Visa Information

 
Once again we would like to publish some questions which we receive daily from our customers. These questions are answered by our counselors of the visa department. All our counselors have a long experience with immigration law and dispose of a great knowledge in the current visa - regulations.
Please note that the given answers cannot automatically be applied to your own situation.

The answers cannot replace a personal counseling and no responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information.

Please let us know how we can assist you. We will react to your personal counseling wishes as flexible as possible.
Please click on the following link and enter your questions and we will get back to you as soon as possible: http://www.green-card.com/Visa-Services/request.html

Your Question

I have already won a green card with The American Dream. Meanwhile I did marry and would like to apply for a green card for my wife, as well.

Our Answer:

We are glad about you winning the green card via The American Dream. Since you married after receiving your green card (the interview appointment) your wife won't profit from your green card win directly. She can either play the lottery herself or apply for a family reunion. Last mentioned procedure usually takes longer than the green card win via the lottery. The application for your wife has to be handed in on behalf of yourself. At Right now it takes about 6-12 months, until the application is being dealt with. You have to add some additional time until it is successfully processed. To review the latest status of the waiting period, click on the "Family-Sponsored Preferences" under section "2a" in the following link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/bulletin_1360.html

Your Question:

Is it possible to combine individual visa-categories? I am interested in taking part in a four months long language school and in travelling through the USA for another five months shortly after.

Our answer:

In general it is possible! You are able to apply for a F-1 visa (language school) and a B-2 visa (tourist) at the same time. But you should consider that if you enter the USA with a F-1 visa, your status will change to an F-1 status. Right after finishing the language school, you will have to use your B-2 visa, which requires either an application for an adjustment/change of status within the USA at the USCIS or a departure to re-enter the USA with your B-2 visa to obtain the B-2 status.

Your Question:

I am worried to participate in the green card lottery, because I am afraid to be registered as a potential immigrant and to face problems at the border control or while applying for a non-immigrant-visa.

Our answer:

You do not have to worry about any detraction by the green card application. All your personal information will only be available to the USCIS AFTER winning the lottery. As you might know you are never asked for a green card lottery participation on a visa application sheet, which proves that these data are not relevant to the USCIS.

Your question:

Our 18-years old daughter applied for a B-2 visa to visit her aunt in the USA for 10 months. The visa has been denied due to unsatisfactory, traceable bonds to Germany. Now we are planning on travelling to the USA for two weeks together with the whole family. Is it possible for our daughter to travel using the Visa Waiver Program? Will it be necessary to apply for a visa?

Our Answer:

Unfortunately it occurs pretty often that B-2 visa applications of young applicants are refused. Theoretically a visa application shouldn't interfere with the Visa Waiver Program- which means: a denial shouldn't affect the visa-free entrance. However, practically considered- it might cause a problem, since an ESTA acceptance has to be granted up front. (http://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/)
While filling in the ESTA application, your daughter will be asked about former denied visas.
Since a truthful answer is required, your daughter has to choose the "YES", which will lead to a denial of the ESTA application (99%). That denial forces you to apply for the B-2 visa again.
Even though the ESTA application should be accepted, we would recommend applying for the B-2 visa, to avoid any problems entering the USA.
Please keep in mind that an ESTA application fee of 14 $ is payable since September, 8th 2010 (only 4$ handling fee in case the application will be denied).