From Studying To Permanent Residence In America – What Important Steps To Take

Starting a new life in the United States is a dream for many people, who are looking for steady and well-paid employment, prosperity, the opportunity to grow personal wealth, access to medical care, a fairer rule of law, and good quality education. 

Every year, thousands of people are moving to the U.S to study at university or gain employment and full-time residency. The benefits and positive effects resulting from a short or long-term stay in America are well worth going through the procedures required to legally live, study or work in the country. 

When moving to a new country, it is expected of individuals to be aware of and adhere to immigration laws and the process that must be followed. The process of immigration can be problematic, stressful, and frustrating, however here are a few important steps to take when relocating for study or permanent residency. 

Check The Requirements For A Work Visa 

Once you have been hired by a company in the United States, you will have to apply for a work visa and permit, issued with a photo identity card provided by the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The process of collecting and filing documentation to get a work visa is complex and convoluted, and according to the immigration lawyers at Bayou City Law, it is likely to continue that way or even become more difficult. For those with the financial means, it is often worth hiring an immigration lawyer to assist you with all the paperwork and application procedures.

The work visa in the U.S is labeled the H1B visa, which must be sponsored by and applied for by the visa applicant’s employer. The  H1B visa is reserved for workers viewed as skilled or particularly sought after in an industry with job shortages, so for example doctors, engineers, scientists, and software developers are more likely to be granted H1B visas. 

Apply For A Student Visa

America is a popular destination for international students looking for a quality university education. After getting accepted at a university you are legally required to get a student visa, which is known as the “F1” visa.

The documentation you must submit at the U.S consulate to get an F1 visa includes:

• A passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
• A completed application form for a non-immigrant visa.
• A completed I-20 Form stating admittance and ability to pay tuition fees for at least one year at a registered university which grants a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status.

Learn About Immigration Laws

The constant changing of immigration laws, regulations and rules is a complex situation which many would-be immigrants to America may find confusing and frustrating. 

One of the first things you should do before and during a visa application is to make sure you understand all the relevant laws related to immigration to the U.S.A. 

Studying immigration laws will inform you about what criteria must be met and the required documentation, adding strength to your application and increasing the chance of your visa being approved. Here it is worth noting that immigration cases are handled on a case-by-case basis, so submitting the correct documentation and following legal procedures is key to getting a visa. 

Prepare For A Visa Interview 

One step in the visa application process is organizing an appointment at a U.S consulate in your home country, when arriving at the consulate the staff will take a digital photo of you and scan your fingerprints. 

Next, you will be personally interviewed by the consulate staff who will ask you about your reason for requesting a visa as well as asking for further documentation if necessary. If you are applying for an H1B work visa you will have to provide educational documents such as transcripts and degrees, whilst getting an F-1 student visa requires evidence that you can pay tuition fees and living costs for the duration of your studies. 

Find An Affordable Immigration Lawyer

Some people worry that hiring an immigration attorney is going to be expensive, however, the costs can be controlled if you do some market research into what other people paid previously and decide to pay a flat rate instead of an hourly rate which can soon add up if there are problems with the application. There are many benefits to hiring immigration lawyers who can assist you with a visa application as they have great knowledge and connections so that you can comfortably avoid all the tiresome paperwork and problems that could occur if you try to navigate the application procedures yourself.

Applying for a student or work visa in America can be quite a headache, however, if you follow the steps of researching immigration laws and visa requirements, carefully filling out application forms, preparing for the interview, and hiring an immigration lawyer you will find the process easier.