People all around the world considered United States as the dream country. It is known to be one of the most popular countries. It has attracted lots of foreigners from ages. Most of the people wished to relocate to the Australian cities and select America, when it comes to immigration. Country has full of immigrants, as most of the people believe that they offers hundreds of opportunities to the international students in terms of academics, employment, etc. However, immigration is not that easy. There are different ways of immigration and students must be fully aware of the options and the requirements.
For the permanent immigration in US or getting a permanent visa, it is important to have some kind of connection with the US Citizen, be it is, a family member or spouse so that they can have the petition for you. In other case, you can find a job in the country and ask your employer to apply petition for your visa. In other cases, you must be a refugee. You can also hire immigration lawyer to help you with visa application selection process, regardless of how you qualify.
Are you looking to apply for PR status? Follow the mentioned steps:
1. Assess the PR status eligibility – In the country like US, permanent residency is granted for some main reasons like employment, diversity promotion, family ties and status as a refugee.
a. If PR status is granted to the individual, a permanent visa will be given to you known as green card. This card states that you are the child, sibling, spouse or parent of the respective US citizen. To obtain a visa, that citizen can easily petition for you. In some cases, approval is not guaranteed and some kind of relationships is given higher preference.
b. Due to employment, the qualification of applying for permanent residency requires the employment security from any US company. From the department of labor, you can request them for the approval of labor certification. This process might be costly or long. Therefore, a company must have the strong desire to hire you, if you are agreed to fulfill the whole undertaking. These visas are provided for the encouragement of highly skilled citizens.
c. The qualification of PR status as a refugee is required to have a well-founded fear of persecution based on certain varieties of social status like religious or ethnic affiliation which could restrict your ability to return to your country of origin.
Important fact – The Company has introduced Diversity Visa Lottery program or Green card lottery for the citizen to qualify for permanent resident status. Under this, you must immigrate from the country with the low immigration rate to the US. In the last 5 years, if this figure will reach to less than 50,000, then you are eligible to submit the application for visa.
2. Submit a petition for a permanent visa – The application sponsor must be a US citizen who can submit your petition. It may vary according to the method in which you are qualifying for permanent residency, but it is important to have the family member who is an American citizen or your employer. This from must be approved before the consideration of permanent visa application by the US Citizenship and immigration services.
3. Review your supporting documents and application – Once the petition is done, a lawyer or the immigration law expert is required. A single mistake can reject the whole application and the law expert can work as your representative in the entire process. With this, you can enter into the National Visa Center Processing system, which could guide you in the pre-approval process. They are responsible for fees collection and supporting documentation. You will get the notification after receiving the application.
4. Submit your application, fees and other supporting materials – Under this process; waiting is the big part. After paying your fees, you should turn in your application and supporting materials which includes financial records (proves that you are not a financial burden to the country) and civil documents from your home country.
5. Have a medical examination before your interview date – It is important in terms of public health security when you enter another country. If you have any communicable disease, your doctor will determine and provide you the required vaccination. There is a special form known as I-693 which needs to be filled by the doctor and return it to USCIS in a sealed envelope.
6. Go to an interview – In the end, an interview with the government official will be conducted at US embassy (in most cases). The time, date and the location will be given to the concerned person. At the end, you will be told whether your application has been accepted or not.
7. Enter the Country – When you are entering the country, the permanent resident status will begin of you will go through customs.
a. Your green card needs to be renewed in every 10 years. Before its expiry, renew it immediately. For this, you can fill the form online or send it through mail. You can start your renew process when you completes 6 months so that you can have the plenty of time to perform the process.
How to apply for PR status |
Assess the PR eligibility |
Submit a petition for permanent visa |
Review your supporting documents and application |
Submit your application, fees and other supporting materials |
Have a medical examination before your interview date |
Go to an Interview |
Enter the country |
Are you looking for applying US citizenship? For this, you need to follow certain steps:
1. Reside in the country with a valid green card for more than 5 years – Before Getting the eligibility for US citizenship, it is important for the green card holders to reside in the country for at least 5 years. If you are married to an American citizen, then it is only 3 years. During that time, it is important to follow all rules and laws in regards with the green card.
2. Apply for naturalization – It is not important for the green card holders to apply for the citizenship of the country. It allows voting rights to the citizens, obtaining US passport, benefits from the federal government like social security and the ability to run for the elected office. The beginning of naturalization process requires filling the form recognized as N-400.
a. You have the right to appeal the decision, if your application is rejected. For the discussion, you can request for the hearing with the immigration officer. If it still not works, you can submit a form for reviewing the application in the court. This process will require additional fees like hearing and the court review.
3. Go to a citizenship interview – After your application processing, the interview will be scheduled by the citizenship and immigration department of the country. The interview questions are based on the application, your character, and general background, your attachment with the constitution, character and willingness to take oath.
Important fact - During your interview, you are under your oath. However, avoid lying during your interview otherwise your application might get rejected.
4. Pass the US citizenship test – After your interview, you will be scheduled for the citizenship test. Naturalization applicants take a test based on subjects like civics and English. It requires full preparation.
a. English part includes writing, reading and speaking. Sentence should be easily understandable to the organization’s agent, reading should be accurate and questions should be answered normally only when they will ask. Candidate will be given three chances to pass the test.
b. The Civics part includes government and history questions. Out of total 10 questions, 6 must be fully correct.
5. Take an oath to the country – Until you make the oath, you will not be considered as the official citizen. The candidates who pass their citizenship test were invited to attend the naturalization ceremony. In the ceremony, they have to give the oath to become the official citizen of the country.
Applying for US citizenship |
Reside in the country with a valid green card for more than 5 years |
Apply for naturalization |
Go to a citizenship interview |
Pass the US citizenship test |
Take an oath to the country |
Note – If you are not able to attend eh ceremony, you can take the oath immediately after the interview.
Conclusion
Here is the conclusion of the article which states that to become the official citizen of the country, United States, a candidate has to pass all the tests, interviews and all procedures. If you still have any query, you can feel free to contact at https://www.locusassignments.com/contact-us/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this post are that of the author and not those of locusassignments
Other Assignments