IMMIGRANT
& NO-IMMIGRANT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQs
Q:
What's a visa?
A.
A visa is basically a stamp in the
passport issued by an American Embassy or Consulate abroad,
allowing the holder to request entry to the United States in a
certain visa status within the time period specified on the
visa. A visa may allow one, two or multiple entries before the
expiration date of the visa.
Q: Do
I need a visa to enter the US?
A: If you’re a citizen of a
foreign country, in most cases you’ll need a visa to enter the
United States. A visa doesn’t permit entry to the U.S., however.
A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed
by a U.S. consular officer at an American embassy or consulate,
and that the officer has determined you’re eligible to enter the
country for a specific purpose. Consular affairs are the
responsibility of the U.S. Department of State.A visa allows you
to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry
(airport or land border crossing) and ask the immigration
officer to allow you to enter the country. Only the immigration
officer has the authority to permit you to enter the United
States. He or she decides how long you can stay for any
particular visit. Immigration matters are the responsibility of
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Q:
What's a priority date?
A: Once you've
submitted all the required application and fee for a petition,
the USCIS will assign a "priority date" for you case and when
your category is current, a visa number is available for the
beneficiaries in your petition.
Q: Can
I extend my B-1/B-2 visa?
A: Under most
circumstances, you may be able to extend the duration of your
B-1/B-2 visa for another 3 to 6 months while traveling in
the US and assuming that you can provide a valid and
reasonable explanation and you current visa has not expired
Q: Can
I change my B-1 visa status to M-1 visa?
A: Technically
yes, under most circumstances, you could exchange your visa
status from B-1 to M-1 vocational student if you could convince
the NVC official that the training courses could benefit your
current business/career when you travel back to your home
country.
Q: Can
I change my status from J-1 to F-1 student?
A: If you visa
has not expired, then you could apply to change your status to
F-1 assuming that you're not subject to any visa restriction and
another college/university has accepted your application and
authorized for the transfer.
Q:
What's the difference between a re-entry permit and an advance
parole?
A: A re-entry
permit is issued to a lawful permanent resident of the US (valid
for 2 years) and can be function as a passport when traveling
aboard more than 6 months while advance parole (valid for 1
year) is issued to an alien whose petition to become a LPR is
pending for approval and it functions like a visa to enter the
US after traveling board.