Immigrating to the United States can be complicated. U.S. Lottery Registration has become the company that people come to for help to make the process easier. Everyday, we receive numerous questions regarding immigration and U.S. citizenship. We have found that many people have the same questions and concerns.

We have listed below many of the questions (and answers) asked most often. This page is updated to include new immigration information so be sure to "bookmark" this page to stay up-to-date.

You may also ask us specific questions via Email: Info@uslr.com

• Q. What are the different types of U.S. visas?  Which ones allow me to work in the U.S.?

Basically there are two types of visas - immigrant and non-immigrant. An immigrant visa is one that allows the person to whom it is issued to live and work permanently in the United States. A non-immigrant visa is issued to persons wishing to visit the United States on a temporary basis, i.e. for the purposes of tourism, business, medical treatment, study or temporary work.

Immigrant Green Card - Issued to persons who are sponsored by a U.S. employer, persons who are related to either U.S. citizens or permanent residents, persons who qualify for political asylum or refugee status.

H-1 Visa - Issued to professionals coming to work for a U.S. company. "Professionals" are considered persons who hold at least a bachelor's degree and will be working in that capacity.

An H-1 visa can be extended for no more than 6 years.

L-1 Visa - Issued to persons who wish to open an affiliate or subsidiary of a company in the United States, or to work for that company if it already exists. The person must have been a manager with the company in question for at least 12 months in the three years prior to requesting the visa.

I-1 Visa - Issued to international journalists.
A-1 Visa - Issued to diplomats.
G-1 Visa - Issued to United Nation or mission employees.
E Visa - Issued to treaty traders and treaty investors.
J-1 Visa - Issued to exchange program visitors working in the field of research or cultural activities.
O, P and R Visas - Issued to athletes, models and religious workers.
B-1 Visa - Issued to persons who are on a business visit to the United States but cannot be employed by a U.S. company.
B-2 Visa - Issued to persons coming to the United States for the purposes of tourism. Cannot work in the U.S.

Nationals of some countries do not need visas to enter the United States for a non-business visit. This Visa Waiver Program allows these nationals to remain in the country no more than 90 days. They cannot extend their visit, nor can they apply for a change of status.

• Q. I came to the U.S. on a visitor visa. How can I change my status and obtain a work permit?

You can request a change of status if you qualify. If you find a job your employer can apply with the INS for you to receive H-1 status. You can then apply for a green card.

If you are accepted by a U.S. university you can request F-1 status. You will need to prove that you have enough funds to finance your education and your stay in the United States.

• Q. Are some nationalities favored over others?

There is a waiting list for immigrant visas given out in a given year. There is also a limit of visas issued to a given country. For example annually 500,000 visas are issued for family preference visas and approximately 140,000 for employment-based visas.

• Q. What if I overstayed my visitor visa? Are there any penalties?

The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 has set the following restrictions for persons "unlawfully present" in the U.S. after April 1, 1997, as follows:

1. A person illegally in the country for more than 180 consecutive days, then departs will not be admitted to the U.S. for three years.
2.  A person illegally in the country for more than one consecutive year then departs will not be admitted to the U.S. for ten years.
3. A person illegally in the country for an aggregate period of more than one year, then departs will be permanently denied admission to the U.S.

• Q. I went to college in the U.S. and graduated with a degree. Do I qualify for a work permit?

No. If upon completion of your degree you find an employer willing to sponsor you, you may qualify for H-1 status.

• Q. My relative is a U.S. citizen. Can he/she sponsor me to come and work in the U.S.?

The Family Preference visas are divided into 4 categories:

1. Preference: Unmarried sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
2. Preference: Part A: Spouses and minor, unmarried children of permanent residents Part B: Children of permanent residents who are over 21 years old.
3. Preference: Married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens
4. Preference: Brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens.

For 1st, 2nd and 3rd preference there is no waiting list, nor is there a limit on the number of green cards issued to these categories. 4th preference, though, has a long waiting list, since brothers and sisters are not considered immediate relatives.

• Q. How do I qualify for refugee status?

The number of refugees admitted to the United States is decided upon annually. A person must be able to prove that he/she cannot return to his/her country of origin for fear of being persecuted because of race, religion, nationality, political views or membership in a particular political or other group.

• Q. I have found an employer willing to sponsor me. How long will I have to wait?

Every year Congress decides on the number of H-1 visas to be issued in a given fiscal year. These visas become available in the fall and the cap is usually reached by April.

• Q. I want to come to the U.S. and start a business. How much, if any, do I need to invest? Will my family members be eligible to receive work visas?

The EB-5 Investment Visa Program was created in 1990 allowing the investment of either $1 million or $500,000 in a "new or existing business enterprise." 10,000 visas per year are given in this category. This program allows for immigrant status and the investor receives a green card. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs and must "benefit the U.S. economy."

The E-1 visa is issued to Treaty Traders, i.e. persons who are citizens of countries who have treaty trader provisions with the United States. They must be able to carry out substantial trade. The term includes not only goods and services but also trade in technology.

The E-2 visa is issued to Treaty Investors, i.e. citizens of countries who have treaty investor provisions with the United States. They must make a substantial investment in a U.S. business, although there is no specific dollar amount needed. The business must generate active income and must be at least 50% owned by nationals of the treaty country. E-1 and E-2 visas are non-immigrant visas.

• Q. I would like to come to the U.S. to work on a farm for a few months. What kind of visa do I need?

H-2A visas are issued to temporary agricultural service workers, while H-2B visas are issued to other persons to perform temporary services for which U.S. workers are not available, for example some seasonal jobs, child care and others. Annually 66,000 such visas are issued. They are issued for one year and can be extended for a maximum of three years.

• Q. My child was born in the U.S. Do I qualify for permanent resident status?

If your child is a U.S. citizen because he/she was born in the United States, you can apply for immigrant status only when he/she reaches the age of 21.

• Q. I heard there would be changes in immigration laws because of the current worker shortage in the U.S. Will it become easier to obtain permanent resident status?

There was a proposal to liberalize the H2-A status. It will involve granting permanent residency to persons who agree to work in the field of agriculture for at least 6 months every year for a total of 5 years.

There also have recently been several increases in the number of H1-B visas in order to bring in more high-tech specialists.

• Q. How do I qualify for U.S. citizenship?

In order to become a U.S. citizen you must have been a permanent resident for at least 5 years. You must also have physically resided in the U.S. for at least two and a half out of the five years and have been resident of the state from where you are applying for at least three months.

Sometimes, people immigrating to the United States have more complicated issues and need additional assistance. To help them, we are also pleased to offer our legal referral service. If you have any concern regarding immigration law or would like to hire an American immigration attorney, you have come to the right place. The following is a brief biography of Attorney Andrew Karlin, a U.S. Immigration and Naturalization lawyer. He can answer your legal questions, assist in obtaining temporary and permanent visas or simply adjusting status.

Andrew T. Karlin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history with high honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1984. During his studies he was admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society at the University.

In 1988 he graduated from UCLA Law School, where he won scholastic achievement awards in Civil Procedure, Evidence and Remedies.

Mr. Karlin passed the California Bar Exam on his first attempt and was admitted to practice law in California State and United States Federal courts in December 1988.

He began his legal career at Cox, Castle & Nicholson, a respected Southern California law firm. In 1992 he opened his own law firm in Santa Monica, California.

Mr. Karlin has been practicing Immigration & Naturalization Law since 1992. He has handled almost every type of immigration case over the years, and is committed to helping every one of his clients live and work in the United States.

Mr. Karlin is a member in good standing of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, the California Bar Association and the Los Angeles Bar Association.

You may also ask Mr. Karlin specific questions via Email: Attorney@uslr.com

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U.S. Immigration Affiliates, Inc. is not a government agency