What is a US immigration visa? Procedures, conditions and things to know

1. What types of US immigration visas are there?

Information about types of US immigration visas (Image source: Collected)

According to information from the US Embassy and Consulate General in Vietnam, there will be the following types of US immigration visas:
 

1.1. Family-sponsored immigration

- IR1, CR1: Legally married spouse of a US citizen.
Living together without being married is not considered a legal marriage for immigration purposes. A cohabitation relationship, also known as a “de facto marriage,” may be accepted depending on the laws of the country where the relationship is recognized.
In the case of polygamy (marriage to more than one person), only the first spouse is considered a legal spouse for the purpose of applying for a settlement visa.
- IR2, CR2: Is a US citizen sponsoring a single child under 21 years old (IR2L. Is a US citizen sponsoring a single stepchild under 21 years old (CR2).
- IR3: Inter-country adoption by US citizens.
- IR4: Adopted child of US citizen (adopted in the US).
- IR5: Visa for biological parents or step-parents of US citizens. To be eligible for this sponsorship, the US citizen must be 21 years of age or older. If the step-parent is a step-parent, the marriage between the step-parent and the sponsor's biological parent must have occurred before the sponsor turned 18.
Note: If a U.S. citizen was legally adopted, they may not be eligible to sponsor their biological parents.
- K1: A US citizen sponsors his/her fiancé(e), i.e., his/her spouse. Both parties must be legally married to be eligible to marry. They must also have met in person within the last 2 years. After the sponsored person enters the United States on a K1 visa, the two are required to marry within 90 days of arrival in the United States.
- K3: This category is conducted to shorten the time to come to the United States for IR1/CR1 applications.
- F1: US citizens over 21 years old sponsor their biological children. In the sponsorship application, the children must be single and under 21 years old.
- F3: US citizens sponsoring married children. If the married child has children included in the application (dependents), the accompanying children must be single and under 21 years old.
- F4: US citizen sponsoring siblings. If the sponsored person has children included in the application, the accompanying children must be single and under 21 years old.

1.2. Employment visa

- EB-1: For people with exceptional abilities, professors, outstanding researchers, senior executives or managers transferred to work in multinational corporations.
- EB-2: For professionals with advanced degrees or special skills invited to work in the United States.
- EB-3: For skilled workers and unskilled workers. Note, applicants must have a Labor Certification from the US Department of Labor.
- EB-4: For certain special groups such as missionaries and international organization employees.
- EB-5: For immigrant investors (minimum $800,000 investment and job creation in the US).

1.3. Re-entry visa

The SB-1 visa is for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) who want to return to the United States but have been outside the United States for more than one year, or have exceeded the validity of their Reentry Permit for reasons beyond their control. If you want to apply for an SB-1 visa, the first step is to schedule an online appointment to consider Returning Resident Status. You can find more information about Returning Resident Visas on the U.S. Department of State website .
Please note that if you entered the United States on a temporary basis (a 2-year green card instead of a 10-year one), you will not be eligible for an SB-1 reentry visa if your 2-year green card has expired and you have not taken the necessary steps to remove your temporary status before the green card expires. In this case, you must have a new petition approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and begin the immigrant visa process again.

1.4. Mixed-race children

There are two programs that Amerasian children can apply to immigrate to the United States – the Amerasian Immigration Act and the Amerasian Homecoming Act.
To qualify under the Amerasian Immigration Act, an applicant must have been born in Cambodia, South Korea, Laos, Thailand, or Vietnam; had a birth date between December 31, 1950, and October 22, 1982; and had a biological father who was a U.S. citizen.
To qualify under the Amerasian Homecoming Act, an applicant must have been born in Vietnam after January 1, 1962, and before January 1, 1976, to a biological father who was a U.S. citizen.

2. Documents to prepare for US immigration visa application

Prepare all necessary documents before applying for a US immigration visa (Image source: Collected)

Note: All of the following documents must be translated into English and notarized. Each document must have an original and a copy, arranged in the correct order:
1. Reference page:
For applications processed through the CEAC, please print the Reference Page and check all required items on the Reference Page to ensure you are ready for your interview. You will NOT BE INTERVIEWED and will need to reschedule your interview if this Reference Page is not completed.
Applicants must ensure that 1) ALL updated documents have been uploaded to the CEAC system; 2) All ORIGINAL/CERTIFIED COPIES of documents must be brought to the interview that match the documents uploaded to the CEAC system . Any applicant who fails to complete the medical examination and bring the Medical Examination Information Sheet issued by the Medical Examination Unit designated by the Consulate will not be interviewed.
2. Address Registration: Please visit the ustraveldocs website to create an address registration account and print the Address Registration Confirmation Page.
* This requirement does not apply to K, refugee, or Amerasian visa applicants.
3. Interview Invitation Letter and Confirmation Page (with barcode) of Form DS-260 [for immigrant visa (IV)] or Form DS-160 [for nonimmigrant K visa]:
Upon arrival at the Consulate, the applicant presents the Interview Invitation Letter and the DS-260 [for Immigrant Visa (IV)] or DS-160 [for K Nonimmigrant Visa] Confirmation Page (with barcode) to the security guard to enter the gate and submit the invitation letter to the Consular Officer to receive a queue number. Please click on the Principal Applicant's DS-260 / DS-160 Electronic Form Confirmation Page (with barcode) below the Interview Invitation Letter.
4. Visa Photo: Two (2) color, standard-size photos for each applicant. Applicants must write their name and date of birth on the back of each photo. Applicants may refer to the U.S. Department of State website for more information on specific visa photo requirements.
5. CCCD: Two sides. Original and copy.
6. Passport: Original and copy. Passport must be valid for at least 60 days from the date of expiration of the U.S. visa. The Consulate requires one (1) copy of the passport information page for each applicant, including children traveling with their parents. If you have a new passport with a dark blue cover, you must have been noted about the place of birth.
7. Household registration (if any): Original and copy.
8. Birth Certificates: Original and certified copies of the birth certificates of the sponsor, each applicant listed on the application, and all children of the principal applicant (even if the child is not accompanying) . In the absence of the sponsor's birth certificate, the consular officer will review and provide further instructions to the applicant during the interview. If the applicant is adopted or has adopted children, the applicant must also submit a legal adoption certificate.
9. Certificate of marital status (not required if never married):
* Original and copy: Marriage certificate if the applicant is married (original and copy.)
* Legal evidence of the termination of the sponsor's and the applicants' previous marriages (Original and copy of Divorce Certificate or Death Certificate of ex-spouse, if applicable).
10. Criminal Record (if applicant is 16 years of age or older): Original Criminal Record No. 2 of Vietnam and original criminal records issued by all countries where the applicant has resided as instructed.
11. Criminal Records (if any): Original and copy. Applicants who have been convicted must submit a certified copy of each conviction and any prison sentence, regardless of any subsequent pardon or other form of clemency. The criminal records must include full information about the circumstances surrounding the applicant’s crime and the court’s decision, including the sentence, sentence or fine imposed by the convicted person.
12. Military records (if applicable): Copy. Applicants who have served in the military in any country must submit a copy of their military records.
13. Health check results.
14. Financial sponsorship profile.
15. Proof of relationship: The applicant needs to prepare all evidence to prove the applicant's relationship with the sponsor and with accompanying dependent family members (if any).

3. Steps to apply for a US immigration visa

To get a US immigration visa, you must prepare carefully and thoroughly. The steps will be as follows:
Step 1: Prepare all necessary documents
As Vietravel mentioned in the previous section, you need to prepare all relevant documents. Note, prepare the correct required documents, have them translated and notarized.
Step 2: Submit application
Once your petition is approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), they will forward your petition to the National Visa Center (NVC) for review. Once the NVC has processed your petition, they will schedule an interview and forward it to the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City for the interview.
Step 3: Interview
If your application is approved, the review agency will send you an email confirming your interview appointment. You need to bring all the documents prepared in step 1 and arrive on time according to the scheduled appointment.
Interview results will be announced immediately after the interview ends:

• If approved , your passport with visa will be sent by post within 2 weeks.
• If you are not approved , you will receive an OF-194 “Green Card” that outlines the requirements and reasons for the denial. Most cases are denied under sections 221(g), 212(a)(1) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

4. Prepare for the US immigration visa interview

Interview is an extremely important part of the process of applying for a US immigration visa (Image source: Collected)

The US immigrant visa interview is conducted at the US Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City. When you arrive at the US Consulate, you will need to:
1. Go through security.
Note: Maximum dimensions for handbags are: 35 cm (height) x 20 cm (width) x 40 cm (length). Also, please do not bring laptops, iPads, tablets, or other large electronic devices into the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
You will not be permitted to enter the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you are carrying any of the following electronic or battery-operated devices:

• Cellular phone
• Smart watch
• Tablet
• Small camera
• Voice recorder
• Portable music player

You may check these small electronic devices in at Security upon entering the U.S. Consulate building and retrieve them upon completion of your business at the Consulate.
2. Take fingerprints.
3. Submit all required documents and answer some basic questions
4. Pay fees, if not paid previously.
5. Attend an interview with a US official

5. Types of US immigration visa fees

5.1. Health examination fee (for settlement visa application)

Health Check Fees: Please refer to the websites of the Consulate-designated agencies for information on health check fees. Cho Ray Hospital only accepts payment in Vietnamese Dong. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) accepts payment in cash in US Dollars or Vietnamese Dong.
Vaccinations: Vaccination fees depend on the age and type of vaccination the applicant needs.

5.2. Visa application processing fee

The visa application processing fee depends on the visa type of the applicant. This fee is non-refundable.

• Immediate relative or family preference immigrant visa applications (processed based on approved Form I-130, I-600 or I-800).
  Fee: 325 USD
• Employment-based immigrant visa applications (processed based on approved I-140 or I-526 petitions).
  Fee: 345 USD
• Other types of immigrant visa applications (including self-sponsored I-360 cases, special visa applicants, returning permanent residents – SB-1, and others)
  Fee: 205 USD

6. Information on US immigration visa interview locations

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Vietnam are located at the following addresses:
U.S. Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam
Address: 2nd Floor, Rose Garden Tower.
170 Ngoc Khanh Street, Hanoi
U.S. Consulate General, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Address: No. 4 Le Duan Street.
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

*** Interviews for immigrant visas and fiancé(e) visas take place only at the Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City.

Above is all the necessary information for you to conquer the US immigration visa. However, this is a journey that is neither easy nor difficult. Therefore, if you are looking for a reputable, quality, professional unit, come to Vietravel to get advice from experts and help you complete all procedures as quickly as possible!
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Source of article: Collected and compiled
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Source: https://www.vietravel.com/vn/am-thuc-kham-pha/visa-dinh-cu-my-v17132.aspx