In order to qualify for the benefits of being a U.S. citizen, one must be able to provide proof of citizenship.
Proof of citizenship can be documented in a variety of ways. Among the most common documents that establish US citizenship are:
* A U.S. Birth Certificate;
* A U.S. Passport;
* A Certificate of Citizenship; and
* A Naturalization Certificate.
If you were born in the United States, you were a US citizen at birth. You do not need to apply to USCIS for any evidence of citizenship. Your birth certificate (issued where you were born) is proof of your citizenship.
If you are not a U.S. citizen by birth or did not acquire U.S. citizenship automatically after birth, you may still be eligible to become a citizen through the normal naturalization process. Qualifying individuals who are 18 years and oder may submit an “Application for Naturalization” (N 400 Form) to become naturalized citizens. If you are already a naturalized U.S. citizen, then a copy of your naturalization certificate will prove your citizenship.
Immigration Direct
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
US Green Card for Family
Though journey of getting a green card for family seems to be easy, figuring out the exact steps and process becomes very tedious. Getting a green card and immigrating into the US to achieve citizenship has become a hot topic these days as many of the people aspire to live and work in the US. So is uniting with the family also becoming essential for many of those who prefer to live together with their family folks. Generally a person who is already a US citizen will be eligible to sponsor a green card, family unity being important to them. .
Getting green card for family:
One of the initial thoughts of getting a green card can be by using the relationship with a family member to apply. The path in obtaining the green card through family is possible if that family member is a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.
To petition for a green card, family member has to first file an immigration petition. There should be enough proof that the petitioner who is a US citizen or permanent resident has qualifying relationship with the applicant. There are two conditions in which an applicant can apply for a green card. If the family member is in the US while filing the petition, the applicant can change his/her status to permanent residency or if the family member is outside the US while filing the petition, he/she is eligible for consular processing through the consulate or Embassy in their native country.
The green card for family member can be obtained for immediate relatives of the US citizen or a permanent resident. Generally, Form I-130, which is the Petition for Alien Relative, is used to file for the relative by the US citizen family member. The immediate relative refers to the spouse or child of the US citizen or the permanent resident. The applicant can be an immediate relative if the he/she is a child and is under the age of 21 years of age and is unmarried and it can be spouse or the parent of the US citizen. The family member can be either the child or the siblings and in particular child can be married/unmarried. The immediate relatives of U.S citizens generally the spouses, parents and unmarried children under 21) go to the front of the line and are also exempt from having to wait for a visa number. Instead, once the visa petition is approved the visa number becomes available to them automatically.
The U.S. State Department will determine the availability of the visa number once the petition is filed. If available, you can apply for a green card. The availability of the visa number can be tracked through the Visa bulletin. Getting the residence card or becoming a U.S. immigrant with the help of family members requires a whole different process and formalities as well. The most important thing in this case is that the application is not considered valid unless and until the supporting documents are valid and establish the requirements set forth by the USCIS.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The U.S. Citizenship Form N400
Want to become a US citizen and enjoy the advantages? As a US citizen, you have the right to vote in the US federal elections. You can also petition your family members for permanent stay in the US. You can also obtain citizenship for your children born abroad. Additionally, you have the right to enter and exit the US without any restrictions. These are a few of the many advantages you can enjoy as a US citizen. Having so many advantages of being a US citizen, it's time to know the citizenship process.
You can become a US citizen either by birth or through Naturalization. Persons born in the US are automatically citizens of the US and persons born to US citizens can also claim citizenship subject to certain conditions. Naturalization is a process where a person not born in the US becomes a citizen voluntarily. To get naturalized, you need to file form N400, Application for Naturalization.
Citizenship application Form N400:
As mentioned earlier, N 400 is the citizenship form that needs to be filed for Naturalization. All the eligibility requirements for filing the citizenship form has to be met before applying. You need to be a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a US citizen and living with the citizen spouse for the past three years. You need to meet other requirements too. You need to be 18years or above.Additionally, you have to fulfill the Continuous residence and Physical Residence Requirement. A prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of your residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes, although it may not affect your ability to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident. You should have resided in your current state for at least 3 months. Your current state is the state where you are submitting the citizenship form for naturalization.
The N-400 citizenship form can be downloaded from the USCIS website for free. But considering the sophisticated process involved, many private websites help applicants in preparing the citizenship form by charging a nominal fee.
After you submit the citizenship form to the USCIS, within 30 days, you will get an Application Receipt Notice with a 13-character Application Receipt number. This Receipt Notice is the proof that USCIS has received your completed citizenship form and that it is being processed. With this number, you will be able to check the status of your case. You will be then notified about the date you need to appear for fingerprinting. Meanwhile , national security background checks are conducted and finally you need to appear for an interview. In the interview, your English knowledge will be tested, so will the civics related to the US. If the US immigration officials are fully satisfied, your case will be approved. If rejected, you will be notified as how soon you can reapply using the same N-400 citizenship application form. Approving or rejecting your case depends on the transparency and truthfulness of your case. So in the best interest of the applicant, it is strongly advised to be honest in all your disclosures.
You can become a US citizen either by birth or through Naturalization. Persons born in the US are automatically citizens of the US and persons born to US citizens can also claim citizenship subject to certain conditions. Naturalization is a process where a person not born in the US becomes a citizen voluntarily. To get naturalized, you need to file form N400, Application for Naturalization.
Citizenship application Form N400:
As mentioned earlier, N 400 is the citizenship form that needs to be filed for Naturalization. All the eligibility requirements for filing the citizenship form has to be met before applying. You need to be a permanent resident for at least five years or three years if married to a US citizen and living with the citizen spouse for the past three years. You need to meet other requirements too. You need to be 18years or above.Additionally, you have to fulfill the Continuous residence and Physical Residence Requirement. A prolonged absence from the U.S. will break the continuity of your residence in the U.S. for naturalization purposes, although it may not affect your ability to return to the U.S. as a permanent resident. You should have resided in your current state for at least 3 months. Your current state is the state where you are submitting the citizenship form for naturalization.
The N-400 citizenship form can be downloaded from the USCIS website for free. But considering the sophisticated process involved, many private websites help applicants in preparing the citizenship form by charging a nominal fee.
After you submit the citizenship form to the USCIS, within 30 days, you will get an Application Receipt Notice with a 13-character Application Receipt number. This Receipt Notice is the proof that USCIS has received your completed citizenship form and that it is being processed. With this number, you will be able to check the status of your case. You will be then notified about the date you need to appear for fingerprinting. Meanwhile , national security background checks are conducted and finally you need to appear for an interview. In the interview, your English knowledge will be tested, so will the civics related to the US. If the US immigration officials are fully satisfied, your case will be approved. If rejected, you will be notified as how soon you can reapply using the same N-400 citizenship application form. Approving or rejecting your case depends on the transparency and truthfulness of your case. So in the best interest of the applicant, it is strongly advised to be honest in all your disclosures.
Friday, February 25, 2011
U.S. Citizenship Test & Interview
This friendly guide makes it easier to understand US immigration and citizenship application process with up-to-date information on the various USCIS forms, the rights of permanent residents (green card holders) and much more. You'll learn about the English and civics test, about preparing for the interview process, and gain a deeper understanding of U.S. history and government.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Applying for H1-B Visa at a U.S. Consulate
There are some tips that H1B visa beneficiaries need to keep in mind when they apply for a visa at a US consulate or an embassy at their home country.
Overview of the H1B Visa:
The H1B visa is intended for workers coming into the United States who have special skill sets that would qualify them in the “speciality workers” category. To qualify for the visa the foreign worker must have a college degree from a four year instituion or an equivalent experience in education. Here's some information to help file for the visa.
Required documents for H1B Visa:
The US consular web sites recently have updated their documentary requirement to inform all applicants what they need to carry for the visa interview. The following is a detailed list that is primarily used, to be requested u/s 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. While the documentary evidence would vary on a case to case basis, primarily the list provided on the consular web site would include:
• An original I 797
• A copy of the I 129 package that was submitted to the USCIS including the LCA (Labor Condition Application)
• The offer and agreement letter between the petitioner / beneficiary.
• A notarized list of all employees of the petitioner.
• A unemployment wage report of all the states in the US were the petitioner has his employees.
• Tax returns of the petitioner for the most recent tax year with the financial statements.
• A letter confirming availability of work from the personal department at the work location.
• A confirming letter from the client of the project to be undertaken.
• Copy of the contract.
• Detailed description of the project with the number of employees (internal project) assigned to the project, time line and a detailed market analysis of the product.
It is a common fact that most employers hesitate to part with sensitive information like their financial statement and clients are not that comfortable issuing letters, but these documents are required by the consulate for issuing the visa. It should be remembered that the very purpose of requesting these documents is to verify the availability of the job and the ability of the petitioner to pay the wages for their employees in the United States.
Inability to provide these details would most likely lead to a refusal in granting the H1B visa.
Preparing for the travel to the US on a H1B visa:
The visa beneficiaries should plan well ahead of their travel and ensure that they have all the required documents listed above before they depart to the US. There are instances where the petitioner is either unwilling or not in a position to provide sensitive information and in some cases the clients might refuse any letters. This would lead to a situation where the H1B visa beneficiary is stranded outside the United States with their belongings. This makes it more so important to the visa beneficiary have the required documents well ahead to maximise the chances of a successful stamping.
Providing the documents:
There are instances where the consulates may not request letters from a client with the contract, if properly communicated, or a letter from the client may work. It would be prudent to present a combination of both to maximise the possibility of successful stamping of the visa.
For internal project description, it is pertinent to provide an elaborate information on the actual project the visa beneficiary is working or will be working.
Overview of the H1B Visa:
The H1B visa is intended for workers coming into the United States who have special skill sets that would qualify them in the “speciality workers” category. To qualify for the visa the foreign worker must have a college degree from a four year instituion or an equivalent experience in education. Here's some information to help file for the visa.
Required documents for H1B Visa:
The US consular web sites recently have updated their documentary requirement to inform all applicants what they need to carry for the visa interview. The following is a detailed list that is primarily used, to be requested u/s 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. While the documentary evidence would vary on a case to case basis, primarily the list provided on the consular web site would include:
• An original I 797
• A copy of the I 129 package that was submitted to the USCIS including the LCA (Labor Condition Application)
• The offer and agreement letter between the petitioner / beneficiary.
• A notarized list of all employees of the petitioner.
• A unemployment wage report of all the states in the US were the petitioner has his employees.
• Tax returns of the petitioner for the most recent tax year with the financial statements.
• A letter confirming availability of work from the personal department at the work location.
• A confirming letter from the client of the project to be undertaken.
• Copy of the contract.
• Detailed description of the project with the number of employees (internal project) assigned to the project, time line and a detailed market analysis of the product.
It is a common fact that most employers hesitate to part with sensitive information like their financial statement and clients are not that comfortable issuing letters, but these documents are required by the consulate for issuing the visa. It should be remembered that the very purpose of requesting these documents is to verify the availability of the job and the ability of the petitioner to pay the wages for their employees in the United States.
Inability to provide these details would most likely lead to a refusal in granting the H1B visa.
Preparing for the travel to the US on a H1B visa:
The visa beneficiaries should plan well ahead of their travel and ensure that they have all the required documents listed above before they depart to the US. There are instances where the petitioner is either unwilling or not in a position to provide sensitive information and in some cases the clients might refuse any letters. This would lead to a situation where the H1B visa beneficiary is stranded outside the United States with their belongings. This makes it more so important to the visa beneficiary have the required documents well ahead to maximise the chances of a successful stamping.
Providing the documents:
There are instances where the consulates may not request letters from a client with the contract, if properly communicated, or a letter from the client may work. It would be prudent to present a combination of both to maximise the possibility of successful stamping of the visa.
For internal project description, it is pertinent to provide an elaborate information on the actual project the visa beneficiary is working or will be working.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
The Benefits of a USCIS Green Card
It is common knowledge that many around the world aspire to get a green card to the USA. The reason is that it not only entitles the holder to live and work in the land of dreams but also for the various benefits that a green card would entitle them to at a later stage.
Let's now check the history of the USCIS green card. What is commonly known today as the green card is known through out the world as a work permit that would allow one to work and live permanently in the United States. It is still being called as a green card though it comes in different colors.
A green card in the United States is officially known as the Alien Registration card. The first green cards were white in color and were the product of the Alien Registration Act (1940). This was passed as a defense measure which required all aliens to register themselves with the government. They were allowed to register at any post office and the forms in turn were forwarded to the INS. With the culmination of the World War II all aliens were required to register with the INS based on their permit. And this is where the green card originated from.
Having known the history of the green card, let us now check how a USCIS green card would benefit its holder.
The benefits of the USCIS green card are many. A holder of a green card will be able to:
- Arrive and leave the United States without the risk of being denied an entry by any immigration official. It is always advisable that the holder of the USCIS green card has it with him at any point of time. It would also be relevant to note that the applicant has to keep track of all the dates of his travel as it would help during the time of naturalization.
- The holder of a green card cannot be out of status though the green card is valid for 10 years
- Green card holders are allowed to apply for any government sponsored aid for their education.
- They pay less tuition fee when compared to any other persons who are in a different visa category.
- It would allow the holder to work in any company in the United States without having to obtain a work permit.
- There are certain jobs that need security clearance which only a US citizen or a green card holder can get. This will create more job opportunities.
- Permission is allowed to start any new business venture.
- They are entitled to receive social security benefits when they retire.
- Green card holders can sponsor their spouse or children under 21 years of age who would be allowed to stay as dependents.
- They are protected against future changes in the immigration laws more so with the work permit.
- They are given the benefit of most legal rights except the right to vote.
- The single most important benefit of being a USCIS green card holder is that, they can apply for citizenship when they fulfill the eligibility requirements.
- Green card holders are allowed to stay anywhere in the United States.
- Green card holders are allowed to make political contribution whereas other foreign persons cannot.
These are some of the many benefits that a green card holder derives.
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