U.S. immigration, explained in plain words
If this is your first time dealing with the U.S. immigration system, begin with this page. It takes about ten minutes to read, and every term is defined as it appears.
Step 1
Who decides your case
Three parts of the U.S. government handle most immigration matters. Knowing which one has your case tells you where to look for updates.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
Decides most applications filed inside the United States, such as green cards, work permits and citizenship.
U.S. Department of State
Runs U.S. embassies and consulates, which issue visas to people outside the United States.
Immigration courts
Part of the Department of Justice. Judges hear cases about whether a person may remain in the United States.
Step 2
The main paths
Most people immigrate through family, through work, or through citizenship once they hold a green card. Each card below opens a page that explains the path in more detail.
I-130, I-485
Family green cards
Bring a spouse, parent, child or sibling to the United States, or help them become permanent residents.
N-400, N-600
Citizenship
Become a U.S. citizen through naturalization, or confirm citizenship your child already holds.
H-4, L-2, EAD
Spouse work permits
Work authorization for spouses of H-1B and L-1 professionals.
RFE, I-290B, I-601A
Denied or delayed
Responses to requests for evidence, motions, appeals and waivers of inadmissibility.
NVC, DS-260
Family abroad
Immigrant visas for relatives living outside the United States, from petition to embassy interview.
O-1, EB-1A, EB-1B
Extraordinary ability
Visas and green cards for researchers, founders, artists, athletes and leaders with distinguished records.
Step 3
What working with us looks like
- 1
Assess
We review your goals, history and documents, then explain which paths fit and what each involves. You leave the consultation with a clear next step.
- 2
Prepare
We build the filing: forms, evidence and, where needed, a written legal argument. You receive a checklist and we review each document you send.
- 3
Represent
We file, track the case and answer government requests. We prepare you for interviews and attend where the rules allow.
- 4
Plan ahead
Approval is often one step in a longer path. We map the route from visa to green card to citizenship and flag dates to watch.
- 5
Stay compliant
We help you and your employer keep status, renew on time and avoid errors that could affect future applications.
Step 4
Find your starting point
Three short questions. Your answers stay in your browser and are not stored.
Which path fits me?
Question 1 of 3
What would you like to achieve?
Glossary
Terms you will meet
- Adjustment of status
- Applying for a green card from inside the United States, without leaving for an embassy interview.
- Affidavit of Support (I-864)
- A sponsor's legal promise to support an immigrant financially.
- Biometrics
- Fingerprints, a photograph and a signature taken at a USCIS appointment for background checks.
- Consular processing
- Applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
- EAD
- Employment Authorization Document, the card that proves permission to work.
- Green card
- Lawful permanent residence, the right to live and work in the United States permanently.
- I-94
- The electronic arrival record showing how and when a person entered and how long they may stay.
- Immediate relative
- A U.S. citizen's spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent (when the citizen is 21 or older).
- Naturalization
- The process by which a permanent resident becomes a U.S. citizen.
- Notario fraud
- Unlicensed people who claim to offer immigration legal help. In the United States a notary public is not a lawyer.
- Petitioner
- The person or employer who files a petition on someone's behalf.
- Beneficiary
- The person a petition is filed for.
- Premium processing
- An optional extra fee for a faster USCIS decision on certain petitions.
- Priority date
- Your place in line for a limited green card category, usually the date the petition was filed.
- Receipt notice (I-797C)
- The USCIS notice confirming a filing, with the receipt number used to track the case.
- RFE
- Request for Evidence, a USCIS letter asking for more documents before a decision.
- Unlawful presence
- Time spent in the United States after authorized stay ends, which can trigger bars to returning.
- USCIS
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that decides most immigration applications filed in the country.
- Visa Bulletin
- The monthly U.S. Department of State chart showing which priority dates can move forward.
- Waiver
- A request that the government forgive a ground that would otherwise block a visa or green card.
Protect yourself from immigration scams
In the United States, a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot give immigration advice. Only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives may do so. Read our guide to avoiding scams.
Tell us where you are. We will show you the way forward.
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