Applying for a Visa in Kennewick

Whether you want to immigrate permanently to the United States or just visit briefly for tourism, business, or an educational opportunity, you will need a valid visa to enter the country lawfully at any port of entry. However, acquiring a visa can be a complicated process, especially if you are not sure what type of visa you need or what criteria would make you eligible to receive one.

Support from a knowledgeable visa attorney can make a huge difference every step of the way when applying for a visa in Kennewick. Once retained, your legal representative could not only ensure you apply for the correct visa and submit all necessary documentation, but they could also help resolve any issues that arise during application processing. Maximize your chances of getting a favorable response from U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services with the guidance of an experienced attorney.

Identifying the Right Visa Category

USCIS oversees dozens of different visas, each of which is meant for a particular type of applicant with slightly different qualifying criteria. Broadly, though, all visas fall into one of two main categories: immigrant and non-immigrant. The former type of visa is meant for people intending to reside in the U.S. permanently, while the latter is meant for short-term visits and generally expire after a set period of time.

The specific type of visa someone needs can sometimes affect the procedures they need to go through while applying for their visa in Kennewick. For example, people seeking immigrant visas through sponsorship by a family member will need their sponsor to file Form I-130 on their behalf, while prospective immigrants sponsored by employers would need that employer to file Form I-140 for them. Most non-immigrant visa applications, on the other hand, begin with the prospective visa recipient filing Form DS-160 online themselves.

What Does the Visa Application Process Look Like?

While there are some exceptions, as well as some visas that require special documentation and/or certifications, the process of applying for a non-immigrant visa in Kennewick or anywhere else is usually fairly straightforward. Once processing for an applicant’s Form DS-160 is complete, an applicant will generally—but not always—need to appear for a visa interview at their nearest U.S. consulate or embassy and potentially pay additional fees.

Applying for an immigrant visa is usually a much longer and more time-consuming process, most of which is the responsibility of the prospective immigrant’s sponsor, if they have one. Once the sponsor submits all necessary documentation—including an affidavit of support—and pays all necessary fees, the prospective visa recipient must file Form DS-260 online and submit various civil documents demonstrating their eligibility for the requested visa. The National Visa Center will then schedule them for an interview at a U.S. consulate or embassy.

A Skilled Kennewick Attorney Could Offer Guidance When Applying for a Visa

While the major components of the visa application process may initially appear straightforward, they can be difficult to complete in practice. Not to mention that each visa type works differently and may require a unique approach. Having professional guidance throughout this process can be vital not just to getting through an application efficiently, but also to giving you a fair shot at approval from USCIS.

Applying for a visa in Kennewick could be much easier with help from a seasoned attorney. Call today to schedule a consultation.