Image via Wikipedia

US Immigration and US Visas are two very different matters, as one can apply to the US for a US visa for very many different reasons, whether immigration is the ultimate goal or not. Visitors to the US who are simply taking a vacation do need to fill out a visa application . . . and apparently (I haven’t counted them but have been reliably informed) that the US has more than 60 different types of non-immigrant US visas (meaning that they’re just visiting and not intending to stay).

US Visas

Just a small sample of US visas . . .

• travel US visas
• work US visas
• family US visas
• trainee US visas
• student US visas
• business US visas

US Visas & Greencards

The USA is one of the most desirable places to live, so it’s little wonder that there are very strict immigration laws and procedures in place . . . I know it’s a big country but that doesn’t mean that there’s plenty of room for everybody you know. One way in which you will be allowed to live permanently in the United States, living, moving and working freely is to have a green card (if you are not already a US citizen of course).

There are lots of different ways in which you may qualify to apply for a greencard, falling basically into these categories;

• US Greencard through your family – if a member of your immediate family has a greencard, or is a US citizen and is willing to sponsor you, then you may be eligible to apply for a Greencard and be entitled to live and work in the USA permanently.
• US Greencard through your work – if you are highly qualified in a profession which is in short supply in the US you may qualify for a greencard, or alternatively if your employer needs you to work in the US (and can put up a good case for you and will sponsor you) then you may be able to immigrate to the US and have a greencard.
• US Greencard through refugee or asylum status – you can apply for a US visa if you can prove that returning to your country of origin and citizenship will put you and your family in specific danger.
• US Greencard through marriage. If you marry a US citizen then you are entitled to US citizenship, however, there have been thousands of blushing brides and bridegrooms who have taken advantage of this situation, and hoax marriages have been rife. These days it’s not so easy to say “I do” and then go your separate ways and pawn your wedding rings, you’ve got to prove that you really do love each other and want to be together forever . . . aaaaaaaah!
• US Greencard immigration through business. If you have the finances in place and the ability to establish a company which will offer much needed employment to US citizens then you may be in with a chance. You’ll need to invest a minimum amount of cash and be able to prove that you can support yourself for a couple of years until your business starts to make a profit, but hey, America is the land of opportunity, so if you can prove that you have the means to make your dreams come true then you’ll probably be welcomed with open arms . . . just so long as you can prove where you got the cash from in the first place.