Everyone who is not an American citizen needs authorization to live in the U.S. There are two classes of people who are authorized to be in the United States:
An immigrant visa (Green Card) allows you to:
Remember that your green card needs to be renewed every 10 years.
Each non-immigrant visa shows:
A non-immigrant visa allows you to remain in the in the U.S. for a temporary period and a specific purpose. Non-immigrant visas generally are issued for business, tourism, temporary work, study and exchange. In addition, spouses and children of individuals granted non-immigrant visas can be granted a visa to accompany their spouse or parent. It is important to note that many non-immigrant visas do not permit the holder to work – violating this restriction could lead to deportation.
For more information about immigration laws, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website here: http://goo.gl/onfjS and this website: https://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship . You can also find general information about a green card here: https://www.uscis.gov/greencard .
Disclaimer: Information on this page is not legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information is general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation. For specific situations, please consult an attorney.