What is the difference between an immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa?

An immigrant visa and a nonimmigrant visa are two different types of visas available to individuals who would like to reside, work, or study in the United States. Both require an application process with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and must be valid in order to be approved by the government. An immigrant visa is a document that grants an individual the right to permanently reside and work in the United States. People who possess this type of visa are known as green card holders. A green card holder has the right to live in the United States permanently and can work and travel freely throughout the country. A nonimmigrant visa is a document that allows an individual to temporarily reside and work in the United States. These individuals may only be in the United States for a limited amount of time and must leave when their visa expires. People who possess this type of visa are usually in the country for tourism, business, or to study. In California, both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders have the right to work. However, nonimmigrant visa holders can only work in the United States for the amount of time that the visa is valid and must apply for an extension if they wish to continue working. In contrast, green card holders have the right to work and live in the United States for an indefinite amount of time.

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La diferencia entre una visa de inmigrante y una visa de no inmigrante es que una visa de inmigrante otorga el derecho de obtener una residencia permanente en los Estados Unidos. Estas visas de inmigrante están disponibles para aquellos que poseen uno o varios de los requisitos para entrar legalmente a los Estados Unidos. Las visas de inmigrantes incluyen el statu de refugiado y el de indocumentado que tienen permitido vivir en los Estados Unidos. Las visas de no inmigrante permiten a una persona visitar los Estados Unidos por un período limitado de tiempo. Esto incluye aquellos que viajan a los Estados Unidos para fines turísticos, de negocios, de trabajo temporal, de educación, entre otros. Estas visas son temporales y tienen límites establecidos de tiempo. Los individuos deben viajar fuera de los Estados Unidos una vez que su visa expire. Las visas de no inmigrante no otorgan el derecho de convertirse en un residente permanente de los Estados Unidos.

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