What is the difference between an immigrant and non-immigrant visa?

The difference between an immigrant and non-immigrant visa relates to duration of stay in the United States. An immigrant visa allows a foreign national to obtain lawful permanent residence in the United States—commonly known as a “green card”. This type of visa allows the immigrant to remain in the United States indefinitely. A non-immigrant visa, on the other hand, allows foreign nationals to stay in the United States for a limited period of time, usually for a specific purpose such as tourism, employment, education, or marriage. In the context of marriage, the United States allows foreign nationals to come to the United States and get married to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. In order to do so, the foreign national must obtain a non-immigrant visa, specifically a K-1 visa. This type of visa allows the foreign national to stay in the United States for 90 days to marry their intended partner and adjust their status to a lawful permanent resident. After the foreign national obtains their green card, they are considered to have an immigrant visa and are allowed to remain in the United States indefinitely. In Pennsylvania, the process of obtaining a K-1 visa and a green card is relatively straightforward. Once the foreign national is in the United States, they must apply for a marriage-based green card, submit all necessary documents, attend an interview, and receive authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If the process is successful, the foreign national will obtain their green card and become a lawful resident of the United States.

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La principal diferencia entre una visa de inmigrante y una visa no inmigrante es que una visa de inmigrante está destinada a aquellos que desean establecerse permanentemente en los Estados Unidos. Estas visas permiten que el titular de la visa solicite una tarjeta verde para convertirse en un residente permanente legal de los Estados Unidos. Las visas de no inmigrantes son para aquellos que desean permanecer temporalmente en los Estados Unidos. Estas visas se emiten para muchos propósitos, como el empleo temporal, el turismo, los estudiantes, el trabajo religioso, la reabilitación médica, entre muchos otros. Las visas de no inmigrantes suelen ser temporales y no permiten que el portador solicite una tarjeta verde para convertirse en un residente permanente legal. En el estado de Pensilvania dentro del marco de la ley de inmigración, hay muchas visa de inmigrante específicas para aquellos que se casan con alguien que resida legalmente en los Estados Unidos. Estas visas permiten que el cónyuge extranjero viva, trabaje y obtenga una tarjeta verde para convertirse en residente permanente legal. Por otra parte, los no cónyuges tienen que usar una visa de no inmigrante para poder estar temporalmente en los Estados Unidos. En general, la persona debe demostrar que tiene relación con la persona que está solicitando la visa y realizar otros pasos para completar el proceso.

Related FAQs

Is there any special documentation I need to provide to prove my marriage is real?
Can I renew my visa if I got married before it expired?
What are the grounds for inadmissibility?
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Can I apply for a green card for my parents if I have a marriage-based visa?
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Is there a waiting period to get married to someone who is an immigrant?
How do I report any changes in my marital status?
How long does it take to get a green card through marriage?

What is the difference between an immigrant and non-immigrant visa?

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