Glossary of Immigration Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

This page provides a brief description of terms used in immigration.  Just click on any term for a definition.

• Adjustment of Status

  The process through which foreign nationals apply for permanent resident status from within the United States as opposed to applying from abroad, which is referred to as consular processing.

• Alien

  A foreign national who is not a citizen of the United States. This includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders), temporary visa holders, and undocumented foreign nationals.

• Application

  Request for an immigration benefit (either temporary or permanent visa classification) filed by a foreign national.

• Asylum

  The status sought by a person in the United States with a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, if made to return to the country of nationality or last place of residence.  Asylees differ from refugees in that the asylee has already entered the country when they are trying to obtain status.  For more information, see the Asylum page.

• Change of Status

  The application for a change from any nonimmigrant visa classification to another nonimmigrant visa classification.

• Citizen

  Citizen refers to a national of a country, with the right to protection by that nation's government.  Countries define citizenship in various ways, including one's descent, place of birth, marriage or naturalization procedures.  In the United States, citizens are either citizens when they are born or become citizens through naturalization.

• Consular Processing

  Unlike adjustment of status, consular processing refers to the procedure in which foreign nationals apply for immigrant visas (that is, permanent resident status) at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States.

• DHS / Department of Homeland Security

  Abbreviation for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Homeland Security manages admission, authorized stays and other immigration related benefits, as well as other security issues in the United States. 

• Diversity Visa

  Also known as the "green card lottery" or "visa lottery."  Name given to the immigrant visa lottery program established by the Immigration Act of 1990 that makes available up to 50,000 immigrant visas per year to persons from states with low-admission rates to the United States.  This program is administered by the U.S. Department of State, which established the rules for the lottery and tracks the available visa numbers.  More information is available on our Diversity Lottery page.

• DOS / Department of State

  The Department of State issues visa stamps and conducts other U.S. diplomatic business abroad.

• DOL / Department of Labor

  The Department of Labor manages the wages and working conditions connected to the H-1B visa, and certifies labor certification applications for permanent residency.

• EAD / Employment Authorization Document

  Abbreviation for Employment Authorization Document.  The specific categories that are eligible for an Employment Authorization Document include asylees and asylum seekers, refugees, students seeking particular types of employment, applicants to adjust to permanent residence status, people in or applying for temporary protected status, fiancés of American citizens, and dependents of foreign government officials.

• Employer Sanctions

  Civil and criminal penalties imposed on employers and individuals who fail to properly complete and maintain the I-9 Employment Eligibility Form for their employees or who improperly employ foreign nationals not authorized to work in the United States.

• Employer Verification

  The process requiring employers to verify the identity and proper employment authorization of their employees by completing the Form I-9.

• Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

  The small white card which indicates the authorized period of stay for foreign nationals entering the United States. The Form I-94 is stapled into the passport. The Form I-94, not the visa in the passport, determines the time and the purpose of a foreign national's status.

• Green Card

  The popular name for the Alien Registration Receipt Card, which is given to individuals who become legal permanent residents of the United States.  While the card was once green, it is presently pink.  The card serves as an entry document, enabling permanent residents to return to the United States after temporary absences.  The card and the benefits of permanent residency are permanent, and cannot be lost unless you abandon your U.S. residence or commit certain types of crimes.  However, you must apply for a new, updated green card every ten years.

• Green card lottery

  See Diversity Lottery.

• H-1B

  The H-1B visa category is available for individuals employed in the United States in a "specialty occupation." A specialty occupation requires a bachelor's or higher degree in a specialized field of knowledge as a minimum for entry into the occupation. Specialty occupations include accounting, engineering, law, architecture, scientific research and many other types of jobs.

• H-1B Dependent Employer

  Employers who have a significant number or percentage of H-1B visa holders. H-1B dependent employers are therefore subject to additional requirements, particularly related to obtaining the required labor condition application. The following guidelines determine whether an employer is considered H-1B dependent:

  • Employers that have at least 51 employees: Dependent if H-1B workers make up at least 15% of its workforce.
  • Employers that have 26 to 50 employees: Dependent if it employs more than 12 H-1B workers.
  • Employers with 25 or fewer employees: Dependent if it employs more than 7 H-1B employees.
• Immigrant Visa

  The document issued by a consular officer outside of the United States to an eligible, permanent immigrant.  The immigrant visa permits entry into the United States as a permanent resident. 

• INA / Immigration and Nationality Act

  The Immigration and Nationality Act or INA is the primary law on immigration in the United States. 

• INS / Immigration and Naturalization Service

  Abbreviation of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service.  The INS was dissolved in March of 2003, and replaced with three agencies under the Department of Homeland Security.  The agency that is responsible for immigration benefits is the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service or USCIS.

• Labor Condition Application

  An application to the Department of Labor regarding employment of H-1B professionals.  The employer is required to attest that the H-1B employment will not adversely affect the wages and working conditions of similarly-employed U.S. workers.

• Labor Certification

  Labor Certification is the process through which the employer must recruit for the position and demonstrate that there are no qualified U.S. workers for the job.  This process is formally known as the Application for Alien Employment Certification.  Labor certification is required in most employment-based petitions for permanent residence.  The employee may work for the employer in a nonimmigrant visa category while the Labor Certification process is ongoing.

• Naturalization

  The process by which citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national.  In the United States, a foreign national must fulfill the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act, including continuous residence in the United States, an ability to read and speak English, a demonstrated knowledge of U.S. history and government, and good moral character. 

• Nonimmigrant Visa

  A temporary visa issued to a foreign national. Generally, U.S. Consular Officers outside of the United States initially issue nonimmigrant visas.  A visa does not guarantee admission into the United States, and an immigration inspector can deny entry if there is reason to believe that a particular individual is not eligible. The period of validity of a visa is not the same as the authorized period of temporary stay in the United States, which is indicated on the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

• Passport

  A travel document issued by the U.S. or a foreign government, including the bearer's date of birth, country of origin, identity, and nationality.

• Permanent Resident

  A non-U.S. citizen who has been given permission to live permanently in the United States.  Permanent residents are issued an identification document, often referred to as a "green card."  Permanent residents may leave and enter the United States without additional applications or permissions, but the individual's primary place of residence must be in the United States.

• Petition

  The request for a temporary or permanent immigration benefit filed by an employer or family member on behalf of a foreign national.

• Priority Date  

  The date on which you first entered the immigration application process.  Since only a limited number of green cards are issued each year, you may have to wait until a visa becomes available.  Your Priority Date marks your place in the waiting line, with others who filed similar petitions.  Each month the U.S. Department of State makes green cards available to all those who applied on or before a certain priority date.  You can get a green card only when your date comes up on the DOS list.

• Refugee

  A person that is unable or unwilling to return to their country of nationality because of a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.  Refugees apply for this status before coming to the United States.

• Request for Further Evidence (RFE)

  An RFE is a request by the Immigration Service or Department of Labor for additional documentation or information in support of an application or petition.

• Reduction in Recruitment (RIR)

  Fast-track method of processing an application for labor certification, where the employer demonstrates sustained and unsuccessful attempts to recruit qualified U.S. workers.

• SEVIS 

  Abbreviation for the Student Exchange Visitor Information System.  SEVIS is a computer-based system that requires institutions to report various data regarding students on F and M visas as well as exchange visitors on J visas.  Primary visa holders and their dependents in these visa classifications are required to report their home address, school registration information, and other data to their schools.

• U.S. Workers

  The definition includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, and temporary residents.  It does not include temporary visa holders such as Ls or Hs.

• USCIS

  The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services replaced the benefits section of the former Immigration and Naturalization Service ("INS").

• Visa

  A stamp placed in a passport by a U.S. consular officer outside of the United States. All U.S. visas serve as entry documents to the United States. Visas can be designated as either immigrant (permanent) or nonimmigrant (temporary).  Immigrant visas are issued to those who will live in the United States permanently.  Temporary visitors may receive nonimmigrant visas.

• Visa lottery

  See Diversity Lottery.

• Visa Waiver Program 
  • The Visa Waiver Program allows foreign nationals from certain countries to be admitted to the United States under limited conditions and for a limited time without first obtaining a visa.  This program permits nationals from designated countries to enter the United States for ninety (90) days or less as visitors for business or pleasure. 
    
    The following countries are presently participants in this program: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.  Some countries (currently Andorra, Belgium, Brunei, Liechtenstein, and Slovenia) are required to have machine-readable passports to take advantage of this program. 
• Work permit

  Under U.S. immigration law, there is no single document that serves as a "work permit." Certain nonimmigrant visa categories include limited employment authorization in the United States, as part of the visa status.  Certain other foreign nationals present in the United States may have the right to apply for an Employment Authorization Document ("EAD"), before they can accept employment in the United States.