The H-2A and H-2B programs allow US employers to bring foreign workers to the US in order to fill temporary agricultural jobs and temporary non-agricultural jobs. USCIS generally may only approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries that are designated as eligible to participate in the programs. USCIS may also approve H-2A and H-2B petitions for nationals of countries not on the list if it is determined to be in the interest of the US; this is taken on a case by case basis.

In addition to the 53 countries currently on the list, the following five countries were added for 2012: Haiti, Iceland, Montenegro, Spain and Switzerland.

Effective 18 January 2012, nationals of the following 58 countries are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B programs: Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Kiribati, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Samoa, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tonga, Turkey, Tuvalu, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Vanuatu.

Global Visa Support offers a variety of programs in United States of America. Please visit our USA page for more information: http://globalvisasupport.com/usa.html

Here we will focus on first type of settlement that is the sponsorship by a family member.

The following is the whole process to get a sponsorship:

1. The sponsor must be a U.S citizen or a lawful permanent resident of U.S and can provide document to prove the status of relationship and background.
2. The family member must be a close one and the allowed sponsors can be: Spouse, Unmarried child under 21 years old, unmarried son or daughter over 21 years old, married son or daughter of any age, brother or sister or mother or father if the sponsor is at least 21 years old.
3. The sponsor must be completely willing and he has to file a petition filling up an I-130 form.
4. The sponsor must be capable of supporting the family members and can provide resources that will bring the whole family 125% above the poverty line.
5. After this I-485 is filled this is the final step to get green card.

To get a sponsorship and green card from the sponsorship of the employer:

1. Employer must determine that the person is eligible for lawful permanent residency.
2. A labour certificate must be issued mentioning that no skilful labour is available in US for the same purpose so labour has to be hired globally.
3. If the labour certificate is issued than the petitioner can file I-140 form along with I-485 form which is the ultimate step to get a green card.
4. Immigrant visa number is issued and priority date is checked.
5. If priority is current then the resident in US can change his status to lawful permanent resident or if he is abroad then he files for immigration in embassy.

The green card holds the foreign national’s photograph, signature and a fingerprint. This card also allows the holder to travel anywhere across the world and to return as long as primary residence in the U.S. is maintained. These cards can also be obtained through close family relations, employers etc. Visas are always available for the immediate family members of United Nations citizenship (spouse, parent and a minor child).

Green Card also refers to an immigration process of becoming a permanent resident, it serves as a proof of the holder that he or she is officially granted to reside and take employment in United States. One can apply for his or her green card after five years of his residency in the U.S. this period is also shortened to three years if Married to a U.S. citizen, or four years if permanent residency is received through asylum.  The process of obtaining a green card can be time consuming and complicated. Not all the foreign individuals are eligible to work in United States but if you are having the green card then no one can stop you working in U.S. Don’t create the impression that you are not living in the United States once you have obtained the green card. If you leave the United States for too long, you may lose your green card also.

Recent changes in the United States visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a U.S. green card. Several steps have been taken by the immigration authorities to reduce delays and speed up green card processing. Mostly, the immigration authorities’ intention is to deliver the green card within one month from the time of application. Sometimes it may take less time and sometimes longer.

It is very easy for a migrant who is living in United States for a considerable period of time to invest. This is because he would have gain a good understanding of the various aspects of the economy of the United States of America during his stay. He would have become more familiar with the functioning of economy. This knowledge of United States would help him in avoiding the culture shock which he would have otherwise faced. In these cases, getting accustomed and adjusted to the totally different culture of United States would be of prime concern.

Another advantage of this would be that he would have save some investment which could again be invested in United States economy. The task of researching and deciding about the regions to set the business and invest accordingly would be much more easy and simple if person have a good understanding of the economy.

Another advantage is that person would have proper understanding of local job market as well. The very basic requirement of getting EB-5 visa is that a minimum ten new jobs should be created for the local people and hence selecting right employees for jobs would not be so difficult. At the same time local job seekers would find it much easier to trust the immigrant as he is accustomed to local culture. This in turn will save a lot of money and time and subsequently would add to investment.

Since individual is already working in United States so he must have developed a vast professional network. This network can help him in promoting his business in easy fashion. An applicant can even work in collaboration with any American citizen.

Lastly an immigrant can be saved if he does not get involved in all deceitful and unlawful activities which might come in his way during the whole process of his venture.

It is always recommended for such profession to contact some good EB-5 attorney or any specialist in EB-5 who can help him in entire procedure.

The term Waiver stands for a kind of document provided to a person before a service is rendered by him. This waiver works as a security object for both the person as well as the provider.

‘Waiver’ holds the same significance in Visa Waiver Program too. Visa Waiver Program is a grant provided by the government of United States of America to the citizens of specific countries to travel United States for business or any other purpose for not more than 90 days without any Visa.

U.S. government has listed 34 countries under waiver program which are either the countries that possess higher economy or the developed countries.

A Pilot test of Visa Waiver Program was incorporated into Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) in year 1986 by the Immigration Reform and Control Act. This pilot program was made permanent on October 30, 2000 by a special Visa Waiver Permanent Program Act. Security of Visa Waiver Program was strengthened by the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 which made the entry under this program more difficult.

The greatest advantage that a Visa Waiver Program can give is that any person that wishes to conduct his business in America can travel to United States without any visa.

Any individual applying for this program has to obtain an authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before travelling. ESTA is an Automatic system that scrutinizes the eligibility of travellers wishing to visit United States under Visa Waiver Program. Application for the ESTA can be applied any time before your travel but it is highly recommended that its application should be submitted at the time of your travel plans.

Apart from the leverage that Visa Waiver Program provides, there are some issues to be taken care if you are applying for this program. You may not extend your status of being non-immigrant, if you are admitted once under this program. If you have violated any terms related to admission under this program then you cannot apply for the same anymore and in case if your admission is not accepted then you cannot take any judicial support for re-application.

Thus, if you fall under the privileged countries that come under Visa Waiver Program then you can surely apply for this facility that United States government provides.

L1 is a working class visa for the United States of America. Upon receipt of the approval on the L1 visa petition, your original documents would be required to be submitted. Under mentioned are the list of documents that would be required for the same.

1. The first requirement for the L1 visa would be a completed DS 156. This is the non immigration visa application form.
2. The next document in line that would be required would be the DS 157. This should also be completed in all respect.
3. Original receipt of the visa fee paid. This receipt would be issued by HDFC bank. (The HDFC bank would be applicable only if the application is from India).
4. A copy of the appointment letter for the interview at the embassy. This should be obtained at the time when the appointment was set up originally at the VFS.
5. A valid passport would also be required. Please note the passport should have a validity of more than six months at least.
6. A copy of the latest resume of the applicant would be required.
7. A copy of the original L1 petition that was submitted to the USCIS at the time of applying for the L1 visa.
8. A letter would also be required from your employer to the consulate would also be required, requesting for a L1 visa for your, it should also have details about your employment in the United States.
9. The above mentioned letter should be accompanied with all the other legal paper work that you should have received from your employer in the United States.
10. 2 photographs would be required, the specification for this is that, the photos should be 2” by 2” (50mm) square in shape, there should be no head covering, the background should be absolutely white in color. Please note that the United States consulate is extremely particular about these photographs. But you need not worry; any photo studio you visit would be doing it for you, if you tell them that it’s for the United States embassy.
11. Last but certainly not the least; you would be required to attach the demand draft for the visa issuance fee. You can know about the latest applicable rates either from the bank or from the net.

Being prepared with the above mentioned documents, would make your experience smooth at the United States consulate.

Primarily there are two ways by which you might become a citizen of the United States.

Birth – If you are born within the territorial boundary of the United States or, if you are born of an American parent, who already holds the American citizenship.

Naturalization – Naturalization refers to the process, where in you approach the United States government with a citizenship request, as per the policies laid down by the federal government.

Being a Citizen of the United States would bring in a bagful of rights for you. The same has been briefly discussed about here to give you an idea of the same.

Rights of an US Citizen

Voting – As a citizen of the United States you would have the right to cast your vote in the federal elections, and you would be able to exercise your choice in choosing the next president of the United States of America.

Serve as Jury – As a citizen you would have the privilege to serve as the jury, and you would have your liberty to pronounce a person guilty or not guilty in a trial in any of the federal courts where you would be invited for being present in the trial and there after expressing your opinion.

Invite to United States – As a Citizen you would have the right to invite your family members to the United States of America, who till date have been staying in some different country. You would also have the liberty to file a request for their permanent residency with you.

Obtain Citizenship – In case your children are born in a different country other than the United States you would be allowed to obtain a citizenship for them.

US Passport – Being a citizen of the United States of America would mean that you would be eligible to get an American passport and you would be allowed to travel with the same all over the world.

Work for Federal offices – As a citizen you would be allowed to apply for a federal job opening.

Grant Eligibility – You would be eligible for obtaining the benefits of the federal grants and the scholarships.