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There are many benefits to applying for a K-1 visa, which is open to any foreigner set to marry an American citizen (who is a permanent resident of the US). One of them is that the waiting period is typically shorter than immigration visa petitions that are marriage based. With a K-1 visa, you can also file Form I-765 and get a work permit. Not only that, with a K-2 dependent visa, your children can also go with you to the US as long as their names appear on the petition for fiance visa.

Requirements for a K-1 Fiance Visa

Before you apply for a K-1 Fiance Visa, you must first determine your eligibility. One of the required conditions is that you and your fiance can enter into legal marriage without violating any US law or that of your country. The marriage should also be set within 90 days when you arrive in the US. Your reason for going to the US should be to get married with your fiance who is a US citizen. Another condition for eligibility states that you should have met your fiance within the last two years. However, there are also exceptions to this condition such as violating certain customs when you meet in person or the meeting would bring inconvenience to your and your partner.

Tips when applying for a US visa

The one to file for a K-1 fiance visa petition to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) should be your fiance who is a US citizen. The needed forms and documents include the following: USCIS Form I-129F (petition for alien fiance), evidence of your fiance's US citizenship such as a birth certificate, passport, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, and two (2) Form G-325A Biographic Data Sheets that should be filled out by you and your fiance, as well as a separate color photo of you and your fiance (within 30 days when filing the petition). If you or your fiance has been married before, you or your fiance must present divorce papers, death certificates, or annulment decrees to make sure that you're not violating any law. In case of age restrictions, any proof of permission to marry should also be submitted along with the visa petition.

Before you apply for a K-1 fiance visa, make sure that you're eligible and that all requirements are in hand. Consult an immigration lawyer who can walk you through the process.

Taking the the U.S. Citizenship Test is a part of the naturalization process. Those aspiring to take the Oath of Allegiance to finally be declared US citizens should first pass this exam. There are only few exceptions to this process, so you must prepare for the exam well in advance.

Common questions asked in the citizenship test

The US citizenship test covers oral, reading, and writing examinations. You'll also encounter basic questions about the American government, history, and some civic questions. Examples of specific test questions are: How many stars can you find the in the US flag? What do the stars on the flag represent? When is Independence Day? Some questions are common knowledge, while others would require s little research and preparation, especially if you're still not familiar with the structure of the US government and other political figures in American history.

Preparing for the citizenship test

If you're not a native English speaker, then you better brush up on your communications skills, which includes the oral and written aspects. Reading comprehension is also an important part of the exam. This shows how well you can understand the local language. There are study guides and materials you can find online to prepare for the exam. Some of the questions were even redesigned. In any case, don't limit your review to these questions. Learn more about the US government, current issues, and anything that affects your citizenship. Watch the news and know the important events and personalities in American history.

Ask a friend or family who has gone through the same process. If you have an immigration lawyer helping you with your immigrant status, get some advice on how you can prepare well for the exam as well as know all options you have for US citizenship.

Many citizens of countries worldwide have dreamed of migrating to the United States for various reasons. Some believe that the United States offers a bright future for them financially. Others wish to just be with their families who have been immigrants themselves. But in order to stay in the United States for an extended period of time (beyond the maximum six-month allowable stay of tourist visas or the number of years allowed by student visas), an aspiring US immigrant will need to get a green card. The green card will make one eligible to stay, live, and work in the US for as long as he or she wants.

Green card eligibility

To be eligible for a green card, a person has to initially have a valid visa to enter the United States. This may be by having an immigrant visa, a working visa, a student visa, or a tourist visa. An immigrant visa is granted to a person who has been petitioned by a close relative such as a mother, father, brother, or sister who has become a citizen of the US. Having an immigrant visa will allow a person to enter the US and stay continuously for a period of time.

Adjustment of status for aspiring green card holders

With a working visa, a person will be allowed to enter the US and work for a particular company. And while in the US, he or she may decide to apply for a green card that will be granted by virtue of his or her work history and length of stay. Another common situation is entering the US through a tourist visa, and while vacationing, one may find a job and be granted a working visa. After many years, one may decide to apply for a green card. Through a student visa, one is allowed to stay to study for a certain period of time. While doing so, there's the option of applying for a green card.

By whatever way an aspiring immigrant enters the US and justifies his or her extended stay there, what is important is that the entry and stay are legal. The stay and residence in the US must likewise be continuous and untainted. Only then can one apply for a green card and be granted an immigrant status.

Having a green card is proof of your permanent residency status, which means that you can live and work permanently in the United States. There are several ways in which you can obtain a green card.

Employment-based green card

One way to get a green card is through a job or job offer. In this case, you will have to be highly skilled or have an extraordinary ability in professions that require a certain specialization.

Green card through adoption

Foreign-born children adopted by a US citizen can get a green card. There are some requirements you have to fulfill in this category such as being adopted before the age of 16, lawful custody for at least two years, etc.

While most green card holders are petitioned by family members or job offers, you can also get one through your own initiative. You can fall into the green card through investment category, wherein your permanent residency is granted on the merits of creating jobs or giving employment to US citizens.

Applying for US Immigration is more complex and difficult, especially in these times of terrorist alerts and heightened national security. Preparing your application is more than just filling up forms. To avoid delays and confusion, it is best to get a US immigration lawyer.

Get referrals and recommendations before choosing immigration lawyer services

To make sure that the lawyer you hire will provide you with the best service, get referrals and recommendations. You can start with inquiring at the State Bar or with the American Immigration Lawyers Association for qualified lawyers in good standing.

Review the credentials of the immigration attorney

Aside from membership in the above groups, other credentials you would want your lawyer to have are the number of years specializing in immigration law, success rate, reputation, etc.

Once you have a shortlist of immigration lawyers in mind, interview them first before choosing the one who will represent you. The interview will give you an idea on how he or she will handle your case as you will be working closely together for some time.

As an immigrant, having a green card (officially known as the Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551) will open more opportunities for you that will ultimately help you have a better life. Thus, it is important that you do your part in making sure that your green card application will be processed smoothly.

Submit your green card application on time

The first rule in applying for anything is to submit your application on time. Be aware of the deadlines by getting updates with the USCIS in their office nearest you or through their website.

Include complete information on your green card application

Your green card application should be treated with utmost importance so you have to fill it out carefully and completely. Do not miss out any of the information required in the application forms. Review each information before submitting.

If for any reason there are changes in your biographic information, you should inform the USCIS immediately. Just by doing these common sense rules, you can eliminate some hassles in your application.

Last week I found out from my friend that my favorite colleague is going to Dubai. At first, I thought that she was only going to stay there for her summer vacation since her whole family is in Dubai. Then I discovered that she will never come back here because she will settle in Dubai with her family. My friend also told me that Mary Joy or MJ is going to Dubai next Sunday. I am saddened by this news. I don't want Mary Joy to leave us.

When I went to the supermarket that day I saw MJ with a plastic bag full of chocolates. I approached and we chatted for awhile. She told me that she's going to make her favorite chocolate dessert that's why she bought chocolate bars. She also narrated her plans to go to Dubai next week. I found out from our conversation that her family had no intention of migrating to Dubai before. But when her father got a high-paying job as an engineer for a telephone company, her parents decided to stay there for good.

Mary Joy told me that Dubai is very beautiful. In fact, you can see a lot of gold jewelries being sold in every street. There are also many job opportunities you can find in Dubai. The application process is fast and easy since Dubai is an open city to foreigners. Before we said our goodbyes to one another, Mary Joy gave me an application form for Dubai in case I want to migrate there.

Last week, I visited my cousin in his apartment for a tete-a-tete. I want to know what's up with him these days. He's always busy whenever I call him up and when I invite him for lunch or dinner; he always reply no to me. When I visited him I found out why he's so busy. He's going to Qatar in November. I was totally shocked by this announcement since my cousin has no plans to migrate and if he does, he would prefer to go to Canada since his family lives there.

When my cousin narrated his plans to travel in Qatar, I thought that he was insane and hopeless. Why Qatar? I told him that it's very dangerous and risky to go there because of it's location. It's in the Middle East, right? He corrected me about Qatar's location. He said that it's very far from Lebanon or Israel. He explained to me that he only intends to stay there for a short period of time. He only wants to save money since the job opportunities in Qatar are many. For him, Qatar is an unspoiled island that he has yet to explore.

My 28-year-old cousin told me that I should go to Qatar too since it offers many opportunities. There are only few tourists there since a lot of people have misconceptions about Qatar. This country is good for businessmen, teachers, and tourists who want to see other things. The salary of most people in Qatar is big as compared to the salary he has in our country. When I asked him, how long will he stay? He said that if he finds Qatar a haven or a place where he truly grows, then he will not go back in our country again.

I would like to call immigration as the new holocaust of the future. Every time I hear someone speaks of his migration to another country, my heart would sank. Why is it everyone's leaving? I understand that economy is one of the major factor why people opted to go to another country. People go to other countries in search of bright futures when in fact, the economic crisis that my country is experiencing right now is also being experienced by a lot of nations. I couldn't blame these people because lately I've realized that I want to migrate in Africa when I read an article via my dsl broadband internet about migration in Africa.

Ever since I was a little child, I always want to go to Africa and become a missionary. I would like to volunteer and help little kids. But my mother won't allow me because she said I could get AIDS in Africa. I told her that Africa as the source of AIDS is one of the misconceptions about Africa that should be corrected. I want to go to Africa because I love the wild life nature and the rustic life of the people. I also want to learn their different languages and explore their tribal cultures. Specifically, I want to go to South Africa because the country has a lot of business related opportunities and jobs.

When my mother asked me why South Africa? I answered her, "Why not South Africa?" Personally, I want to go to South Africa because it's not been exposed to foreigners yet. A lot of people these days want to go to Canada, United States and New Zealand. I haven't heard anybody yet who said he wants to migrate in South Africa. I've also heard from my friend, who is a business entrepreneur that South Africa is a rich country, culturally and economically speaking. It's a highly urbanized country that has a stable and good economy. I will definitely go to South Africa, play with mother nature and work as a missionary or businessman.

Before deciding which country to reside, my lover and I decided that it's best if we search the internet and read some stuff about the migration openings from top countries. These top countries include United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Although we learn a lot of information regarding the migration process and the places to migrate in each countries, we still don't have a clue. My parents suggested that we migrated in Canada since the country is fertile with job opportunities. My mother even said that as long as we have money we can go there. We then decided to buy the bestseller and ultimate immigrant's bible in Canada, Living and Working in Canada: A Survival Handbook by Janet MacDonald to know more about immigration in Canada.

A book is a good way to travel, mentally speaking. It's also a good source and guide before you have a physical travel in your destination. As a preparation to go to Canada, I've read the book of Janet MacDonald regarding immigration. This book contains helpful advices and tips about everything you need to know about Canada. It gives you an idea about the country's mode of living, transportation, job opportunities, media, government, education and health. Even though this book is five hundred pages, I feel that it still lacks many relevant information. I'm not really sure if this book is going to enlighten me or confuse me even more.

When I was reading this book, I feel that the author doesn't really know what she's talking about. Her main discussions are purely general Canadian topics and information. It tackles Canada as a whole and not per place. It could have been better if she wrote and divide the book by major cities and provinces. Most of the information here are the author's opinions and views and not facts. It's very difficult to rely to this book, if you're planning to migrate in Canada. This book will only give you a nutshell overview of Canada, which you can find in other websites. In fact, you can search in the internet and print a copy using your latest hp printer. In this way, you can learn more about Canada.

I remember back in Sunday school it was a teacher from Mexico who told us one parable in the Bible about an employer who picks laborers from the field and pays them their due wage as the day progressed. Basically, the last workers who were hired during the last quarter of the day received the same wage as the ones who were hired in the morning. If the illegal immigrants suffered the same experience here in the US, would they have complained? It seems to me that any wage is better than none, as long as these immigrant laborers get hired.

The Christian teacher from Mexico, the migrating Mexican laborers, and the capitalistic American employers all typify a day at Laguna Beach, California. These illegal immigrants travel to the US on short-term guest visas and look for work as soon as they cross the border. News had it that there will be campaigns and hearings supported by the House Speaker on these security measures. Hispanic Americans were outraged when the House ratified a bill that states illegal immigration is a crime while employing the illegal immigrants is a punishable act.

To the Mexicans who come to America for better future, it would be much tougher now. More and more protestors are realizing that the new bill posed another impact on the future's economy. Where random laborers could be found, there a new goldmine could be dug. But the government is fighting back on the influx of illegal foreign immigrants. I doubt that this will discourage them. If there were criteria to become the new American citizens, they would always do their best to get here, even if it means getting paid half less than they would normally be.

I have an aunt who lives in New Zealand, almost four years now. She and her family live in Auckland, New Zealand. Originally, my aunt and her family lived in Dubai but since Dubai nowadays is becoming populous, she decided to explore New Zealand. She heard from her churchmate that it's easy to get rich in New Zealand since there are many job opportunities and sources of income. In fact, the government will give you an allowance if you don't have a job yet. This is helpful since migrants don't have money to finance themselves after arriving in new soil. But once you find a job, the government of New Zealand will no longer finance you. It's better if you know someone in New Zealand before you migrate so that you have someone to show you around. New Zealand is a good place to migrate not only because of it's beautiful various weather but of it's opportunities.

One of the problems that most migrants face in New Zealand today is the cost of house rentals. My aunt who lived there since 2002 told me that most of their salary are put in the house rent. She told me that the rent is two hundred fifty New Zealand dollars a week. Although her salary is thirty-six New Zealand dollars per hour, she can't save enough money to buy her own house. She even told me that it will take her five to seven years to be able to have sufficient money to buy a simple type of house like her home in Dubai. But that's the drawback of migrating to New Zealand that she has to accept.

One of the benefits of migrants in New Zealand is they can help you finance your children's education if you don't have any means to provide for it. In fact, the youth below eighteen, I think, have their own allowance especially provided by the New Zealand government. Since college education is expensive in New Zealand and requires other fees besides the tuition and lodging, the government offers scholarships and study now, pay later programs. The study now, pay later programs allow students to study in their chosen schools and fields. After finishing their studies and establishing their own careers, they can now pay the government.

When I was a kid, all I wanted was to become a doctor. Doctors save life, that's why I have always considered them as heroes. Probably because they once saved my life. Until now, I cannot forget when I was diagnosed to have a Type 1 diabetes. Injecting myself with insulin was one of the most traumatic experiences that I have had. Thank you to Dr Smith, a family friend of ours who took care of me when I was sick. A year after, she went to UK and work there. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to thank her in person.

Later, I found out from my dad that Dr Smith had to work in the UK because of a better opportunity that awaits her. It was a tough decision for her, and she even asked my mom's advice about it. My mom told her to give it a try. According to her, not all doctors are given an opportunity as big as that. Now, she's considered as one of the best doctors in the hospital. The last time I visited UK, I met her and thanked her for everything she had done for me.

Working abroad is never easy. When I talked to her, Dr Smith said that her first years in UK were lonely and difficult. She had to adjust to a new environment, new people, and new culture. She missed her family and friends very much. Whenever she had problems, she had no one to talk to. She had a problem also with the language difference since most of the people she's working with had British accent. But despite these difficulties, she was able to survive. Indeed, she is a strong woman. According to her, when she retires, she will be back here. Still, she believes that there's no place like home.