| Your Immigration Companion | 1 |
| Part I Getting Started: U.S. Immigration Eligibility and Procedures | 3 |
| 1 Where to Begin on Your Path Toward Immigration | 5 |
| A Roadmap to U.S. Immigration | 7 |
| B The Typical Application Process | 11 |
| C Immigration Eligibility Self-Quiz | 12 |
| 2 Are You Already a U.S. Citizen? | 19 |
| A Acquisition of Citizenship Through Birth to U.S. Citizen Parents | 20 |
| B Automatic Derivation of U.S. Citizenship Through Naturalized Parents | 25 |
| C Obtaining Proof of U.S. Citizenship | 27 |
| D Dual Citizenship | 30 |
| 3 Can You Enter or Stay in the U.S. at All? | 31 |
| A Particularly Troublesome Grounds of Inadmissibility | 33 |
| B Avoiding or Reversing an Inadmissibility Finding | 60 |
| 4 Dealing With Paperwork, Government Officials, Delays, and Denials | 65 |
| A Getting Organized | 67 |
| B How to Obtain and Prepare Immigration Application Forms | 68 |
| C How to Obtain Needed Documents | 78 |
| D Before You Mail Anything | 82 |
| E Dealing With Delays and Other Issues | 84 |
| F Attending Interviews With USCIS or Consular Officials | 90 |
| G Procedures for USCIS Interviews | 95 |
| H What to Do If an Interview Is Going Badly | 98 |
| I What to Do If an Application Is Denied | 99 |
| J When All Else Fails, Call Your U.S. Congressperson | 102 |
| K How COVID-19 Might Affect Your Case | 103 |
| 5 Special Rules for Canadians and Mexicans | 105 |
| A Canadian Visitors and Nonimmigrants | 106 |
| B Special Work Privileges for Canadian and Mexican Visitors | 107 |
| C Fiancés | 115 |
| D Simplified Procedures for Canadian Students and Exchange Visitors | 115 |
| E F-3 Visa for Border Commuter Students | 115 |
| F Preflight Inspections for Canadians | 117 |
| C NEXUS for Faster Entry by Canadians | 117 |
| 6 How and When to Find a Lawyer | 119 |
| A When Do You Need a Lawyer? | 120 |
| B Where to Get the Names of Good Immigration Lawyers | 122 |
| C How to Avoid Sleazy Lawyers | 123 |
| D How to Choose Among Lawyers | 125 |
| E Signing Up Your Lawyer | 126 |
| F Paying Your Lawyer | 128 |
| G Firing Your Lawyer | 129 |
| H Do-It-Yourself Legal Research | 130 |
| Part II Introduction to Permanent U.S. Residence (Green Cards) | 133 |
| A Categories of Green Card Applicants | 134 |
| B How Many Green Cards Are Available? | 138 |
| 7 Getting a Green Card Through Family Members in the U.S. | 139 |
| A Are You Eligible for a Green Card Through a Relative? | 140 |
| B Quick View of the Application Process | 154 |
| C Step One: Your U.S. Relative Files the I-130 Visa Petition | 157 |
| D Step Two: Preference Relatives Wait for an Available Visa | 164 |
| E Step Three: You Submit the Visa or Green Card Application | 166 |
| F Step Four: Immigrant Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 179 |
| G Removing Conditional Residence in Marriage Cases | 181 |
| 8 Getting a Visa to Come Marry Your U.S. Citizen Fiancé (K-1) | 185 |
| A Do You Qualify for a K-1 Visa? | 187 |
| B Quick View of How to Apply for a K-1 Visa | 188 |
| C Step One: Your U.S. Citizen Fiancé Submits a Visa Petition | 189 |
| D Step Two: You Apply at a U.S. Consulate | 193 |
| E Step Three: You Enter the U.S. on Your Fiancé Visa | 196 |
| 9 Getting a Green Card Through Employment | 199 |
| A Are You Eligible for a Green Card Through Employment? | 200 |
| B Quick View of the Application Process | 213 |
| C Step One: The Prevailing Wage Determination | 214 |
| D Step Two: Employer Advertising and Recruitment | 215 |
| E Step Three: Your Employer Seeks Labor Certification | 218 |
| F Step Four: Your Employer Files the I-140 Petition | 219 |
| G Step Five: You Might Have to Wait for an Available "Visa Number" | 228 |
| H Step Six: You Submit the Green Card Application | 231 |
| I Step Seven: Immigrant Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 241 |
| 10 Getting a Green Card Through the Diversity Visa Lottery | 243 |
| A Are You Eligible for a Green Card Through the Lottery? | 245 |
| B Quick View of the Application Process | 247 |
| C Step One: Registering for the Lottery | 247 |
| D Step Two: Your Application for Permanent Residence | 250 |
| E Step Three: Immigrant Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 263 |
| 11 Getting a Green Card as an Investor | 265 |
| A Are You Eligible for a Green Card Through Investment? | 267 |
| B Quick View of the Application Process | 271 |
| C Step One: You File a Visa Petition | 271 |
| D Step Two: You May Have to Wart to Apply for Permanent Residence | 274 |
| E Step Three: You Apply for an Immigrant Visa or Green Card | 275 |
| F Step Four: Immigrant Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 285 |
| G Step Five: Converting Your Conditional Residence Into Permanent Residence | 286 |
| 12 Getting a Green Card as a Special Immigrant | 289 |
| A Do You Qualify for a Green Card as a Special Immigrant? | 290 |
| B Quick View of the Application Process | 294 |
| C Step One: You File the Petition | 295 |
| D Step Two: You Might Need to Await an Available Visa Number | 298 |
| E Step Three: You Apply for Permanent Residence | 299 |
| F Step Four: Immigrant Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 309 |
| 13 Getting a Green Card as an Asylee or Refugee | 313 |
| A Do You Qualify as a Refugee or an Asylee? | 315 |
| B How to Apply for Refugee Status | 322 |
| C How to Apply for Asylum | 324 |
| D How to Get a Green Card as a Refugee or an Asylee | 335 |
| 14 After Your Approval for a Green Card | 343 |
| A How to Prove You're a U.S. Resident | 344 |
| B Traveling Abroad | 346 |
| C Your Immigrating Family Members' Rights | 348 |
| D Losing Your Permanent Resident Status | 349 |
| E How to Renew or Replace Your Green Card | 350 |
| F Green Cards and U.S. Citizenship | 353 |
| G Green Cards and U.S. Taxes | 354 |
| Part III Introduction to Nonimmigrant (Temporary) Visas | 355 |
| A Types of Nonimmigrant Visas | 356 |
| B Difference Between a Visa and a Status | 359 |
| C Security Measures | 360 |
| D Getting a Nonimmigrant Visa at a Consulate Outside Your Home Country | 360 |
| E At the Border | 361 |
| F Time Limits on Nonimmigrant Visas | 361 |
| G Effect of Nonimmigrant Visas on Green Cards | 365 |
| H Nonimmigrant Visas and U.S. Taxes | 366 |
| 15 Getting a Business or Tourist (B-1 or B-2) Visa | 367 |
| A Do You Qualify for a Visitor Visa? | 369 |
| B How to Apply for a Visitor Visa | 372 |
| C Visa Issuance and Entry Into the U.S. | 376 |
| D Extensions of Stay | 377 |
| 16 Getting a Temporary Specialty Worker (H-1B) Visa | 379 |
| A Do You Qualify for an H-1B Visa or Status? | 381 |
| B Quick View of the H-1B Visa Application Process | 386 |
| C Step One: Your Employer Files an LCA | 386 |
| D Step Two: Your Employer Files a Petition | 388 |
| E Step Three: Applicants Outside the U.S. Apply for Visa | 396 |
| F Step Four: H-1B Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 397 |
| G Extending Your U.S. Stay | 397 |
| H Your Rights as an H-1B Worker | 399 |
| 17 Getting a Temporary Nonagricultural Worker (H-2B) Visa | 401 |
| A Do You Qualify for an H-2B Visa? | 404 |
| B Possibilities for a Green Card From H-2B Status | 410 |
| C Quick View of the H-2B Visa Application Process | 411 |
| D Step One: Your Employer Applies for PWD | 412 |
| E Step Two: Your Employer Places a Job Order | 413 |
| F Step Three: Your Employer Applies for Temporary Labor Certification | 415 |
| G Step Four: Your Employer Conducts Recruitment | 419 |
| H Step Five: The DOL Certifies the Temporary Labor Application | 420 |
| I Step Six: Your Employer Submits an H-2B Visa Petition | 420 |
| J Step Seven: Applicants Outside the U.S. Apply to a U.S. Consulate | 427 |
| K Step Eight: You Enter the U.S. With Your H-2B Visa | 428 |
| L Extending Your U.S. Stay | 428 |
| 18 Getting a Temporary Trainee (H-3) Visa | 431 |
| A Do You Qualify for an H-3 Visa? | 432 |
| B Quick View of the H-3 Visa Application Process | 435 |
| C Step One: Your Employer Submits an H-3 Petition | 435 |
| D Step Two: Applicants Outside the U.S. Apply to a U.S. Consulate | 442 |
| E Step Three: H-3 Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 443 |
| F Extending Your U.S. Stay | 445 |
| 19 Getting an Intracompany Transferee (L-1) Visa | 447 |
| A Do You Qualify for an L-1 Visa? | 448 |
| B Possibilities for a Green Card From L-1 Status | 455 |
| C Quick View of the L-1 Visa Application Process | 455 |
| D Step One: Your U.S. Employer Files a Petition | 456 |
| E Step Two: Applicants Outside the U.S. Apply to a U.S. Consulate | 463 |
| F Step Three: L-1 Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 464 |
| G Extending Your U.S. Stay | 466 |
| 20 Getting a Treaty Trader (E-1) Visa | 471 |
| A Do You Qualify for an E-1 Visa? | 472 |
| B Quick View of the E-1 Visa Application Process | 479 |
| C How to Apply From Outside the U.S. | 479 |
| D How to Apply If You're in the U.S. | 484 |
| E Extending Your U.S. Stay | 486 |
| F Visa Revalidation | 489 |
| 21 Getting a Treaty Investor (E-2) Visa | 491 |
| A Do You Qualify for an E-2 Visa? | 492 |
| B Quick View of the E-2 Visa Application Process | 499 |
| C How to Apply From Outside the U.S. | 499 |
| D How to Apply If You're in the U.S. | 506 |
| E Extending Your U.S. Stay | 510 |
| F Revalidating Your Visa | 511 |
| 22 Getting a Student (F-1 or M-1) Visa | 513 |
| A Do You Qualify for a Student (M-1 or F-1) Visa? | 516 |
| B How Long the Student Visa Will Last | 522 |
| C Quick View of the Student Visa Application Process | 524 |
| D Step One: Your School Issues a SEVIS I-20 | 525 |
| E Step Two for Applicants Outside the U.S.: Applying at a U.S. Consulate | 525 |
| F Step Two for Some Applicants Inside the U.S.: Applying to USCIS for a Change of Status | 530 |
| G Step Three: Student Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 535 |
| H Extending Your Student Stay | 535 |
| I Traveling Outside the U.S. While You're a Student | 538 |
| J Reinstatement of Student Status | 539 |
| K Getting Permission to Work | 539 |
| L Transferring to a Different School | 545 |
| M Changing Your Course of Studies | 546 |
| 23 Getting an Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa | 547 |
| A Do You Qualify for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa? | 550 |
| B How Long the J-1 Status Will Last | 554 |
| C Students: Comparing J-1 Visas to F-1 and M-1 Visas | 556 |
| D Business and Industrial Trainees: A Good Option for Work in the U.S. | 557 |
| E Internships as a Way for Foreign Students to Work in the U.S. | 557 |
| F Can You Apply for a Green Card From J-1 Status? | 558 |
| G Quick View of the J-1 Visa Application Process | 558 |
| H Step One: Your Sponsoring Organization Issues a Certificate of Eligibility | 559 |
| I Step Two for Applicants Outside the U.S.: Apply for a Visa at a U.S. Consulate | 559 |
| J Step Two for Some Applicants Inside the U.S.: Apply to USCIS for a Change of Status | 564 |
| K Step Three: J-1 Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 567 |
| L Extending Your J-1 Stay in the U.S. | 568 |
| M Transfer to a New Sponsor | 570 |
| N Change of Category | 570 |
| O Reinstatement | 571 |
| P Working as an Exchange Visitor | 573 |
| Q Annual Reports for Foreign Medical Graduates | 575 |
| R Traveling Outside the U.S. While on an Exchange Program | 575 |
| 24 Getting a Visa as a Temporary Worker in a Selected Occupation (O, P, or R Visa) | 577 |
| A Do You Qualify for an O, P, or R Visa? | 578 |
| B Quick View of the O, P, and R Visa Application Process | 586 |
| C Step One: Your Employer or Agent Submits a Petition | 587 |
| D Step Two: Applicants Outside the U.S. Apply to a U.S. Consulate | 593 |
| E Step Three: Visa Holders Enter the U.S. | 595 |
| F Extending Your U.S. Stay | 595 |
| Part IV Introduction to Other Forms of Long-Term Legal Status in the U.S. | 597 |
| 25 Humanitarian Remedies Allowing Stays in the U.S. | 599 |
| A Do You Qualify for TPS? | 600 |
| B TPS Application Process | 601 |
| C Are You Eligible for Deferred Enforced Departure? | 602 |
| D Humanitarian Parole | 603 |
| 26 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) | 607 |
| A Do You Qualify for DACA? | 608 |
| B Who Is Not Eligible for DACA | 609 |
| C Risks and Downsides to Applying for DACA | 611 |
| D Who Shouldn't Apply for DACA | 612 |
| E How to Apply for DACA | 613 |
| 27 Getting a U Visa as a Crime Victim Assisting Law Enforcement | 617 |
| A Are You Eligible for a U Visa? | 618 |
| B How to Apply for a U Visa | 624 |
| C Will You Be Eligible for a Green Card After Your U Visa? | 630 |
| Glossary | 635 |
| Index | 645 |
