Want to know how to legally live in the US? Then you have come to the right place!
In this text, D4U Immigration will explain everything needed to legally live in the United States, the different types of visas and explore the differences between the Green Card and American citizenship.
Read on to find out everything about it!
What is required to legally live in the USA?
Legally moving to the US involves several steps and requires several documents. Here are some ways to live in the United States legally from types of american visas:
- Work visas: if you have specialized skills or a job offer from a US company, you may be eligible for a US work visa;
- Family visas: if you have close relatives who are US citizens or lawful permanent residents, you may be eligible for a family visa;
- Green Card: the Green Card allows you to live and work permanently in the USA. There are several ways to obtain a Green Card, such as through employment, family or investment in the country;
- Naturalization: process by which an immigrant becomes a US citizen. Generally, you must be a Green Card holder for a period of time (usually 5 years, or 3 years if married to a US citizen) before you can apply for naturalization.
Each of these options has specific requirements and can involve a complex application process.
For this reason, it is highly recommended that you seek the advice of an immigration advisor to better understand your options and ensure that you are following all procedures correctly.
How to legally live in the USA: check out the step by step
Now see some visa options to legally live in the USA in practice:
Family Based Visa (Green Card)
US immigration law allows family members of US citizens and lawful permanent residents to become lawful permanent residents (obtain a Green Card) based on specific family relationships.
The process is complex and involves several preference categories based on your relationship to a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.
The D4U Immigration team can help you understand which categories you qualify for and prepare your application.
E2, EB-1, EB-2, EB2-NIW, EB3 and EB5 visas
EB visas are aimed at prominent professionals, investors and workers in general. Each category has its own criteria and requirements, so having expert guidance through the process is essential. The benefit of EB visas is that it leads directly to American Green Card.
They are based on the work you will be doing in the United States or are related to some type of investment in the country. Understand:
- EB-1 Visa: aimed at outstanding professionals with national or international recognition in several areas, such as science, education, arts, business or sports;
- EB-2: aimed at professionals with successful careers considered above average;
- EB2-NIW (National Interest Waiver): aimed at scientists, airline pilots, doctors and other academic professionals and can be acquired based on professional and academic history, without the need for a job proposal. It is more common among the categories of rising professions in the United States;
- EB3: approved for applicants who have a job offer in the US;;
- EB5: known as an investment visa;
- E2: aimed at investors who want to make a financial contribution to their own business in the United States - this visa does not lead to a Green Card.
The D4U Immigration team has an in-depth knowledge of these visas and can determine which one is right for you, as well as provide guidance at every step of the application process.
K1 and K3 visas
The K1 and K3 visas are intended for fiancés and spouses of US citizens, respectively.
They allow the beneficiary to enter the US and, after marriage (in the case of the K1), apply for lawful permanent resident status.
The team at D4U Immigration has extensive experience in helping international couples navigate this emotional but often complex process.
Visa O
The O visa is for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics.
It requires a significant amount of evidence to demonstrate the applicant's level of achievement.
D4U Immigration specialists can help you understand the eligibility criteria and gather the necessary documentation to strengthen your application.
TN visa
Finally, the TN visa is a special category for citizens of Canada and Mexico, allowing them to work in the US in specific professional occupations.
The staff at D4U can help you understand if you are eligible for a TN visa, and help you prepare and file your application.
Is it possible to live permanently in the US with a tourist visa?
No. It is not possible to permanently reside in the United States on a tourist visa.
The tourist visa, also known as the B-2 visa, is intended for temporary travel for leisure purposes or medical treatment.
It does not allow the holder to work or study in the US, but it does not provide a path to permanent residency or citizenship.
Staying in the US beyond the period authorized under a tourist visa can result in serious consequences, including being banned from returning to the country in the future.
If you want to live permanently in the US, it's important to explore other visa options, such as employment-based or family-based visas, which can eventually lead to permanent residency.
What is the difference between green card and US citizenship?
Green Card and US citizenship are two different legal statuses that a person can have in the United States.
The Green Card allows a person to live and work permanently in the United States and Green Card holders are considered lawful permanent residents of the United States but are still citizens of their home country.
They have certain rights and responsibilities, such as the obligation to obey all US laws and the right to work and live permanently in the country, however, they cannot vote in federal elections and can be deported if they commit certain types of crimes or violate the conditions of your residence.
US citizenship, on the other hand, is a more permanent status and comes with more rights and privileges.
US citizens have the right to vote in all elections, can travel on a US passport, have access to all US government and social benefits, and cannot be deported.
Furthermore, only US citizens can hold certain public and government offices.
An individual can become a US citizen by birth, by having parents who are US citizens, or by naturalization, a process that usually involves being a lawful permanent resident (i.e., a Green Card holder) for a certain period of time, go through an application process, pass a citizenship test, and take an oath of allegiance.
That is, the main difference between the Green Card and US citizenship lies in the level of rights and privileges that each status grants, as well as the permanence and immunity from deportation that US citizenship offers.
Get in touch with D4U Immigration right now and start your immigration process to the United States!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to legally live in the US, it's time to start your immigration journey, that is, collect all the documents and start your application.
The first step is to contact a well-known and respected immigration advisor in the market.
So, don't miss the opportunity and contact D4U Immigration today! We are the best US and Latin American immigration advisory and we will help you to fulfill the American dream.
