Visas & residence

Tourist entry does not permit indefinite living or work. Employment, study and immigration grounds require separate eligibility.

Documents for this route

• Establish the EB category and prepare Form I-140, normally filed by an employer; extraordinary-ability and NIW applicants may self-petition. The immigrant visa application follows when a visa is available.
• Passport, qualification, employment-history and family-relationship documents for the chosen category.
• Visitor status does not permit employment, ordinary study programs or permanent residence.
• For school and healthcare, bring immunization history, medical records, translated school documents and insurance evidence.

Order police certificates from the required countries. Check whether validity is measured from issue, entry or filing. Prepare birth, marriage and name-change records; check apostille or consular legalization, treaty exemptions and translation requirements. An apostille and a translation are different procedures.

Leave a tailored power of attorney with a trusted person: specify banks, property, document collection and representation. Confirm each institution will accept it, any substitution authority and expiry. Do not hand over banking passwords.

Public schooling depends on the address. Check district, daycare, family insurance and daily driving before renting.

Check each family member's residence, work and study rights separately. Children may need custody documents, the other parent's consent specifically to residence, school records and vaccination history. Pet preparation depends on departure, transit, airline and destination veterinary rules.