Visas

Legal Information

• Answers to Common Questions - How Do I . . .

  The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services has created a series of documents that they call "How Do I …?s" These documents cover a wide variety of topics on immigration matters and are meant to assist you in finding the information you need about a particular immigration and asylum subject. Each How Do I …? starts with background information on the chosen topic, and then helps answer your questions about INS procedures. Each How Do I …? links you to information on the INS Website and, sometimes, to relevant information on other U.S. Government Websites. These links go to the relevant sections of immigration law and federal regulations, to instructions on applying for immigration benefits, the correct form and fee, and so on. Content Detail

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  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Beware of Dishonest Immigrant Consultants

  Recent immigrants who don't speak English fluently are easy prey for dishonest people who pretend to help them. This brochure, by the National Consumer Law Center helps you protect yourself against dishonest immigrant consultants. Content Detail

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  National Consumer Law Center

• Check Your Immigration Status Online

  If you have an application receipt number, you can check the status of your case online. Content Detail

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  U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service

• Foreign Labor Certification

  Hiring foreign workers for employment in the U.S. normally requires approval from several government agencies. Certain visa categories first require employers to seek labor certification through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Once the application is certified (approved), the employer must petition the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) for a visa. Approval by DOL does not guarantee a visa issuance. The Department of State (DOS) will issue a visa number to the foreign worker for U.S. entry. Applicants must also establish that they are admissible to the U.S. under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). This site provides information to assist an employer in preparing a labor certification application in any one of the several employment-based visa programs. Content Detail

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  U.S. Department of Labor

• Foreign Workers and Social Security Numbers

  Are you temporarily in the United States to work? If you are, your employer will ask for your Social Security number. Social Security numbers are used to report your wages to the government. Social Security numbers can be assigned to foreign workers who are authorized to work in the United States. Content Detail

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  Social Security Administration

• HIV-Related Testing Requirements & Restrictions for Entry Into Foreign Countries

  This resource contains a list of countries and the HIV-Related testing requirements. Content Detail

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  LAMBDA Legal Defense & Education Fund

• How Can An Immigration Lawyer Help You?

  If you or a family member is interested in living in the United States, you may need someone who can help you understand U.S. immigration laws and who can help you apply for legal status. This page will help you decide if you need an immigration lawyer and what you need to know to choose a qualified lawyer or authorized representative. Lawyers will tell you what to expect up front. They will warn you of the risks and possibilities that can reasonably be expected. Content Detail

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  American Immigration Lawyers Association

• Immigrant Rights

  Since this nation's founding, more than 55 million immigrants from every continent have settled in the United States. In fact, with the exception of Native Americans, everyone living in this country is either an immigrant or the descendent of voluntary or involuntary immigrants. Content Detail

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  American Civil Liberties Union

• Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior

  El IME cubre las funciones de la Oficina Presidencial para la Atención de las Comunidades Mexicanas en el Extranjero y del Programa para las Comunidades Mexicanas en el Exterior; cuenta con un Consejo Consultivo integrado por 152 miembros, representantes de la comunidad mexicana y mexicano-americana en Estados Unidos. Content Detail

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  Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior

• Know Before You Go

  This web page contains U.S. Customs and Border Protection Regulations for U.S. Residents: 1. Introduction 2. When You Return To The United States 3. Documentary Requirements For Entry 4. What You Must Declare 5. Register Items Before You Leave the United States 6. Duty-Free Exemption 7. Gifts 8. Duty-Free or Reduced Rates 9. Increased Duty Rates 10. Paying Duty 11. Sending Goods to the United States 12. Unaccompanied Baggage 13. Unaccompanied Purchases from Insular Possessions and Caribbean Basin Countries 14. Duty-Free Shops 15. Prohibited and Restricted Items 16. Money and Other Monetary Instruments 17. Traveling Back and Forth Across the Border 18. Photographic Film 19. Customer Service Programs 20. Other Travel-related Information Content Detail

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  U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• Limited English Proficiency Education PDF

  Community Education on Limited English Proficiency Content Detail

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  South Carolina Legal Services

• Make an Appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  Make an Online Appointment with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Content Detail

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  U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Obtaining a U.S. Visa

  This guide takes you though the basic steps on what you can expect throughout the process. Content Detail

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  U.S. Department of State

• Public Charge Fact Sheet

  Information for immigrants who receive public benefits and are trying to get a green card. PDF document (may load slowly). Content Detail

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  South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center

• Student Visas

  If you want to study in the United States in an academic institution or to take language training in English, you may be able to receive an F-1 student visa. An academic institution may be a university, an established college, a private high school or a private elementary school. Study in a public high school or a public elementary school may be possible, but only under very limited circumstances. If you plan to study in a public high school or elementary school you should consult with a lawyer before doing so to avoid serious problems. Content Detail

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  The American Immigration Law Foundation