Immigration Visas give a foreign national permanent residence status in the United States. An immigrant visa allows him to reside and work permanently in the U.S. as well as to travel. He will be qualified to apply for citizenship after five (5) years.

Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens (IR) are based on a close family relationship with a U.S. citizen, including spouses, children, and parents. Additionally, a U.S. citizen can sponsor a child adopted or to be adopted from abroad, if that child meets the definition of orphan as provided for in immigration law. Family members of United States citizens (not Legal Permanent Residents) can file Immediate Relative Petitions. For immigration purposes, Immediate Relative classifications include:

• Spouse of a U.S. Citizen
• Unmarried Child Under 21 Years of Age of a U.S. Citizen (IR-2)
• Orphan adopted abroad by a U.S. Citizen (IR-3)
• Orphan to be adopted in the United States by a U.S. citizen (IR-4)
• Parent of a U.S. Citizen who is at least 21 years old (IR-5)

Employment Based Immigration Visas allow a U.S. employer to petition a foreign national employee based on a bona fide “offer of employment” approved by the Department of Labor.

Extraordinary Ability & National Interest Waiver visas allow foreign nationals who are at the very top of their respective fields may obtain permanent residence status by demonstrating extraordinary ability and it will inure to the benefit of national interest.

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status. As of November 20, 2014, you are eligible for DACA if you:

1. Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday and have no lawful status;
2. Have continuously resided in the United States since before January 1, 2010, through the present time, including at the time for applying for DACA with USCIS;
3. Entered without inspection before June 15, 2012, or your lawful immigration status expired as of June 15, 2012;
4. Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
5. Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.