Entering الولايات المتحدة

How to get a visa

• B-1/B-2 or ESTA

  Visit / tourism · ESTA usually 90 days; B visas often 6 months

  • VWP passports use ESTA. Others file DS-160, pay, and interview at a mission.

• H-1B specialty occupation

  Work · 3+3 years, lottery and cap

  • Employer files with USCIS, subject to the annual cap and lottery except for cap-exempt employers.

• F-1 student + OPT

  Study · Programme length + OPT / STEM OPT

  • After an I-20, pay SEVIS and interview. OPT after graduation; STEM can extend.

Immigration routes

• EB-1 / EB-2 / EB-3 employment immigration

  Skilled work

  Employer or self-petition (NIW), then wait for a priority date, adjust status or consular process.

  Leads to PR：Approval is a green card. Backlogs vary sharply by nationality and category.

• Family immigration

  Family

  Citizens or green-card holders sponsor a spouse, child, parent or sibling.

  Leads to PR：Immediate relatives of citizens (spouse, minor child, parent) are usually fastest.

• EB-5 investment

  Investment

  Invest at TEA or standard amounts and create jobs.

  Leads to PR：Capital and project risk need independent due diligence.

PR & citizenship