US Visa Programs
There are many US visa programs available for individuals who want to relocate to the United States to live as permanent residents (i.e., Green Card holders) or as temporary legal residents of the United States.
US Immigrant Visas and Permanent Resident Green Cards are designed for individuals who are planning to live in the United States long-term. Green Card holders can live and work in the United States for an unlimited time period; enroll in educational programs; sponsor eligible family members for a Green Card; travel to and from the US according to the residency rules; purchase a home; start a business; receive Social Security and other benefits if they qualify; get a driving license in the state where they live; open a US bank account; and apply for American citizenship after they live in the USA for a minimum of five years and meet other eligibility criteria.
Temporary Non-Immigrant US Visas are designed for individuals who are planning to live in the USA for a limited amount of time. Examples include temporary US work visas (such as the H-1B Work Visa) and student visas (such as the F-1 Student Visa). These types of US visas are generally valid for about 1-3 years and usually have an option to be renewed for a certain amount of time if the visa holder meets the requirements.
Whether you become a permanent or temporary legal resident of the United States, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a high standard of living in one of the world’s most prosperous countries!
Employment-Based Green Cards
US Employment-Based Immigrant Visas and Permanent Resident Green Cards allow skilled immigrants and their family members to live, study and work in the United States for an unlimited period of time and provide a pathway to American citizenship.
There are 140,000 Employment-Based Green Cards issued yearly through five categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-4 and EB-5) and each has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
The EB-1 Immigrant Visa is designed for skilled immigrants with extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, business, education or the sciences; top researchers and professors; and particular multinational executives or managers.
The EB-2 Immigrant Visa is created for skilled immigrants who are members of a profession who hold an advanced degree or individuals who can demonstrate exceptional ability in the arts, business or the sciences.
The EB-3 Immigrant Visa is reserved for professionals with at least a Bachelor’s Degree; skilled foreign workers with a minimum of two years of post-secondary training or experience; and certain unskilled workers with less than two years of post-secondary experience or training.
The EB-4 Immigrant Visa is designed for “special immigrants” such as certain foreign broadcasters or religious workers who plan to live and work in the USA long-term.
The EB-5 Immigrant Visa is created for immigrant investors who make the required investment in a US commercial enterprise and who will preserve or create a minimum of 10 full-time permanent jobs for eligible workers in the United States.
Applicants who satisfy all of the requirements and procedures to receive an Employment-Based (EB) Immigrant Visa and Green Card will be allowed to live, study and work in the USA, along with their eligible family members, for an unlimited period of time and can receive many other privileges as well.
Diversity Immigrant
Visa Program
The US Diversity Immigrant Visa Program (DV-Program) seeks to further diversify the population of the United States by offering a Diversity Immigrant Visa and Permanent Resident Green Card to individuals born in countries with historically low levels of immigration to the USA who also satisfy the education or work experience requirement.
Up to 55,000 US Diversity Visas and Green Cards are granted each year to DV-Program selectees and their eligible family members who complete the consular process successfully.
One of the DV-Program requirements is for the main applicant to be born in a country whose natives are eligible to participate as listed by the US State Department prior to the annual registration period usually held in October.
Another DV-Program requirement is for the main applicant to have completed a minimum of 12 years of formal primary and secondary education or two years of full-time work experience during the previous five years in an eligible occupation listed by the US Department of Labor as Special Vocational Preparation (SVP) level 7.0 or above (which requires at least two years of experience or training to perform).
Applications for the Diversity Visa Program are accepted during the annual registration period usually held each October.
Participants of the DV-Program who are selected for further processing and also pass the consular interview will be issued a US Diversity Immigrant Visa and Permanent Resident Green Card.
US Green Card holders can live, study and work in the USA for an unlimited time period and receive many privileges, including the option to apply for American citizenship after living in the US for five years and meeting other requirements.
Temporary
Work Visas
There are several non-immigrant temporary US work visas available to thousands of skilled foreign workers annually that permit them to live and work in the USA for a specific amount of time.
Temporary non-immigrant US work visas are generally issued for about 1-3 years, depending on the particular visa type and other factors, plus there is usually an option to renew the work visa for an additional period of time if the foreign worker meets the requirements.
Accompanying family members of the temporary non-immigrant US work visa holder can normally apply for the relevant visa for family members.
Some examples of non-immigrant temporary US work visas include the:
E-1 Treaty Trader Visa – for citizens of countries that have a treaty of navigation and commerce or other qualifying international agreement with the United States who will conduct trade between the US and their country. The E-1 Treaty Trader Visa can be valid for up to two years and has an option to be renewed in increments of up to two years each time for as long as the individual continues to meet the requirements.
E-2 Treaty Investor Visa – for citizens of countries that have a treaty of navigation and commerce or other qualifying international agreement with the United States who make a substantial investment in a genuine US enterprise. The E-2 Treaty Trader Visa can be valid for up to two years and has an option to be renewed in increments of up to two years each time for as long as the individual continues to meet the requirements.
H-1B Work Visa – for skilled foreign workers in specialty occupations that usually require at least a Bachelor’s Degree and specialized knowledge. The H-1B Work Visa is valid for up to three years and has an option to be renewed for up to three additional years (a total of six years) if the skilled foreign worker qualifies. Furthermore, the H-1B Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA for six years with an H-1B Work Visa can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder. Up to 60,000 H-1B Work Visas are issued each year to skilled foreign workers, plus an additional 20,000 H-1B Work Visas are made available annually to eligible international students who graduate from qualifying US post-secondary educational programs.
L-1 Work Visa – for qualifying managers and executives or employees with specialized knowledge who are employed by a foreign company and will transfer to the United States in order to work in a managerial or executive position or to provide services utilizing specialized knowledge at a branch of the same foreign company. The L-1 Work Visa is valid for up to 1-3 years and has an option to be renewed for up to two years at a time. The maximum stay including renewals is seven years total for the L-1A Work Visa (managers and executives) and five years total for the L-1B Work Visa (employees with specialized knowledge). The L-1 Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA with an L-1 Work Visa for the maximum number of years allowed can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
O-1 Work Visa – for people who have demonstrated extraordinary ability in the arts, athletics, business, education or the sciences, or extraordinary achievement in the television or film industry that has received national or international recognition. The O-1 Work Visa is valid for up to three years and has an option to be renewed if the person qualifies. The O-1 Work Visa has “dual intent” which means an eligible skilled foreign worker who has been living in the USA for a certain number of years with an O-1 Work Visa can apply for “change of status” to become a US Permanent Resident Green Card holder.
Student
Visas
The United States has the largest international student population in the world, with 1.1 million foreign students living in the USA.
The US is a popular destination for students from around the globe, because of its world-class education programs and the high quality of life that is available.
Over 400,000 F-1 Student Visas are issued every year to international students who have been accepted to enroll full-time in qualifying academic educational programs (including language training programs) at accredited universities, colleges, conservatories, seminaries, secondary schools, primary schools or other approved academic institution in the United States. The F-1 Student Visa is usually valid for the duration of status (i.e. contingent upon maintaining status as a full-time international student enrolled at an approved academic program in the US).
There is also an M-1 Student Visa that is issued to international students who have been accepted to enroll full-time in a qualifying vocational or technical training program or other approved non-academic program (excluding language training programs). The M-1 Student Visa is usually valid for the duration of status (i.e. contingent upon maintaining status as a full-time international student enrolled at an approved vocational, technical or other qualifying non-academic program in the US).
Accompanying family members of the student visa holder can normally apply for the relevant visa for family members.
Criteria for
U.S. Visas
Criteria for a US visa must be fulfilled before the visa is issued. Each type of visa has requirements that are specific for it; however, here is a list of requirements that are common amongst all types of US visas
Programs for US visas that are specifically designed for skilled foreign workers often require certain education, work experience, skills and other criteria. Examples include the Employment-Based (EB) Immigrant Visa programs and temporary work visa programs. There are additional programs for visa applications tailored to other concerns that have different criteria for eligibility.
Since there are so many different US visa programs available, it can be challenging to know which visa program to apply for or which program one may be most eligible for. Don’t worry! The experienced You Can Relocate legal team can evaluate your eligibility and let you know your best options for relocation to the United States. Our legal team, working together with the well-trained You Can Relocate immigration specialists, can also guide you through each step of the application process, assisting you with gathering and preparing the required forms and documents, as well as answering your questions about the process. The goal of the You Can Relocate company is to make your US relocation experience as fast and easy as possible for you to complete.
Why Is U.S.
Relocation Popular?
More than one million people relocate to the United States every year, making the US the world’s top relocation destination.
The United States is also home to approximately 47.8 million immigrants, which is more than any other country.
There are many reasons why the United States is the #1 destination for international relocation, including the following:
- America is the land of opportunity where immigrants can find success.
- The United States welcomes more immigrants than any other country.
- Large immigrant communities are found all across the United States.
- There are abundant job openings in the world’s largest economy.
- US jobs generally pay good wages and often include extra benefits.
- Federal, state and local laws protect workers in the United States.
- Permanent and temporary legal residents can enjoy a high quality of life.
- World-class education programs can enhance career and earning potential.
- The US is one of the best countries for entrepreneurs to start a business.
- Legal residents of the United States have freedoms protected by laws.
- The majority of households in the United States own a home.
- US consumers have access to a wide variety of products and services.
- The United States is a big, beautiful country with endless things to do.
- Green Card holders can become American citizens after living in the US five years.
