Pre-Academy Immigration Law

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Thefollowing steps must be completed in order for an individual to become animmigrant or lawful permanent resident of the United States:

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Filea Petition. An employer or a relative (petitioner) mustfile a petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services(USCIS). USCIS must then approve thepetition.

Receivea Visa Number. Next, the State Department needs to issue avisa number. U.S. law limits the numberof immigrant visa numbers that are available each year. Therefore, an alien may not be eligible toget an immigrant visa number immediately.

CompleteImmigrant Visa Application. After the visa number is issued, the alien(now referred to as the beneficiary) must complete the Immigrant VisaApplication (Form DS-230) in person at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy that hasjurisdiction.

If the beneficiary is already in the United States, he or she must apply toadjust to permanent resident status at a USCIS office.

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Preference System: Immediate Relatives