Different Types of US Citizenship
Every person living in the United States, whether temporarily or permanently should be a lawfully acknowledged resident in the country. Gaining United States citizenship opens doors to many opportunities when living in this country. These opportunities included traveling freely and employment.
Application for residency in the United States is sometimes a long process that involves many documents. Obtaining US citizenship for many applicants can include tons of paperwork, interviews, classes, and other requirements. It is important to plan your application process, and be readily prepared to provide any additional information requested. There are various forms of residency requirements and citizenship in the United States. In this article we take a look at a few of the most popular options.
United States Visa
A visa is form of documentation that gives a person the right to enter the United States. It acts as a lawful document granting a person temporary residency in the country. To obtain a visa a person should either apply to renew or extend the tenure of their permit. If their permit is expired it is recommended that the person leave the country until further notice, or contact an immigration attorney in Fort Lauderdale. In most cases, a visa can be viewed as the first step in obtaining citizenship.
Visas are available in different forms depending on the purpose of visiting the United States, and can provide temporary residency. This residency gives the holder rights to be employed in the country, vacationing, or attending an accredited university.
Green Card
The green card can be viewed as a “special visa” because applicants qualify for the card through a certain eligibility process, but it is similar to those of the visa application. Green cards are based on categories such as work, family, asylee status, and other statuses. But, unlike standard visas, green cards give holders a lawful permanent yet conditional residency in the country.
Green cards are subject to certain limitations; for instance, green card holders cannot live outside the country for unlimited amounts of time.
Naturalization
Obtaining United States citizenship is possible in two ways: through naturalization and other eligibility factors. The naturalization process grants citizenship through a process that requires applicants to establish eligibility, go through fingerprinting and identification. Other processes include undergoing an interview or taking and passing certain tests in United States civics and language. A person applies for naturalization by filing an Application for Naturalization, Form N-400.
Citizenship
Citizenship through birth applies to individuals born in the United States and to parents that are both United States citizens. It also applies to birth outside of the United State but to parents that are both citizens and have legally adopted a child. Citizenship can also be through marriage to citizen as well as based on other outstanding factors such as joining and serving in the United States military. A green card holder is able to apply for naturalization to become United States citizens as well.
Applying for a Visa or Citizenship
Obtaining a legally recognized right of residency in the United States requires a person to either have a temporary resident permit, visa, green card, or becoming a citizen through marriage or birth. People come to the country for various reasons but the most common reasons include tourism, employment, and studying at a university.
The type of visas, permit, and citizenship is determined and based on the length of stay. Typically, a person visiting for a few weeks or months to work or tour will need a work visa or tourist visa. These forms of visas are temporary residency permits.
However, a person coming to live and work in the United States for several years will benefit from a lawful permanent residency. These are provided as green cards or lawful citizenship. However, green card holders cannot make a home outside the United States or vote in any United States elections though they may have permanent residency.
By obtaining citizenship, a person is protected from deportation and obtains the right to vote in public elections. Citizenship also gives the person the right to receive a United States passport that gives them the right to travel safely as well as return to the country. A person in the United States seeking residency while attending a university also affords him or her an opportunity to receive scholarships and grants. Though these can even be offered to non-American citizens, U.S. citizen receives first consideration for scholarships and grants.
While a tourist visa may allow a person to travel in the United States, visas are subject to travel limitation. On the other hand, U.S. citizens enjoy unlimited travel in and out of the country without the risk of losing their citizenship. Contact our immigration attorney in Fort Lauderdale for more information.
