The United States Citizenship & Immigration Services [USCIS] is a bureau in the United States Department of Homeland Security.

With around 184,000 employees, the DHS is the third largest cabinet department in the federal government after Defense and Veterans Affairs Departments. It's headed by Michael Chertoff.

These are as follows:
1. PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD [aka Green Card];
2. EMPLOYMENT VISA;
3. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT VISA;
4. VISITOR VISA;
5. LOTTERY;
6. NATURALIZATION [Citizenship].

Firstly, it should be noted that the Department of Homeland Security is constantly reviewing its methods and practices, particularly regarding immigration and visas. Whilst everything here is as current and up to date as can be, changes to the Form numbers or names, certain conditions of entry or practically any other classification can change. Sometimes the DHS gives us warnings of impending changes and sometimes they don't.

Secondly, a cautionary note: mistakes you make on any form sent to the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services [USCIS] can prove costly to your application. Be as certain as possible that you correctly fill out all the sections that apply to you, enter a "n/a" in those that are not applicable and if the answer is none, write "none". Be aware - errors will likely result in your application being delayed or even rejected, setting you back months - oh, and your fee will be lost too. Not a position you want to be in. In fact, as a precaution I'd suggest reading through the requirements first, writing out a check list of supporting documents you'll need and then printing two copies of the form.

Fill out one initially, then get a fresh pair of eyes to check it to make sure it's ok. Do all this, BEFORE going back and filling out the 'good' one you will send to USCIS. It's likely you'll make a mistake and it's worth taking these precautions to avoid them reaching the Department of Homeland Security!

Finally, since 9/11, issues such as immigration have come ever more under the scrutiny of the DHS, including entering and leaving the US on the visa waiver programme. These rules have now been tightened up, particularly with the insistence from the US of electronically-readable passports. And sadly, the US being - for the most part - unused to acts of terrorism on its soil (unlike Europe), the reaction to visitors or immigrants with muslim-sounding names has occasionally been less than even-handed. As wrong as that is, right now it's something you may face when entering the US, and getting upset with the authorities - whilst you're right to - isn't going to help getting you past the immigration officer.

In the overwhelming number of cases though, US immigration officers do a difficult job in sometimes awkward circumstances whilst showing the right amount of respect.

PERMANENT RESIDENT CARD.
The first thing to be aware of is, getting a Green Card is most definitely not like the movie (with Gérard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell). Here are the three main categories:

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1. Marriage Petitions
Under immigration laws, spouses of U.S. citizens are considered 'immediate relatives', and are exempt from numerical quota limits. In plain English, marrying a U.S. citizen is THE fast track to a sought after Green Card.

Here are the main methods under the Marriage Petition:

A. If you marry in the U.S.
The procedure will go something like this: The U.S. citizen [ie: your new wife or husband] must submit a visa petition - to the appropriate INS Service Center. Or, you can download the I-129F form directly. It's to prove that the marriage is legitimate, and not simply for the foreign-born spouse to obtain a Green Card. The cost for this filing is currently $190.

Meanwhile, the foreign-born spouse - you - should submit an application for Adjustment of Status, which is the application for a Green Card. Or download the I-485 pdf-based form directly. The current cost for this filing is $325.

B. If you marry outside the U.S.
The process is roughly the same except that the foreign-born spouse - you - must usually remain in the UK until you obtain a Green Card.

Once approved, you will contacted by the National Visa Center. Inside the package are various documents which must be presented at the interview at the US embassy in England (these include: passport, police record clearance, results of medical examinations, etc.). The package also includes a biographic data request which must be completed, signed and forwarded beforehand. Usually, you will interview and be granted a visa in 3-6 months.

C. Conditional Residence
If your marriage is less than two years old when you become a permanent resident, the Green Card will expire after a two-year period. Both you and your wife or husband must submit a joint petition to remove the two-year condition within the 90-day period immediately preceding the end of the two year period. To file the relevant papers, you can download the Removal of Conditions pdf form. The current cost for the filing is $275. You will receive an official Receipt Notice within 30-40 days which extends your Green Card for another year during this process.

Next page: Fiancé(e) Visas - the most common forms!

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