Last Updated on January 12, 2023 by Linda Lee
An immigrant visa allows travelers to visit the United States under certain conditions, which depend on the type of visa issued and its expiration date. While you should always speak to an experienced Los Angeles immigration visa attorney about your specific needs, this quick guide to immigrant visas provides an overview of visas and the process of getting one.
An immigrant visa is a document that lets you travel to the United States. Immigrant visas are issued by the U.S. State Department. The State Department also issues “non-immigrant” visas, which are only for those visiting the United States. Unlike holders of immigrant visas, non-immigrant visa holders typically have no plans to seek legal permanent resident status once they are in the United States.
Most immigrant visa holders apply for legal permanent resident (LPR) status once they are in the United States. The final decision on whether or not to admit a visa holder as a LPR is made by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. People who have been admitted as legal permanent residents have the right to live and work in the U.S. permanently. A permanent resident card is commonly known as a “green card.”
Whether or not a visa holder may live or work in the United States depends on which visa he or she has. Some non-immigrant visas allow the holder to work in the United States for a short period of time, while others do not permit the holder to work in the United States at all. Your attorney can help you determine if you will need to work in the U.S. and, if so, which visa is right for you.
To learn more about your rights through a consultation, call the Immigration Law Office of Los Angeles, P.C. at (213) 375-4084 and speak with an experienced immigration attorney today.
