How can I stay legally in America?

Apply for a Green Card
  1. Find out if you're eligible.
  2. If you are eligible, file Form I-485 - Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status with USCIS, including all supporting documents and fees.
  3. USCIS will review your application and schedule an interview with you.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usa.gov


How can I stay permanently in USA?

There are several ways to obtain permanent residency in the U.S, including:
  1. An employer-sponsored green card application, based on a specific, permanent, full-time job offer. ...
  2. A self-sponsored employment-based green card application without the need for a specific job offer. ...
  3. Marriage to a U.S. citizen.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on internationalcenter.umich.edu


How can I stay in the U.S. without a citizenship?

Six ways to legally enter the US and possibly obtain a green card
  1. TAKE ACTION: Get help with your rights to justice, equality and civil liberties. ...
  2. FAMILY-BASED IMMIGRATION. ...
  3. WORK VISAS. ...
  4. STUDENT VISAS. ...
  5. VISA LOTTERY. ...
  6. INVESTORS. ...
  7. ASYLUM SEEKERS.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on abc7news.com


How can I live in America legally?

Essential Steps to Get an Immigrant Visa
  1. In most cases, someone must sponsor you or file an immigrant petition for you.
  2. Wait until the petition is approved and a visa is available in your category. Then apply for an immigrant visa. ...
  3. Get a medical examination.
  4. Go to an interview.
  5. Wait for a decision on your application.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on usa.gov


How long can you legally stay in the U.S. without a visa?

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on travel.state.gov


4 Main Ways to Stay in the United States



Is overstaying a visa a crime USA?

Unlawful Presence

If you have overstayed your visa, you may be considered unlawfully present. As per section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), there are two types of unlawful presence: Remaining in the United States without first being paroled or lawfully admitted.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


Can you live in the U.S. without a visa?

Non-U.S. citizens can permanently live and work in the U.S. by applying to be a lawful permanent resident and obtaining a Green Card. Lawful permanent residents are entitled to limited rights and benefits as compared to U.S. citizens.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lexisnexis.com


Can I live in USA without job?

The EB1A visa is an immigrant visa for people with an extraordinary ability in the arts, sciences, business, education, or athletics. The EB1A visa does not require you to have a job offer in the United States. You can apply for an EB1A visa on your own behalf through self-petition.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ashoorilaw.com


How long can you stay in America without a green card?

You can stay in America for up to 90 days if you don't have a visa under The Visa Waiver Program, which lets most nationals or citizens of participating countries travel to America for business stays or tourism for that amount of time.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fl-ilc.com


Who can sponsor me in USA?

All sponsors must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, be at least 18 years old, and be living in the United States (including territories and possessions) when they file the affidavit of support.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on uscis.gov


Can I get a green card if I entered illegally?

Illegal Entry

If you entered the United States illegally (as opposed to overstaying), you cannot apply for a green card from inside the United States.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on boundless.com


How long can a non citizen stay in the US?

Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements. Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on travel.state.gov


How does an undocumented immigrant become legal?

Generally, undocumented immigrants will be able to obtain an amnesty that will allow them to stay legally in the US. The two most popular types of amnesty for the undocumented are: Asylum. Temporary protected status.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on curbelolaw.com


What is the fastest you can get a green card?

If you qualify as an immediate relative, you may only have to wait as little as two months to get a green card. Who qualifies as an immediate relative? Spouses of U.S. citizens, children under 21 years of age whose parents are U.S. citizens, and the parents of children who are U.S. citizens over 21 are all eligible.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on fileright.com


What are the 4 ways to get a green card?

You can choose between the following ways to obtain a Green Card:
  • Winning the US government's Green Card Lottery (also called the Diversity Visa Program or DV Program)
  • The Green Card through employment.
  • The Green Card through investment.
  • The Green Card for family reunion.
  • The Green Card through marriage to a US citizen.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on the-american-dream.com


What are the 5 requirements to become a U.S. citizen?

You need to be at least 18 years old, be a permanent resident with a green card for a least 5 years, 3 years if you are married to a U.S citizen. You must maintain continuous residence in the U.S., at least 3 months in California, and not have any trips outside the U.S. for 6 months or longer.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sccld.org


What is the easiest way to immigrate to USA?

Educational immigration to the United States:

One of the famous ways to immigrate easily and quickly to America is through educational immigration. Many people which want to migrate to the U.S., use this way because this is a very fast method for immigrating.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on unicanimmigration.com


What are valid reasons for overstaying visa?

Valid reasons for overstaying a visa include:

You have a pending application for either a Green Card, a change of status or an extension of status. You were a victim of trafficking who can prove that the trafficking was one of the reasons for the unlawful presence. You were under the age of 18 when you entered the US.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on lawsb.com


What happens if you get caught working on a tourist visa?

If caught violating travel status, you may be called to Immigration Court or even detained at Immigration Detention.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on islawfirm.com


How can I get US visa without a job?

There is no way to apply for a work visa on your own without a job offer, or without the support of a U.S. employer. Working in the United States is not as simple as applying, getting a job, and moving to the U.S. Instead, you need to have a valid work visa or work permit in order to legally work in the U.S.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on canadiansinusa.com


What are the 4 types of visas?

Which type of visa do you need? Probably 1 of the 4 main types: tourist, immigration, student, or work. U.S. citizens can visit 143 countries and territories without a pre-approved visa.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on upgradedpoints.com


What are the 4 types of immigration?

In U.S. immigration, there are four main categories of immigration status, including U.S. citizens, permanent or conditional residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ronaldshapiro.com


Is it a crime to be in the US without a visa?

Under federal law, it is a crime for anyone to enter into the US without the approval of an immigration officer – it's a misdemeanor offense that carries fines and no more than six months in prison.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on cnn.com


What is the fastest US visa to get?

Student Visa Processing Time 2023

The US student visa (F-1 visa) is one of the fastest visas to process. In fact, the study permit is often processed directly before your embassy interview. The interview is the last step of the application process.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on visaplace.com


Can I live in the US while waiting for my visa?

Any immigrant who entered the U.S. on some sort of temporary visa and then submitted a green card application (for U.S. lawful permanent or conditional residence) is allowed to remain in the United States while the application is "pending." In other words, they can wait until their application has been decided upon by ...
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on alllaw.com