Tips for Undergoing the United States Immigration Process

If you’re planning to move to the United States to settle down, then it might not be the simplest process. There are numerous legal and regulatory hurdles you need to go through before you’re given the all-clear. However, tthat doesn’t mean migrating to the Land of the Free is far from possible. It only takes knowing what to do and what to prepare for as you turn your version of the American Dream into an American Reality. Here’s a simple guide to help you make the immigration process less complicated on your part:

1. Know which visa to get

Green cards are the informal term for visas issued to foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. for work, personal and official reasons, or sightseeing. These are categorized in terms of the intent or reason for traveling to the U.S. Employers who are recruiting foreigners to work on U.S. soil can facilitate the application for an employment visa so long as the applicants exhibit the necessary skills and attitude to work in the country. 

If you have a family member who is already a citizen of the country, then a family-based green card would be your only option. In cases when you’re marrying a U.S. citizen, you are required to obtain a special green card. It’s only a matter of complying with K-1 visa requirements so you can complete the process. In any case, knowing the right visa to get along with the requirements will make the process less hectic.

2. Undergo background checks

Regardless of which green card you’re applying for, you are required to submit to a background check conducted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services along with the Federal Bureau of Immigration. Firstly, your name will be checked on the Interagency Border Inspection System. 

After you’re cleared, the FBI will need to scan your fingerprint and your name in their system. Immigrants who commit serious crimes such as driving while intoxicated in their home countries will have their applications denied instantly. However, minor offenses or felonies can still be considered so long as you have completed your sentence (including court-mandated fines and community service) for these crimes.

3. Ace the immigration interview

Background checks are only a small part of the entire application process. Once you’re cleared of any criminal activity, you can proceed with the immigration interview conducted by a member of the Embassy or Consulate. 

If you and your spouse are applying at the same time, you will be given the same interview appointment. The same goes if you have children under the age of 14 who are also moving to the U.S. During the interview, you’re most likely asked about your reasons for moving to the country as well as your past visits to the U.S.

4. Consult an immigration attorney

When everything seems right, you have a higher chance of getting your green card application approved and ease up the process of completing your citizenship requirements. However, the same isn’t true for people who are denied entry on account of duplications, errors, and mistaken identities. 

In case you run into these problems, you can always get an immigration attorney to fall back on. With their help, you can deal with issues concerning the results of your background check. There’s a good chance these results are inaccurate, so it pays to have a legal expert to take a second look.

Endnote

For your American Dream to become a reality, you will have to go through several gatekeepers first. It can get hectic but so long as you know your way around the process, it would be smooth sailing from there.

Mike

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