Moving to the United States is one of the most sought-after topics on social media these days! And the most questioned topic is how and how long it takes. Obviously, a move like this is not easy, especially to the United States, the preferred choice for Brazilians. However, it is a lengthy and somewhat complicated process. There are various options to obtain a residency visa, and each is quite specific according to the purpose, whether for business, work, study, or family.
All options involve steps, from filling out forms, petitions, required documentation, interviews, to obtaining the visa or Green Card. Everything is meticulously reviewed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This step takes a considerable amount of time in the process, as additional evidence and documents may be requested.
Once approved, depending on the case, different and no less complicated stages are reached. If the applicant is in another country and waiting to obtain the visa, they need to fulfill all the requirements for the interview at the U.S. consulate. This requires additional forms and documents. Immigration lawyer Ingrid Domingues McConville, with over 28 years of immigration experience, states that this is a stage that requires patience from candidates as anxiety increases. Even with the case approved, there is a possibility of denial in this new stage. Currently, the wait is longer due to the accumulation of previous years, which extends the processing time, concluding only when one sets foot on American soil.
When an applicant for a U.S. visa is already in the United States and requests an adjustment of status, the process, after approval, tends to be a bit faster, as it awaits the interview while completing the required procedures, such as biometric exams. This stage is also currently taking longer than usual due to the backlog of processes from previous years.
Regardless of the process, visa type, or a change of status, the important thing is to be well-informed and well-advised by a competent professional in the field of American immigration. There is much information circulated on social media, blogs, YouTube videos, etc., which may not always be reliable. Hence, the importance of checking sources, dates, and names at the very least. Consulting a lawyer in the field is the first step to prepare for a safe and efficient move.
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- Ingrid Domingues-McConville founded DM VISA LAW – Domingues McConville, P.A. in 1995. She has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1995 and a member of the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Ingrid earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, and her law degree from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, Ohio. With 28 years of experience in Immigration Law, Ingrid has represented clients throughout the United States and worldwide, handling both business and family immigration matters. She has assisted companies and individuals in obtaining visas and permanent residency in the United States. Ingrid plays a significant leadership role in the Brazilian community in South Florida and across the United States, providing much-needed legal guidance and advice.