Immigration Applications and Processes

Derivative Immigration Status for Family Members of Immigrating Aliens

Derivative benefits are certain immigration benefits that flow through the main visa or green card applicant to a spouse or unmarried child under the age of 21.

Non-Resident vs. Resident Alien Status for U.S. Tax Purposes

The terms "resident alien" and "non-resident alien" are actually from the federal tax laws. Resident aliens owe tax on all their income, while non-resident alien owe tax only on income generated from U.S. sources.

What Is the Public Charge Rule?

How do immigration officials predict someone's future financial situation?

What Happens to an Immigration Petition If the Sponsor Dies?

If an immigrant's sponsor dies before the immigration process is finished, it's not necessarily the end of the case.

What If Your U.S. Immigration Sponsor Withdraws?

If your immigration sponsor decides to withdraw his or her petition, you may have options to continue with your immigration case.

How to Cancel an Immigrant Visa Petition (as Sponsor)

The procedure to cancel a visa petition varies depending on how far along the application is in the immigration process.

Income Requirements to Sponsor an Immigrant for a U.S. Green Card

To sponsor a family member immigrating to the U.S., certain income and eligibility criteria must be met, and the petitioner must submit an I-864 Affidavit of Support.

How to Complete USCIS Form I-864 When Sponsoring an Immigrant

Find step-by-step tips on filling out the Affidavit of Support form.

"Sponsors" and "Household Members" on USCIS Form I-864A

Sponsors may include household members to help meet the financial requirements to sponsor an immigrant for a green card. Here’s how it works.

Why Is My Immigration Case Taking So Long?

Learn about the main issues that can hold up your U.S. immigration case.

How to Check the Status of an Immigration Petition or Application

The immigration system is notoriously slow. Here's how to figure out what's going on with your case.

Make Sure Your Immigration Application Doesn't Get Lost in the Process

Protect yourself from the very real possibility that all or part of your green card or visa application will get lost in a government office.

How to Determine Your Priority Date for Immigration Purposes

After their visa petition is approved, many immigrants must wait for their priority date to become current before applying for a green card.

Who Can't Get Into the United States Under U.S. Immigration Law?

Learn about the reasons someone would be "inadmissible", and unable to get into the United States.

Visa or Green Card Denied for False Information on Immigration Forms?

If you submit false information or omit damaging information, your immigration application can not only be denied, but you might face other serious consequences.

Criminal Convictions & Immigration: Suspended Sentence, Execution of Sentence & Pretrial Diversion

The federal definition of a conviction is broader than many immigrants realize, and even dismissed criminal convictions can lead to denied immigration applications or removal (deportation).

What Crimes Make Immigrants Inadmissible to the U.S.?

A summary list of crimes that make a person inadmissible (unable to get into the U.S.) under immigration laws.

This Immigration Lawyer's Advice on DUI Consequences

Getting a DUI (or in some states, DWI or OWI) comes with criminal penalties and driver's license issues for everyone - but immigrants have to deal with additional legal complications.

Is It a Crime to Enter the U.S. Illegally?

Illegal entry to the U.S. carries criminal penalties, civil penalties, and various immigration consequences.

Will Immigration Officials Consider Your Juvenile Criminal Records?

If you're applying for U.S. immigration benefits - a visa, green card, asylum - encounters you had with law enforcement as a minor might come up in the USCIS background check.

Do Expunged Records Show Up for Immigration Purposes?

Even if your criminal records were expunged, past crimes could still cause you trouble with immigration applications.

Effect of a Pardoned Criminal Conviction on an Immigration Application

If you're already a permanent resident, a pardoned crime shouldn't affect you. If you're not, it could prevent you from obtaining a visa or other immigration benefit.

U.S. Consulate Denied My Immigrant Visa: What Now?

An outline of the most likely reasons why the consular officer denied your visa and what you can do to continue on a path to a green card.

Appealing an Immigration Court Decision to the B.I.A. (Board of Immigration Appeals)

If you attended an immigration hearing and the judge denied your case, the next step might be to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (B.I.A.).

Lost I-130 Approval? Use USCIS's I-824 Application for Action to Get New Copy

I-824 is used to request USCIS to take particular action with a pending I-130 petition or other application.

Filing for an I-192 Waiver: "Forgiveness" of U.S. Inadmissibility

For visa applicants who've been deemed "inadmissible", a waiver can allow them entry into the U.S.

Staying in the U.S. With the I-601A Provisional Waiver of Inadmissibility

Immigrant visa applicants can request a waiver of unlawful presence in order to receive a green card.

Filing an I-601 Application for a Waiver in Your Immigration Case

By using Form I-601, certain foreign citizens who are ineligible to immigrate to the United States because they are "inadmissible" can request a waiver (forgiveness) of inadmissibility.

Showing Extreme Hardship for the I-601 Waiver Process

How to show your family would experience extreme hardship if you were denied admission to the United States.

Eligibility to File for an I-212 Waiver to Reenter the U.S. After Deportation

Eligibility rules to apply for permission to reapply for admission into the United States after deportation or removal.