What is the difference between an immigrant and non-immigrant visa in regards to obtaining permanent resident status?
An immigrant visa allows a foreign national to enter the United States with the intention of becoming a permanent resident. A non-immigrant visa, on the other hand, is meant for temporary stays, such as tourists, students, and those coming to the United States to work. For foreigners wanting to marry an American citizen, they may apply for a K-1 non-immigrant visa. This visa allows the foreign national to enter the United States for 90 days so that they can marry their future spouse and adjust their immigration status. Once married, the foreign national can adjust his or her status and apply for permanent resident status through the immigrant visa process. This process requires the foreign national to file an I-130 or immigrant petition, as well as submit to a medical exam, background check, and an interview. Once approved, the foreign national can get their green card in the mail and become a permanent resident. With a non-immigrant visa, the foreign national cannot adjust his or her status and must leave the United States when the visa expires. However, some non-immigrant visas, such as the K-1 visa, can be used to enter the United States before the foreign national applies for an immigrant visa. This allows the foreign national to stay in the United States and adjust his or her status while awaiting their green card.
THELAW.TV ofrece respuestas en español a todas las preguntas sobre la ley de inmigración.La principal diferencia entre una visa de inmigrante y una visa no inmigrante para obtener el estatus permanente de residente en Pennsylvania, es el propósito del viaje. La visa de inmigrante se otorga a aquellas personas que desean permanecer de forma permanente en Estados Unidos. Estas visas se otorgan a aquellos que desean residir como inmigrantes legales, lo cual puede ser con el fin de trabajar o para reunificar a familias. Por otro lado, una visa no inmigrante se otorga a aquellos que desean viajar temporalmente a Estados Unidos. Estas visas se otorgan para una variedad de propósitos, como por ejemplo, para empleo temporal, visitar a familiares, realizar negocios, estudiar, etc. La mayoría de las visas no inmigrantes no permiten que el solicitante obtenga el estatus permanente de residente. Sin embargo, algunas visas de no inmigrante, como la visa de informante K-3, son específicas para aquellas personas que desean establecerse en Estados Unidos para estar junto a su cónyuge. Con esta visa elegible, un solicitante puede obtener el estatus permanente de residente una vez que el/ella haya entrado a Estados Unidos.
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