The following provides information on visa requirements for travelers to the United States who wish to visit, work or study
for a temporary period. The type of visa required will depend on the purpose of your travel. Many travelers seeking to enter
the U.S. for business or tourism for less than 90 days will be eligible to travel to the United States visa free under the
Visa Waiver Program.
Routine visa applications take approximately 5 workdays to process after the visa interview. Applicants who tick yes to
box 38 should be aware that it is difficult to predict how long the application will take to process, but can expect to wait
a minimum of 14 to 16 weeks before being advised of the outcome of their application. Applicants who are advised at the time
of the visa interview that their application will require additional administrative processing should allow at least 60 days
for this stage of the application to be completed. Please note that the processing times quoted are approximate and cannot
be guaranteed.
Immigrant Visas
An immigrant visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the United States to reside there permanently, whether or not
that person plans to seek employment in the United States. U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas
in four general categories: immediate relatives, family based, employment based and Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, known as the "green card" lottery.
Immediate Relatives
The following immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are eligible to qualify for immigration in the immediate relative category.
Note: Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.
|
Spouse or Minor Child of a U.S. Citizen |
An immigrant visa may only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship. |
|
Parent of a U.S. Citizen |
U.S. citizen must be 21 or over |
|
Step-parent or child of a U.S. Citizen |
Step-parent, step-child relationship must occur before the child’s 18th birthday |
|
Spouse of a deceased U.S. citizen |
Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. citizen |
Family Based Immigration
Persons seeking to immigrate in one of the family based preference categories will qualify for immigrant status only if
they have the necessary relationship to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident as described below.
Note:
Grandparents, aunts, uncles, in-laws and cousins cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.
Employment Based Immigration
In general, a specific offer of employment from a U.S. based employer is required to qualify for immigration in the employment
based preference categories.
|
Priority Workers |
Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, arts, business or athletics: outstanding professors
and researchers & certain multinational executives & managers. |
|
Members of "The Professions", Persons with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and business |
Defined as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree or equivalent, or baccalaureate degree plus
at least 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty, and persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts and
business. |
|
Professionals |
A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and who is a member of the professions. |
|
Skilled and Unskilled Workers |
Skilled workers with at least two years training or experience and unskilled workers whose skills are in short
supply in the U.S. Note: The Embassy does not keep a list of these professions. |
| Special immigrants |
Certain religious workers and ministers of religion , certain international organization employees and their immediate family member, qualified and recommended current and former
employees of the U.S. government and returning residents. |
|
Investors |
Persons who will create employment for at least ten unrelated persons by investing a minimum of $1,000,000
in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S. |
