see if your home country qualifies. See the full list of visa categories at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/all-visa-categories.html.
Here to stay
To become a lawful permanent resident, an alien must first be admitted as an immigrant. Most people get their immigrant visas because a qualified relative or employer has sponsored them as follows:
1 The employer or relative filed a petition with the USCIS.
2 The USCIS approved the petition and then forwarded it to the National Visa Center for further processing.
3 The State Department issued a visa after an immigrant visa number became available.
If you’re already living in the United States, you may be eligible to adjust your immigration status from temporary to lawful permanent resident without leaving the country. And here’s some good news: As an applicant, you may apply for a work permit while your case is pending. (You can find out more about this in Chapter 3.)
In most cases, as an alien applying for permanent residence, you will need to provide
A valid passport
Three photographs
Birth and police certificates
Marriage, divorce, or death certificates of your current and/or prior spouse(s)
Proof of financial support
Proof of medical examination
https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry. You can visit the NVC website at https://nvc.state.gov for more information.
Customer Service Representatives for Immigrant Visa inquiries only are available at (603) 334-0700 from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. You can see the current status of your case or make updates by logging into the Consular Electronic Application Center at https://ceac.state.gov.
Customer Service Representatives for Nonimmigrant Visa inquiries only are available at (603) 334-0888 from 7 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday, excluding federal holidays. Please note only English-speaking representatives are available on this line.
Joining the club: Naturalization
Naturalization, the process by which lawful permanent residents become U.S. citizens, is the next step in the immigration process. Many lawful permanent residents stop before achieving citizenship, but if you bought this book, chances are you’re interested in going all the way.
In most cases, naturalization applicants must prove they can meet these requirements:
A designated period of continuous residence in the United States (usually three or five years immediately prior to applying) as a lawfully admitted permanent resident.
Physical presence in the United States for at least half the designated time.
Residence in a particular USCIS district prior to filing, usually for at least three months. Districts are geographical areas serviced by local USCIS offices. You can get up-to-date information about districts at www.uscis.gov/about-us/find-a-uscis-office/field-offices.
The ability to read, write, and speak basic English.
A basic knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government.
Good moral character. Applicants for naturalization must be “of good moral character,” meaning that the USCIS will make a determination based on current laws. Conviction for certain crimes will cause you to lose your eligibility for citizenship. If you have ever been convicted of murder or convicted of an aggravated felony (committed on or after November 29, 1990), you may never become a citizen of the United States. Other lesser crimes may delay your immigration or citizenship goals because they prevent you from applying until a specified amount of time has passed since you committed the crime. In 2014, USCIS added additional questions about violent activities and war crimes as per U.S. national security laws. These additional questions doubled the size of the N-400 Application for Naturalization from 10 to 20 pages’ worth of questions that will be asked during your naturalization interview! In determining good moral character, however, the USCIS can consider conduct that would have been a crime even if you were never arrested, charged, or convicted. (You can find more on good moral character in Chapter 3.)
Attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution and a favorable disposition toward the United States. This means that you must be willing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, giving up any prior allegiances to other countries.
SERVING YOUR WAY TO CITIZENSHIP
If you served honorably in the U.S. armed forces for at least one year at any time, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization. Currently, you must be a permanent resident at the
