a post from: WiredWriter