- Immigrant Visas
Information on immigrant visas and the immigrant visa application process are available at the travel.state.gov website. Below is information specific to India on preparing for and scheduling your visa interview.
To apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen seeking to immigrate generally must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident immediate relative(s), or prospective U.S. employer, and have an approved petition before applying for an immigrant visa. The sponsor begins the process by filing a petition on the foreign citizen’s behalf with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). You may wish to review our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to learn about the different types of immigrant visas to the United States, including our Diversity Visa Program. Then, follow the steps on the Immigrant Visa Process, or on the Diversity Visa Process, on usvisas.state.gov to begin applying for an immigrant visa.
Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.
- Immigration to the US
Immigration Process
To become a lawful permanent resident of the United States, one must obtain a Green Card. Most immigrants will do so through employment, through family sponsorship, or by being an immediate relative. Through these various pathways, immigrants may reside legally in the US.
Work Visas for Immigrants from India
The United States provides great economic opportunity for skilled workers in search of jobs, and the most likely way to obtain a Green Card is through employment in the US. More than 50% of Indian immigrants to the US obtain lawful-permanent residence in this way. Immigrant work visas include the EB-1 and EB-2 visas, and imply receipt of a Green Card soon after entry. Non-immigrant work visas are temporary and include the H-1B , L-1, O-1, E-1, and TN (note: TN applies only to Mexican and Canadian citizens). If an immigrant comes to the US under a non-immigrant work visa and wishes to become a permanent resident, they may change their classification and apply for an immigrant work visa while in the states. Speaking to an immigration professional is also helpful in determining eligibility, as well as which visa is right for each individual.
Family Sponsorship
There are many pathways by which immigrants may be sponsored by family members in the US. These include the Petition for Alien Relative (I-130), Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (I-485), the Affidavit of Support (I-864), or Petition for Alien Fiancé (I-129F). Speak to an immigration professional to learn more about your eligibility.