Unfortunately, immigrating to the US today is not as easy as before.  New rules have been added to the visa application process to control the flow of people crossing borders to move to the land of opportunities.

Important steps to remember:

Step 1 - Review your visa status.

Step 2 - Review the visa wait times information for interview appointments and visa processing at embassies worldwide.

Step 3 - Arrange an interview at the nearest embassy or consulate.

 Visa Application

Some applicants, like priority workers, investors, special immigrants, and diversity immigrants, can apply for a visa on their own. All others must have a relative or potential employers apply for them.

Applicants for family-sponsored immigrant visas should request the US citizen relative to file a visa application Form I-130 with the nearest USCIS. In some cases, if the US citizen is residing abroad, he or she may file the application with a consular officer at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Applicants for employment-based immigrant visas may require an approved application Form I-140 from the USCIS. Priority workers may apply on their own behalf with the USCIS; while others must have their prospective employers file the applications. Prior to filing an application with the USCIS, members of the profession, professionals, skilled and unskilled workers, must obtain certifications from the Department of Labor that there are no qualified workers available for the proposed employment in the US

Special immigrant returning residents and US Government employees must apply to the Secretary of State through a US consular office abroad. All other special immigrants must file the I-360 application with USCIS.

An investor must file a Form-I-526 application with the USCIS.

Diversity immigrants must file an application with the US Department of State. Information on registration will be announced each year by the State Department.

The State Department will advise the beneficiary of the visa application when it is received from the approving office. The visa applicant will receive further instructions at that time.