Introduction
There are several immigration challenges that you have to sail through while immigrating to the US. They include the rigorous process of immigration, finding a sponsor, paperwork, document readiness, visa interviews, etc. If you are planning to settle in the US either for the short term or permanently, you need to prepare yourself to overcome all these hurdles to obtain a visa successfully.
In this blog, we have covered the challenges immigrants face while entering the USA to pursue higher education, find employment, or other purposes. We have tried to shed some light on immigration issues after individuals settle in the USA. For instance, adjusting to language, life & culture, employment limitations, and maintaining immigration status.
So, keep reading to stay prepared for potential immigration issues you might face while immigrating to the United States.
Immigration Challenges Before you Move to the US
Immigrating to the USA is a challenging task as it involves various things. Let’s look at them one by one.
The Rigorous process of immigration
The immigration process is long and complicated, and it can take several months to years, depending on the individual case. The first step in the immigration process is to determine what type of visa you need to enter the US. Depending on the purpose of your move, you may need an immigrant visa, a nonimmigrant visa, or an asylum visa.
Once you have determined the appropriate visa type, you must complete the necessary paperwork, including forms, educational certificates, evidence of financial resources, an offer letter, etc.
Then you must meet all the requirements to apply for a visa outlined by the US government and find a sponsor willing to fill out the petition on your behalf.
For example, if you are applying for asylum, you must give evidence that you have suffered persecution or have a well-founded fear of persecution due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
If you are applying for a work visa like H-1B, you must have an offer letter from a US employer, a bachelor’s degree, and be eligible under specialty occupation.
If you are applying for a student visa, you need to take admission into SEVP-certified US colleges.
Depending on your reasons for coming to the US, you may qualify for permanent residency (green card), temporary visas, Asylum, or other visa types.
Finding a sponsor
A sponsor is someone who is willing to perform some duties, including filing a petition on your behalf and promising to financially support you when you move to the US. It’s important to note that if you are applying for a family-based visa, sponsors are usually family members (such as parents, siblings, or children) already legally present in the U.S. For a work visa like H-1B, your employer will act as a sponsor. For a student visa like F-1, your relatives or parents need to sponsor the student. Any US college/institute may sponsor the visa if you earn a scholarship.
While finding a sponsor is challenging, it is an essential part of the process, and you must find someone who is willing to sponsor you before you can apply for the visa.
Paperwork and documentation readiness
You will need some additional documents such as bank statements, financial documentation, education certificates, or proof of previous employment, depending on the type of visa. For example, if you are applying for a work visa like H-1B, you will need to provide a job offer letter from your employer and meet certain eligibility requirements set by USCIS. It is highly recommended that you seek professional assistance and employ top-notch immigration software while completing and filing all the paperwork.
Wait times & lack of transparency
The wait times and lack of transparency are some of the most significant immigrant problems that you will encounter while going through the immigration process. Since several USCIS personnel and officers are involved in the process, the time it will take for your case to be approved may be unpredictable.
The wait times vary greatly depending on the type of visa you’re applying for, where you’re from, and other factors. For example, those seeking a green card or permanent residency through marriage will likely have shorter wait times than those trying to immigrate for work, study, or reunite with family.
Although it is difficult to predict wait times, there are a few steps you can take to ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible.
- Make sure all paperwork is accurate and complete before submitting.
- Double-check that you have included all the required documents to avoid RFE.
- Finally, keep a detailed record of your conversations with USCIS representatives and copies of all forms you’ve submitted.
Due to backlogs in processing centers, wait times can vary from weeks to months, depending on the individual case. The waits are exceptionally long for people attempting to immigrate from China, Mexico, India, and the Philippines, due to the high demand from those countries. During the pandemic, the wait period to get a visa interview was about 6 months in India.
Getting past visa interviews
When it comes to visa interviews, preparation is key. Ensure you have all the required documents to back up any statements you make. This includes passport, birth certificates, address proof, proof of financial resources, offer letter, admission letter, marriage certificates (if applicable), and any other relevant documents.
Packing for your journey
Once you get the notification for your visa approval, you can start packing for your journey and start your dream journey of living in the US. There are strict restrictions on the amount of baggage and the weight you carry. Check all the airlines’ guidelines and pack sensibly.
Immigration Challenges in the US After you Move
You may face some immigration challenges after you settle in the US. Let’s take a closer look at some of them.
Adjusting to language, life & culture
When you move to any other country, it’s obvious you will have to face the language barrier that could lead to difficulty in socializing at the workplace, finding jobs, buying groceries, traveling to different places, etc. You may not be familiar with the culture and traditions followed. Give yourself some time to read and know the local festivals and traditions. However, as time passes by, you will be surprised how many things you have learned and mingled with people that help you resonate with the life and culture of the US.
Employment limitations
You may face challenges in finding a new job during the initial days. Since you do not have as many social networks as you have in your own country, you may need to put extra effort into landing a new job. However, several US communities and organizations will help you solve your employment problems. You may have to enroll for a course to be eligible for jobs in the US too.
Maintaining immigration status
Once you get your visa status, it’s essential to maintain your immigration status at all times. For instance, if you are on an H-1B visa, you must be careful while switching jobs. On an H-1B, you cannot stay in the US without a job. You must ensure you are not involved in any activities that hamper your immigration status.
Summing Up!
We hope this blog helped you better understand the immigration challenges you might face while immigrating to the US. The only thing you need to take care of is going through the immigration process with critical attention and diligence. You can take the help of our immigration software, which has AI and ML capabilities, to build effective petitions to increase the chances of your visa approvals. The platform enables you to collaborate with petitioners and attorneys to create compelling visa stories.
Reach out to us for a demo today at sales@imagility.co
Call us at +1 603 782 4622/+1 617 865 6588.
For more info, visit us at www.imagility.co
