Passport
A passport is a travel document usually issued by a country’s government that certifies the identity and nationality of its holder, primarily for international travel.
Visa
A visa is conditional authorization granted by a country to a foreigner, allowing him/her to enter, remain within, or to leave that country. A visa most commonly takes the form of a sticker endorsed in the applicant passport or other travel document.
All visitors to the United States must obtain a visa from one of the United States diplomatic missions (embassy or consulate) unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or one of the Visa Waiver Countries. India is not either of these countries; hence all Indians citizens will need a visa to enter the United States.
There are two main types of visas- immigrant and non-immigrant. The immigrant visa is also called a permanent visa. An immigrant visa holder (green card holder) can apply for US citizenship after certain years of waiting, usually five years. A non-immigrant visa holder cannot apply for citizenship without first changing his status to an immigrant visa.
Immigrant Visa
Immigrating to the United States is a complex process. To be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign (alien) citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative or a permanent resident relative (green card holder), or a prospective U.S .employer. A U.S. citizen can file an immigrant visa petition for- spouse, son or daughter under 21, parent and brother and sister. A green card holder can file an immigrant visa petition for- spouse and unmarried son or daughter.
Non-immigrant Visas (Temporary Visa)
There are several different categories of non-immigrant visas. I will discuss the ones most commonly obtained by people coming to the United States.
B-1and B-2
The most common non-immigrant visa is the multipurpose B-1/ B-2 Visa, also known as the visa for temporary visitors for business or pleasure. B visas are issued based on applicant interviews with a U.S. consulate official. Certain demographics, such as young adults, those who are single and /or unemployed, almost never receive visas. In 2016, only 26% of Indians who applied for B visa , received one.
F-Visa
These visas are used by foreign students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities. F-1 visa holders have limited work opportunity with in the college or university. I have discussed these visas in an earlier article published in https://odishawatch.in/
H Visa
H visas are issued to temporary workers in the United States. The H-1B visa category allows US organization with a Federal Identification No/IRS Tax number to employ foreign professional to work in US for up to six years. Dependents of the H1B visa holders can stay with him/her as long as the H1B visa status is maintained. They can also attend school.
H1B
The H1B visa is for professional- level jobs that require a minimum of bachelor’s degree in a specific academic field. Most Indians IT professionals enter US under H1B visa. Foreign medical doctors who have completed the FLEX can also get H1B visa. H1B visa holder can apply for permanent status or green card. After being a green card holder for five years one can apply for US citizenship. Spouse and children of H1B visa holder can also get temporary visa to enter USA. Candidates who are eligible for H1B visa are:
- Scientist
- Engineers
- IT professionals
- Research analysts
- Accountants and architects
- Professional nurses
- Ministers (priests)
The current US law limits H1B visa to 65,000 per year from all the countries of the world. Additional 20,000 per year H1B visas are available to foreign nationals with master or higher degrees from an US university.
J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor)
J-1 Visa is issued to participants of work-and study- based excahnge programs. Spouse and children of J-1 visitors are issued J-2 Visa. Exchange visitor visa candidates are:
- College and university students
- Interns
- Physicians coming to US for further training.
- Professors and research scholars
- Specialists in some fields
- Teachers
Grounds for Denial of Visa
Grounds for denial of visa may include, but not limited to:
- Health ground
- Criminal history
- Security fears
- Failure to produce required documents
- Previously removed from US
- Illegal entrants or immigration violation
- Ineligible for citizenship
Contrary to popular misconception, a US visa does not authorize the alien’s (foreigner) entry to the United States. A US visa only serves as a preliminary permission given to a foreigner to travel to the United States. The final admission is given at the designated port of entry, by a U.S. Custom and Border Protection (CBP) officer.
Conclusion
Coming to the USA legally is not easy. If you can get a job with Tata Consulting, Infosys, Wipro or other IT companies in India and they send you to US that is the easiest way. When you are working for them on some project in US, you may be able to find a job with a US company who may be willing to sponsor you for a permanent visa. There is along waiting period, several years, to change your temporary visa status to that of permanent status. Once you get a green card (immigrant visa) you can switch job, make more money, sponsor your family members and later on if you want, become a US citizen. The other way is for you to come to US for post graduate study (Master, PH.D). Once you complete your study, your job prospect in US is quite good. Most likely some company will hire you for your expertise and they will sponsor you for a green card. You will also be eligible for the 20,000 H1B visas available evry year for foreigners with Master or higher degree from an US university.
The US embassy is located in New-Delhi. There are US Consulate offices in Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and a virtual consulate at Bangalore. Visit their web sites for more information (in.usembassy.gov). The best source of reliable information is the Web site of the US State Department (travel.state.gov/content/visa).
I was born in village Mullbar in Bargarh district. I attended my village elementary school, Kamgaon Middle School, C.S.Zila School, G.M. College and A.I.I.M.S (NewDelhi). I came to US on a J-1 visa to further my medical training. I got a teaching job in a medical college, changed my visa status to permanent, became a US citizen and raised a family in USA. I did it in 1970, with eighty dollars (50 rupees at that time), no connection and no internet. I have written this article with the hope that some of you will come to US for higher study and hopefully you will be able to stay. Even if you cannot stay, you will get a great education and get a good job when you return home.
Study hard. Do well in college. Dream big dreams. Once in awhile dream comes true. Good Luck and Best wishes!