Immigration
What is an Immigration Form?
When you apply for your green card or visa for USA immigration it is necessary to fill out an application to be filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or the American Consulate. The application is known as an immigration form or more recently, a visa or green card application.
The term ‘immigration form’ is associated with the former name of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which was called the INS. Still many people refer to a visa or green card application as part of the immigration forms which are filed with USCIS. An immigration form is made available from the USCIS website and there are other reputable sources that make these forms available plus, they will assist you with filling them out and filing them properly.
Immigration Form
Form Procedure
If you are currently in the United States application form can be filed with the USCIS. If you currently reside in another country an application form can be filed with the American Consulate within the country where you reside.
It is important to mention that some of the immigration forms can become quite complex. If you are uncertain about being able to complete the form correctly then it is always wise to enlist the help of a reputable source who is familiar with the procedure. That said, the basic procedure works like this:
• Submitting the Form: When your application form is completed properly you must submit the form to the USCIS or American Consulate with the appropriate supporting documents. There is also an application fee involved with submitting immigration forms to the USCIS.
• Application Receipt: Once your immigration form is submitted there is a waiting period before you receive an Application Receipt Notice. The receipt contains a number which acknowledges the fact that USCIS received your application form. You must retain this number since it will be used in the future to check on the status of your application form.
• Processing Time: If you retain your receipt number you can check the status of your application form on the USCIS website. The processing time may vary however, having your receipt number will provide you with a better idea on the status. Without the receipt number you will only be able to review approximate processing times on the USCIS website.
We should also mention that the USCIS provides a way for applicants to check the status of their application form as well as anyone who is representing you during the immigration process. Representatives may include your attorney, potential employer, and any other entity that is involved with your case.
Once you are notified that your immigration form has been processed you will be scheduled for an interview with the USCIS or American Consulate in the country where you reside. You will provided with a reasonable amount of time to prepare for your immigration interview. If someone is assisting you with your us-immigration form it is likely they will be able to help you prepare for a successful interview as well.
We recommend you to apply in the Green Card Lottery even if you are waiting for a decision from the Immigration office. Applying for a Green Card through the Green Card Lottery does not effect any other applications you may have filled.
