NOTE: The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) no longer exists. The INS was divided into three separate agencies under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is the agency that determines immigration benefits.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deals with immigration enforcement issues within the United States.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles immigration screening at the U.S. Border.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

The USCIS website provides forms, help guides, statistics, and information on obtaining immigration benefits. Most of the former useful content provided on the former INS website is now on the USCIS website. Click here for specific links to information on the USCIS website.

Administrative Decisions: USCIS administrative decisions on various visa categories.
Adoption: Information on adopting children from other countries.
Advance Parole and Reentry Permits: Information about applying for permission to travel internationally.
Asylum: Eligibility and application information for asylum.
Case Status: Online case status information by typing in your receipt number.
Customer Service: Contact information for USCIS, including a toll-free hotline.
Employer Information: Information for employers on I-9 verification, premium processing, temporary workers and other issues.
Employer Information Bulletins: Newsletter on immigration matters and procedures of frequent concern to employers
Employer Sanctions: Provisions in the Immigration Reform and Control Act on employer sanctions.
Federal Register: Immigration-related items in the Federal Register, regarding new rules and regulations.
Fingerprints: Information on fingerprinting and FBI criminal background checks, required for some immigration benefits.
Forms: Current forms and filing fees, available for download in PDF format.
Freedom of Information Act Requests: Address and process for requesting immigration records.
Green Card or Permanent Residency: Directions for applying for permanent residency.
I-9 Employer Handbook: Guide for employers on completing the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification Form.
Immigration and Nationality Act : Full text of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the basic law on immigration into the United States
USCIS Communiqué: The internal magazine for the USCIS.
USCIS Offices: Contact information on the district offices, asylum offices, service centers and overseas offices.
Medical Exams: Answers to frequently asked questions about the medical examinations required for some immigration benefits.
NAFTA: Information on the North American Free Trade Agreement.
NAFTA Handbook: Guide for immigration inspectors in PDF format regarding the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Naturalization Information : Resources for people applying for U.S. citizenship, including a practice examination for the citizenship test.
Operations Instructions: Instructions for immigration officers that supplement and clarify statutes and regulations.
Non-Immigrant (Temporary Visitors) Options: Eligibility information and instructions on entering the United States temporarily.
Policy and Procedures Memos: Defining policies and procedures for the USCIS in a variety of areas.
Press Releases : Information released to the press by the USCIS.
Refugees: Information on eligibility and statistics for refugees to the United States.
Regulations : Full text of Volume 8 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
SAVE Verification Program: Information about the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program.
Statistics: Data on foreign nationals entering the United States for temporary or permanent residence.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS): Information regarding TPS status for people who are temporarily unable to return home because of armed conflict, environmental disasters, or other conditions.

Department of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for the safety and security of the United States.

U.S. Department of State:

The State Department manages the foreign relations of the United States with other countries, including the U.S. consulates and embassies abroad. Click here for links to specific areas of the Department of State website.

Adoption Information
Au Pair Programs
Border Crossing Cards
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: The agency that administers the J Visa Program
Consular Notification and Access: Guidelines for foreign consular officials dealing with individuals detained on criminal charges in the United States
Diversity Visa Lottery Information
E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor Countries
E-1/E-2 Treaties with Other Countries
Embassy and Consular Web Sites
Directory of American Consulate Officials
Foreign Affairs Manual
Forms
- Affidavit of Support Information
- Consular Application Forms
- J Exchange Visa Program Administrative Forms
- J Waiver Application Form
Human Rights Reports
Immigrant Visas
J Visa Information
- Case Status Checks Online
- Designated Federal Agency Officials for Interested Government Agency Waivers
- Processing Times
- Skills List
K-3 and V Visa Information
Key Officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
List of Visa Issuing Consular Posts
Non-Immigrant Visa Information
NVARS - Online appointment scheduling at U.S. embassies and consulates in Mexico and Canada
Passport Information
SEVIS Manual: For the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.
Student Visas
Visa Bulletin and Visa Bulletin Archives
Visa Reciprocity Schedule
Visa Revalidation Information
Visa Waiver Program Information
Citizenship Laws of the World: A survey of the citizenship laws of foreign nations, including their policy on dual citizenship.

Department of Labor:

The Department of Labor is required to approve applications for certain types of immigration benefits, including the Labor Condition Application for H-1B workers, and the Labor Certification Application for some employment-based permanent residency applications. Click here for links to specific sites on the DOL website.