What is a U.S. Visa?
(Separate Website)
If you?re a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you?ll need a visa to enter the United States.
A visa doesn?t permit entry to the U.S., however. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate, and that the officer has determined you?re eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. This web site contains more information about visas into the United States.
By: U.S. Department of State
Visas for Visiting the United States
(Separate Website)
Welcome to the Visa section of travel.state.gov, an official source of information about United States ( U.S. ) visa policy and procedures. We hope you?ll use this site to learn about different types of U.S. visas, the application process, and to better understand the requirements you need to meet in order to receive your visa.
By: U.S. Department of State
United States Visa Policy
(Separate Website)
The U.S. is a free and open society. We welcome citizens from around the world who genuinely want to visit, study, and do business here. We are dedicated to protecting their safety and keeping our doors open to them. Changes in visa procedures reflect our concern for ensuring the safety of U.S. residents and visitors alike, not to make it more difficult for legitimate travelers to enter the United States. This web site contains more information about changes in the process to obtain a U.S. Visa.
By: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Visa Types for Immigrants Seeking Permanent Residency
(Separate Website)
In general, in order to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative(s) or by a prospective employer. Major immigrant categories are:ˇ Immediate Relatives ˇ Special Immigrants ˇ Family-sponsored ˇ Employee-sponsored. This web site contains more information about permanent resident visas.
By: U.S. Department of State
U.S. Visa Information for Immigrants Seeking Permanent Resident Status
(Separate Website)
Foreign citizens wishing to immigrate to live permanently in the U.S. must comply with U.S. visa immigration law, and specific procedures to apply for your visa. Click on the links below for more information on forms to use for visa applications, photograph requirements and more. Based on law, not everyone will receive a visa to come to the U.S. Learn about denials, ineligibilities and waivers.
By: U.S. Department of State
Visas for Family Members (Frequently Asked Questions)
This document answers frequently asked questions about the kinds of visas that are available to family members of U.S. Citizens and residents.
By: Catholic Charities
Student Visas
(Separate Website)
If you want to study in the United States in an academic institution or to take language training in English, you may be able to receive an F-1 student visa. An academic institution may be a university, an established college, a private high school or a private elementary school. Study in a public high school or a public elementary school may be possible, but only under very limited circumstances. If you plan to study in a public high school or elementary school you should consult with a lawyer before doing so to avoid serious problems.
By: The American Immigration Law Foundation
Foreign Labor Certification
(Separate Website)
Hiring foreign workers for employment in the U.S. normally requires approval from several government agencies. Certain visa categories first require employers to seek labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Once the application is certified (approved), the employer must petition the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) for a visa. Approval by DOL does not guarantee a visa issuance. The Department of State (DOS) will issue a visa number to the foreign worker for U.S. entry. Applicants must also establish that they are admissible to the U.S. under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This site provides information to assist an employer in preparing a labor certification application in any one of the several employment-based visa programs.
By: U.S. Department of Labor
Obtaining a U.S. Visa
(Separate Website)
This guide takes you though the basic steps on what you can expect throughout the process.
By: U.S. Department of State
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
U.S. Citizens Going Abroad
U.S. Passports
(Separate Website)
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport. A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports. This web site contains more information about U.S. passports.
By: U.S. Department of State
General Immigration Information
Immigration Basics - Overview
(Separate Website)
This web page explains basic information about immigration classifications in the United States and describes the process for adjusting your classification.
By: The American Immigration Law Foundation
Basic Immigration Law
This document contains basic information about immigration law in the United States, answering the following questions: Where do U.S. immigration laws come from? What agencies administer U.S. immigration laws? Who gets U.S. citizenship? What are the immigration rules that allow non-citizens allowed to be in the U.S.? What are the ways that a non-citizen can immigrate to the U.S.? How can you change your legal status under U.S. immigration law? How do non-citizens lose their immigration status? How do you become a U.S. Citizen? Once you become a naturalized U.S. citizen, can you lose that status? The document is excerpted from An Introduction to Law in Georgia, Fourth Edition, published by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 1998 (updated 2004).
By: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Answers to Common Questions - How Do I . . .
(Separate Website)
The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has created a series of documents that they call "How Do I ??s" These documents cover a wide variety of topics on immigration matters and are meant to assist you in finding the information you need about a particular immigration and asylum subject. Each How Do I ?? starts with background information on the chosen topic, and then helps answer your questions about INS procedures. Each How Do I ?? links you to information on the INS Website and, sometimes, to relevant information on other U.S. Government Websites. These links go to the relevant sections of immigration law and federal regulations, to instructions on applying for immigration benefits, the correct form and fee, and so on.
By: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Related Information
Beware of Dishonest Immigrant Consultants
(Separate Website)
Recent immigrants who don't speak English fluently are easy prey for dishonest people who pretend to help them. This brochure, by the National Consumer Law Center helps you protect yourself against dishonest immigrant consultants.
By: National Consumer Law Center
Read this in:
Chinese / 中文
,
Korean / 한국어
,
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Espaņol
,
Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Check Your Immigration Status Online
(Separate Website)
If you have an application receipt number, you can check the status of your case online.
By: U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Electronic Visa Application Forms
(Separate Website)
Welcome to the Electronic Visa Application Forms Instructions Page. Forms available on this page can be filled out on-line and assist in the processing of your application.
By: U.S. Department of State
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Immigration Basics - Permanent Residence
(Separate Website)
If you want to live permanently in the United States, you have to be sponsored for an immigrant visa by a close family member who is a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident (Ōgreen card holderĶ), or you can be sponsored by a U.S. employer who wants to hire you on a permanent full-time basis. The process to obtain an immigrant visa is highly regulated. Having a family member or an employer sponsor is only one part of the immigrant visa process. U.S. immigration laws for the immigrant visa application process include numerous requirements. If you came to the U.S. illegally, or if you have ever been arrested, or if you have ever worked without authorization from the immigration service or remained in the U.S. beyond a departure date, or if you have ever failed to tell the truth when applying for a U.S. visa, you should consult with a lawyer before applying for an immigrant visa.
By: The American Immigration Law Foundation
Make an Appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(Separate Website)
Make an Online Appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
By: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Read this in:
Spanish / Espaņol
Information on HIV Waivers for Immigrants
This document describes the law relating to HIV Waivers which allow non-US citizens with HIV infections to visit the United States.
By: Catholic Charities
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
LegalAid-GA is a project of Atlanta Legal Aid Society, Georgia Legal Services Program and the Pro Bono Project of the State Bar of Georgia. The project is funded by the Legal Services Corporation and the Georgia Access to Justice Project and produced in cooperation with Pro Bono Net, the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and legal service organizations and government agencies throughout Georgia and the United States.
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