US Visa Categories

US visas are divided into two main categories:

1. Immigrant Visa:
   • Issued to individuals planning to live and work in the US permanently.
   • Typically sponsored by an employer or family member.
2. Non-Immigrant Visa:
   • Issued for temporary staysin the US for purposes like tourism, business, medical treatment, or short-term work.

US Green Card

A Green Card grants permanent residency in the US, allowing holders to live, work, and study anywhere in the country. After 3-5 years, Green Card holders can apply for US citizenship.

Did you know? Over 1 million Green Cards are issued annually by the US government.

Green Card Eligibility

1. Employment-Based Green Card:

• First Preference (EB-1):
  • Individuals with extraordinary abilitiesin fields like arts, sciences, education, business, or athletics.
  • Renowned researchers/professorsor multinational executives/managers.
• Second Preference (EB-2):
  • Professionals with advanced degreesor exceptional abilities in arts, sciences, or business.
  • Applicants seeking a national interest waiver.
• Third Preference (EB-3):
  • Skilled workerswith at least 2 years of experience/training.
  • Professionalswith a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

2. Family-Based Green Card:

• Spousesand unmarried children under 21 of US citizens.
• Parentsof US citizens (if the citizen is at least 21 years old).

Benefits of US Migration

• Access to world-class educationand top universities.
• High standard of livingand financial security.
• Diverse career opportunitiesand flexible salary packages.
• Pathway to US citizenshipafter 3-5 years of permanent residency.

US Immigration Eligibility

• Age: Must be 18 years or older.
• Education: Equivalent to or higher than US secondary education.
• Language Proficiency: Minimum IELTS 6+or TOEFL
• Work Experience: At least 1 yearof professional experience.
• Employment Offer: Optional but beneficial for certain visa categories.

How to Migrate to the US

1. Migrate as an Employee:

• Apply for a temporary work visa(e.g., H-1B, L-1) sponsored by a US employer.

2. Migrate Through Investment:

• Apply for an EB-5 Investor Visaby investing 500,000to500,000to1 million in a US business.

3. Migrate with Family:

• Spouses, children, and parents of US citizens or Green Card holders can apply for family-based immigration.

US Immigration Process

1. Check Eligibility: Determine your eligibility for the desired visa category.
2. Gather Requirements: Collect necessary documents (e.g., passport, proof of funds, employment offer).
3. Apply for the Visa: Submit your application through the appropriate channels.
4. Await Visa Status: Track your application and attend any required interviews.
5. Migrate to the US: Once approved, relocate to the US and begin your new journey.

Latest US Immigration Updates

February 06, 2025

• 2026 H-1B Cap Registration Opens: Registration begins at noon EST on March 7, 2025, with a fee of $215.

January 31, 2025

• Work Permit Extension: Green Card holders and H-1B spouses can now renew work permits for 540 days(up from 180 days).

January 25, 2025

• US Needs Indian Talent: Nasscom highlights the importance of Indian IT professionals in filling the US skills gap.

January 24, 2025

• Trump Supports H-1B Program: The US government emphasizes the need for skilled professionals to boost the economy.

January 18, 2025

• New US Consulate in Bengaluru: Aims to simplify visa processing for Karnataka residents, especially students and professionals.

January 16, 2025

• H-2B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS has met the cap for H-2B visas for the first half of FY 2025.

December 11, 2024

• US Visa Bulletin for January 2025: Updates on EB visa dates, especially for Indian applicants.

December 04, 2024

• H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2025: USCIS has selected 70,000 H-1B applications under the regular and master’s cap.

November 20, 2024

• 331,602 Indian Students in the US: India ranks #1 for international student enrollment in the US.

November 02, 2024

• Record 11.5 Million Visas Issued: The US aims to issue 90 million visitor visasby 2026.

October 30, 2024

• USCIS System Maintenance: Temporary downtime for online tools from October 30 to October 31, 2024.

October 10, 2024

• New Rules for International Entrepreneurs: Updated guidelines for investment and revenue thresholds.

October 03, 2024

• New EB-1 Visa Guidelines: Clarifications on eligibility criteria and required documents.

October 01, 2024

• 25,000 Additional Visa Slots for Indians: Simplifies travel for students, workers, and officials.

September 20, 2024

• Green Card Validity Extended to 36 Months: Applies to lawful permanent residents filing Form I-90.

September 19, 2024

• H-2B Cap Reached for FY 2025: USCIS has met the cap for temporary nonagricultural workers.

August 30, 2024

• New USCIS Office in Quito, Ecuador: Focuses on family reunification and refugee processing.

August 29, 2024

• New OPT Guidelines: Updates for F/M non-immigrant students, including STEM extensions.

August 20, 2024

• EB-5 Visa Limit Reached: The annual cap for EB-5 visas has been met for FY 2024.

August 13, 2024

• Fastest US Visa Processing in Kolkata: Wait time for B1/B2 visas reduced to 24 days.

August 8, 2024

• H-1B Selection Completed: USCIS has selected 70,000 H-1B applications for FY 2025.

August 2, 2024

• Expedited Visa Processing for Graduates: College graduates with job offers can benefit from faster processing.

July 31, 2024

• Second H-1B Lottery for FY 2025: USCIS announces a second lottery for the regular cap.

July 25, 2024

• Increase in H-1B Visas for Indian Graduates: New bill aims to simplify the visa process for STEM graduates.

July 08, 2024

• 11,000 New US Citizens Welcomed: Celebrations on Independence Day included naturalization ceremonies.

July 03, 2024

• Record 8.14 Million Job Openings: Highest demand in manufacturing and government sectors.

June 19, 2024

• Biden’s Citizenship Plan: Offers Green Cards to 500,000 immigrants, including spouses of US citizens.

May 21, 2024

• $2.6 Million in Citizenship Grants: Funding for organizations to support citizenship programs.

May 16, 2024

• 5 Million Visas Issued in Q1 2024: Record-breaking numbers for non-immigrant visas and Green Cards.

May 9, 2024

• Google and Amazon Suspend Green Card Applications: Applicants explore alternatives like Canada PR.

May 1, 2024

• Faster F1 Visa Processing: US Embassy in India prioritizes student visas.

April 25, 2024

• Citizenship and Integration Grant Program: Applications open for funding to support citizenship services.

April 23, 2024

• H-2B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS has met the cap for temporary nonagricultural workers.

April 22, 2024

• Hyderabad’s Super Saturday: US Consulate conducts 1,500 visa interviewsin a single day.

April 18, 2024

• 1 Million Indians Await Green Cards: Many explore alternative PR options like Canada and Australia.

April 13, 2024

• SAT/ACT Reintroduced: Harvard and Caltech make standardized tests mandatory for admissions.

April 12, 2024

• 10 Million Job Openings in the US: High demand for IT professionals, especially in major cities.

April 8, 2024

• EAD Extension for H-1B Spouses: Work permit extensions increased to 540 days.

March 2023, 2024

• H-1B Registration Extended: USCIS extends the registration period to March 25, 2024.

March 19, 2024

• H-1B Registration Closes: Final days for FY 2025 H-1B registrations.

March 02, 2024

• H-1B Registration Begins: FY 2025 registrations open from March 6 to March 22, 2024.

February 06, 2024

• H-1B Pilot Program: Eligible applicants from India and Canada can renew visas in 5 weeks.

February 05, 2024

• New H-1B Rule: Effective from March 4, 2024, with a registration fee of $10.

January 16, 2024

• H-2B Visa Cap Reached: USCIS has met the cap for the first half of FY 2024.

January 9, 2024

• Elon Musk Supports H-1B Increase: Advocates for higher visa caps to attract skilled workers.

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