The Most Common Ways to Migrate to America

For many around the world, the United States represents a land of opportunity, freedom, and prosperity. The allure of the American dream has driven millions to seek ways to make the U.S. their home. Here, we explore the most common pathways for migrating to America, highlighting the processes, requirements, and opportunities associated with each.

1. Family-Based Immigration

Family reunification is one of the cornerstone principles of U.S. immigration policy. Citizens and lawful permanent residents (LPRs) can sponsor relatives to join them in the United States. There are several categories under this system:

  • Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens: This category includes spouses, unmarried minor children, and parents of U.S. citizens. There is no annual cap on the number of visas available for immediate relatives.
  • Family Preference System: This system applies to more distant family relationships, such as adult children and siblings of U.S. citizens, as well as spouses and unmarried children of LPRs. These visas are limited in number, and applicants often face long waiting periods.

2. Employment-Based Immigration

The U.S. attracts skilled workers from around the globe to meet its economic needs. Employment-based immigration is divided into five preference categories:

  • EB-1: Priority workers, including those with extraordinary abilities, outstanding professors and researchers, and multinational executives.
  • EB-2: Professionals holding advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional abilities.
  • EB-3: Skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
  • EB-4: Special immigrants, including certain religious workers, employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and other special categories.
  • EB-5: Immigrant investors who invest at least $1 million (or $500,000 in targeted employment areas) in a new commercial enterprise that creates at least ten full-time jobs for U.S. workers.

3. Diversity Visa Lottery

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery aims to diversify the immigrant population in the U.S. by selecting applicants from countries with historically low immigration rates. Each year, up to 50,000 visas are awarded through a random selection process. Applicants must meet simple but strict eligibility requirements:

  • Be from a qualifying country.
  • Have a high school education or equivalent, or two years of work experience in an occupation that requires at least two years of training or experience.

4. Asylum and Refugee Status

Individuals who fear persecution in their home countries due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group can apply for asylum or refugee status:

  • Refugees apply for protection while outside the U.S. and must be referred for resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) or a U.S. Embassy.
  • Asylees apply for protection while already in the U.S. or at a port of entry.

5. Temporary Protected Status (TPS)

The U.S. grants Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to nationals of certain countries experiencing ongoing armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other extraordinary conditions. TPS beneficiaries can live and work in the U.S. for a limited period, but this status does not directly lead to permanent residency.

6. Student and Exchange Visitor Visas

Many individuals first come to the U.S. on student (F-1) or exchange visitor (J-1) visas. While these visas are non-immigrant, they can sometimes serve as stepping stones to permanent residency. For example, international students who find employment can be sponsored by their employers for an H-1B visa, which may eventually lead to a green card.

7. Special Immigration Programs

The U.S. has several special immigration programs, such as:

  • U.S. Military Service: Non-citizens who serve honorably in the U.S. military during wartime may be eligible for expedited citizenship.
  • Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Provides immigration relief for victims of domestic violence, allowing them to self-petition for a green card.

Conclusion

Migrating to America involves navigating a complex landscape of laws, requirements, and waiting periods. While the process can be daunting, each pathway offers unique opportunities for individuals and families seeking a new beginning in the United States. Whether through family connections, employment opportunities, educational pursuits, or humanitarian protection, the journey to becoming an American resident or citizen is a testament to the enduring appeal of the American dream.

Online Immigration Lawyer Services Now Available

The immigration law system is immensely complicated. Sometimes it is a huge help to have advice on the preparation of visa applications. In the USA, it is possible for overseas lawyers to advise on immigration matters as long as you are current outside the territory of the United States.

We have immigration lawyers online now available to assist with your immigration law matter.

Refugee Visa Information Pack

Today we are launching the refugee visa download pack.  It is a guide to lodging a refugee visa application for the United States. A refugee visa is for someone who is in fear of persecution in their home country. It is also sometimes called seeking asylum. There are many examples of famous refugees in the United States. For instance, Albert Einstein and a number of the scientists that helped the United States win World War II were originally refugees from Nazi Germany.

The pack contains all of the information which you need in order to apply for a refugee visa in the United States.

It is available for the very reasonable price of USD$10.00 and you can download it instantly.

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**A download link will be emailed to you once payment is made via paypal.

New Spouse Visa Download Pack

Today we are launching the spouse visa download pack.  It is a guide to lodging a permanent residency (Green Card) application for the United States where your spouse is immigrating to the United States.  The pack contains all of the forms and information which you need to lodge this type of visa application.

It is available for the very reasonable price of USD$10.00 and you can download it instantly.

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**A download link will be emailed to you once payment is made via paypal.

Welcome to Migrate to America

America is one of the greatest countries on earth and the prime destination that people choose when they want to migrate.  Over 150 million people around the world say that they want to migrate to America and its easy to see why.  America has always been a land of opportunity that rewards hard work.  Migrants from all over the world came to build America at different stages in her history.  Most famously, the Statue of Liberty in New York has the inscription on it:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses, yearning to breath free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,
Send these, the homeless, tempest tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.”

We are passionate about helping people to migrate to america.  We have lawyers available to help you migrate but we also understand that lawyers are expensive and that is why we also sell self help kits to assist you with the migration process.