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| IMMIGRATION TERMS AND DEFINITIONS |
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The following information may be helpful to understand some of the terms and definitions that
are commonly used in U.S. Immigration documents. The list below is general and is not meant
to be a substitute for having your immigration issue or question answered by a professional
immigration specialist. For legal advise, contact an attorney specializing in immigration law.
Another useful resource is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
website, which has a glossary of immigration terms.
Adjustment of Status - The change from nonimmigrant to Lawful Permanent Resident
Advance Parole - Document required to leave the U.S. while adjustment to lawful permanent
resident is pending
Affidavit of Support - Signed and notarized document which makes sponsor financially
responsible for the beneficiary
AILA - " The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of
immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration
law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance
the professional development of its members. AILA Member attorneys represent U.S. families
seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking
talent from the global marketplace" AILA website
AOS - Adjustment of Status (the process to become a Green Card Holder / Permanent Resident)
Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) - Card stamped by INS when you arrive, shows how long you can
stay in the United States. It is a small white card.
ASC - Application Support Center
BCIS - Stands for "Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services." This name is no longer used.
The current name is "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services" or USCIS.
BIA - Board of Immigrant Appeals
Change of Status - The switch from one visa type for another.
CIS - "Citizenship and Immigration Services" -- shorter version of BCIS or USCIS.
CSC - California Service Center
DHS - Department of Homeland Security
DOL - Department of Labor
DOS - Department of State
E Visa - Visa for investors and traders.
EB-1 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens of extraordinary ability.
EB-2 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with advanced degrees or exceptional
ability.
EB-3 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with bachelor's degrees. Most
immigrants become residents through this category.
EOIR - Executive Office of Immigration Review
F-1 - Student Visa.
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Green Card - Document showing lawful permanent residence.
H-1B - Visa for temporary skilled workers.
H-1B Cap - Annual limit on number of H-1B visas issued (Currently 195,000).
H-4 - visa for family members of H-1B visa holder.
INA - Immigration and Nationality Act
IMMIGRATION LAWYER: A Lawyer who specializes in immigration and naturalization law issues
pertaining to immigrants and their residency status in the United States.
INS - Stands for "Immigration and Naturalization Service." This was the immigration processing
and enforcement bureau before the Department of Homeland Security was created. The current
immigration processing and enforcement bureau is called the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, or USCIS. The USCIS is a part of the Department of Homeland Security.
IRS - Internal Revenue Service
ISD - Immigrant Services Division
J-1 - Visa for doctors and researcher- usually tied to some sort of research grant or exchange
program.
L Visa - Visa for employees transferred from foreign office to U.S. office
Labor Condition Application (LCA) - Document indicating the prevailing wage in an area
Labor Certification - involved process through which the U.S. Department of Labor gives
authorization for an alien to immigrate.
MSC - Formerly the "Missouri Service Center" but now called the "National Benefits Center" or NBC.
NBC - National Benefits Center (formerly the "Missouri Service Center").
National Interest Waiver (NIW) - Immigrant visa for outstanding aliens who are in the top of their
field.
NSC - Nebraska Service Center
NPRM - Notice of Proposed Rule Making
O-1 Visa - Visa for highly acclaimed individual with extraordinary ability in the Sciences, Education,
Business, or Athletics.
O-2 Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the O-1 visa holder
OPP - Office of Policy and Programs
P-1 Visa - Visa for entertainers and athletes
P-2 Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the P-1 visa holder, as well as entertainers
and athletes admitted through a reciprocal exchange program and their staff.
Practical Training - One year work authorization for F-1 students who have terminated studies
Priority Date - Date assigned to aliens for processing of green card. The INS will not process an
immigrant petition until the date is current.
RFE - Request for Evidence. This is a letter the INS uses to request additional information on a
pending case.
SSA - Social Security Administration
TN Visa - Visa for temporary workers authorized under schedule 2 of NAFTA
TSC (two acronyms) - Texas Service Center OR Terrorist Screening Center
USCIS - Stands for "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services." The current immigration benefits
processing and enforcement entity of the United States.
VSC - Vermont Service Center
Work Authorization Card - Document which authorizes employment. Obtained through
concurrently with or after an adjustment of status is filed. It may be renewed at one year intervals
while the application for permanent residency is pending.
OFFICE LOCATION:
8300 North Hayden, Suite # 207, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258; Phone: 480-551-7020.
are commonly used in U.S. Immigration documents. The list below is general and is not meant
to be a substitute for having your immigration issue or question answered by a professional
immigration specialist. For legal advise, contact an attorney specializing in immigration law.
Another useful resource is the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
website, which has a glossary of immigration terms.
Adjustment of Status - The change from nonimmigrant to Lawful Permanent Resident
Advance Parole - Document required to leave the U.S. while adjustment to lawful permanent
resident is pending
Affidavit of Support - Signed and notarized document which makes sponsor financially
responsible for the beneficiary
AILA - " The American Immigration Lawyers Association is the national association of
immigration lawyers established to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration
law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance
the professional development of its members. AILA Member attorneys represent U.S. families
seeking permanent residence for close family members, as well as U.S. businesses seeking
talent from the global marketplace" AILA website
AOS - Adjustment of Status (the process to become a Green Card Holder / Permanent Resident)
Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) - Card stamped by INS when you arrive, shows how long you can
stay in the United States. It is a small white card.
ASC - Application Support Center
BCIS - Stands for "Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services." This name is no longer used.
The current name is "United States Citizenship and Immigration Services" or USCIS.
BIA - Board of Immigrant Appeals
Change of Status - The switch from one visa type for another.
CIS - "Citizenship and Immigration Services" -- shorter version of BCIS or USCIS.
CSC - California Service Center
DHS - Department of Homeland Security
DOL - Department of Labor
DOS - Department of State
E Visa - Visa for investors and traders.
EB-1 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens of extraordinary ability.
EB-2 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with advanced degrees or exceptional
ability.
EB-3 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with bachelor's degrees. Most
immigrants become residents through this category.
EOIR - Executive Office of Immigration Review
F-1 - Student Visa.
FBI - Federal Bureau of Investigation
Green Card - Document showing lawful permanent residence.
H-1B - Visa for temporary skilled workers.
H-1B Cap - Annual limit on number of H-1B visas issued (Currently 195,000).
H-4 - visa for family members of H-1B visa holder.
INA - Immigration and Nationality Act
IMMIGRATION LAWYER: A Lawyer who specializes in immigration and naturalization law issues
pertaining to immigrants and their residency status in the United States.
INS - Stands for "Immigration and Naturalization Service." This was the immigration processing
and enforcement bureau before the Department of Homeland Security was created. The current
immigration processing and enforcement bureau is called the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services, or USCIS. The USCIS is a part of the Department of Homeland Security.
IRS - Internal Revenue Service
ISD - Immigrant Services Division
J-1 - Visa for doctors and researcher- usually tied to some sort of research grant or exchange
program.
L Visa - Visa for employees transferred from foreign office to U.S. office
Labor Condition Application (LCA) - Document indicating the prevailing wage in an area
Labor Certification - involved process through which the U.S. Department of Labor gives
authorization for an alien to immigrate.
MSC - Formerly the "Missouri Service Center" but now called the "National Benefits Center" or NBC.
NBC - National Benefits Center (formerly the "Missouri Service Center").
National Interest Waiver (NIW) - Immigrant visa for outstanding aliens who are in the top of their
field.
NSC - Nebraska Service Center
NPRM - Notice of Proposed Rule Making
O-1 Visa - Visa for highly acclaimed individual with extraordinary ability in the Sciences, Education,
Business, or Athletics.
O-2 Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the O-1 visa holder
OPP - Office of Policy and Programs
P-1 Visa - Visa for entertainers and athletes
P-2 Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the P-1 visa holder, as well as entertainers
and athletes admitted through a reciprocal exchange program and their staff.
Practical Training - One year work authorization for F-1 students who have terminated studies
Priority Date - Date assigned to aliens for processing of green card. The INS will not process an
immigrant petition until the date is current.
RFE - Request for Evidence. This is a letter the INS uses to request additional information on a
pending case.
SSA - Social Security Administration
TN Visa - Visa for temporary workers authorized under schedule 2 of NAFTA
TSC (two acronyms) - Texas Service Center OR Terrorist Screening Center
USCIS - Stands for "U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services." The current immigration benefits
processing and enforcement entity of the United States.
VSC - Vermont Service Center
Work Authorization Card - Document which authorizes employment. Obtained through
concurrently with or after an adjustment of status is filed. It may be renewed at one year intervals
while the application for permanent residency is pending.
OFFICE LOCATION:
8300 North Hayden, Suite # 207, Scottsdale, Arizona 85258; Phone: 480-551-7020.