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Applying for just the right immigration status for you involves an analysis of your life, employment and family situation.
There may be more than one option available to you. Typically, a person comes to the United States first to visit. Most often this is the sole goal of entering this country.
Thereafter, circumstances evolve so as to create opportunities or desires to stay here for other reasons, and for various periods of time. Therefore, it is possible that one or more statuses can end up as part of your immigration path.
The Temporary Visas and Permanent Residence options contained in this section explain the various categories that exist under U.S. immigration laws. You can click on any of the visa options listed to get a detailed explanation of the specific options.
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V - SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF PERMANENT RESIDENTS
For aliens whose petitions by U.S. permanent residents for immigrant status were filed on or before December 21, 2000 and hasn't yet been able to secure permanent residence within three years, may enter the U.S. or change to V-1 (spouse), V-2 (child under 21) or V-3 (dependent child of spouse or child) status. The status can be used to await approval of the relative petition, the availabililty of the immigrant visa number or permanent residence through adjustment of status in the U.S. or an immigrant visa issued abroad. The period of admission may not exceed two years, and may applly for extensions up to two years. Once a child turns 21, s/he is no longer eligible for V status, so it's important that the immigrant case be handled as quickly as possible. Under certain circumstances, children who turn 21 during the immigration process can still qualify for permanent residence even though they no longer qualify for V status. V aliens qualify for employment authorization when they make an application for employment. Note that aliens in the U.S. who are in unlawful status berfore getting V status, should not depart the U.S. before securing permanent residence.
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