Immigrant visas are issued to individuals who intend to reside permanently in the United States. Immigrant visa holders can live and work in the United States with few restrictions. Following a period of residence of three to five years, immigrant visa holders are eligible to apply for United States citizenship.
There are nine preference categories of immigrant visas available to foreign nationals. Four of the immigrant visa categories are based on family relationships and five of the immigrant visa categories are based on employment offers. Under the provisions of the Immigration Act of 1990, 140,000 employment-based immigrants are allowed to enter the United States each year. The diversity immigration visa program, known as the visa lottery, also can be used to obtain visas. Each year 55,000 diversity visas are available to nationals of countries that have had less than 50,000 immigrants enter the United States in the preceding five years. Foreign nationals from countries with a low number of immigrants admitted to the United States, who possess a high school education or its equivalent, or who have worked for a minimum of two years in occupations that require at least two years of training or experience, may be eligible for diversity visas. Foreign nationals are chosen randomly and are eligible to obtain diversity visas only in the year in which they win the lottery. Only one application is allowed per year for each foreign national.
Contact an Immigrant Visa Attorney in Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or New York City, New York
To speak to an immigration lawyer about your immigration goals, including obtaining a work visa in New York, New Jersey, Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, we invite you to contact us online or call 412-291-4400 | 215-880-4977 | 347-839-1700. Free consultations are available. Our immigrant visa attorneys represent clients throughout the United States, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia, Ohio, and worldwide in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Asia, China, Australia, Africa, the Middle East, Central America, and South America.
May Law Group, LLC
Henry W. Oliver Building | Suite 908 | 535 Smithfield Street | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
Phones: 412-291-4400 or toll free 1-877-LAW-USIM or cell 412-496-8930 |
Facsimile: 412-291-4401 |
E-mail an Immigrant Visa Attorney
1500 JFK Boulevard | Two Penn Center | Suite 200 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Phone: 215-880-4977
40 Wall Street | 28th Floor | New York 10005
Phone: 347-839-1700
