Many people have the ability to bring their family to the United States, and depending on your circumstances you do not always have to be a citizen to file! However, you will need to be sure you can proceed through one of several legal pathways, each tailored to different circumstances. Generally, there are five major pathways to immigration to the United States.
Family-Based Immigration: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for immigration, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, facilitating family reunification. Family pathways are generally limited to spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but in certain cases, other family members have been approved for family-based residencies.
Employment-Based Immigration: If you have specialized skills, higher education, or job offers in the U.S., you may be eligible to explore employment-based immigration options such as the H-1B for skilled workers, the L-1 for intracompany transferees, and the EB-5 for investors. Typically, an H-1B will require, at a minimum, a bachelors degree in a specialized field. The H-1B system is highly competitive, and the government sets annual caps on the amount of this category of visa given out each year.
Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery): The Diversity Visa Lottery provides a chance for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to obtain green cards through a randomized lottery system. Citizens of all former U.S.S.R countries are eligible to apply for diversity visas.
Asylum and Refugee Status: Those fleeing persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group may apply for asylum or refugee status in the United States. It is important to note that asylum is adjudicated by the United States immigration system, while refugee status is conferred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and thus exists outside the traditional bounds of U.S. immigration law.
Tourist Visas: Tourist visas allow individuals to visit the United States for leisure, tourism, or medical treatment purposes. Tourist visas do not provide a pathway to permanent immigration in most scenarios but would allow temporary entry for short-term stays if you are simply seeking to have your family visit you for a period of time.
Understanding these pathways is essential for individuals seeking to establish roots or seek refuge in the United States. The Law Office of Henry Cabot is here to provide guidance and support throughout the immigration process. Contact me today to explore your immigration options and take the first step towards reunion!
Family-Based Immigration: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can sponsor certain family members for immigration, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, facilitating family reunification. Family pathways are generally limited to spouses, children, and parents of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but in certain cases, other family members have been approved for family-based residencies.
Employment-Based Immigration: If you have specialized skills, higher education, or job offers in the U.S., you may be eligible to explore employment-based immigration options such as the H-1B for skilled workers, the L-1 for intracompany transferees, and the EB-5 for investors. Typically, an H-1B will require, at a minimum, a bachelors degree in a specialized field. The H-1B system is highly competitive, and the government sets annual caps on the amount of this category of visa given out each year.
Diversity Visa (Green Card Lottery): The Diversity Visa Lottery provides a chance for individuals from countries with historically low immigration rates to obtain green cards through a randomized lottery system. Citizens of all former U.S.S.R countries are eligible to apply for diversity visas.
Asylum and Refugee Status: Those fleeing persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group may apply for asylum or refugee status in the United States. It is important to note that asylum is adjudicated by the United States immigration system, while refugee status is conferred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and thus exists outside the traditional bounds of U.S. immigration law.
Tourist Visas: Tourist visas allow individuals to visit the United States for leisure, tourism, or medical treatment purposes. Tourist visas do not provide a pathway to permanent immigration in most scenarios but would allow temporary entry for short-term stays if you are simply seeking to have your family visit you for a period of time.
Understanding these pathways is essential for individuals seeking to establish roots or seek refuge in the United States. The Law Office of Henry Cabot is here to provide guidance and support throughout the immigration process. Contact me today to explore your immigration options and take the first step towards reunion!