Migrating to the United States

IN GENERAL

The three principal ways to immigrate to the United States are: through a family relationship, through employment and through investment. In all cases, the immigration process requires a petition to be filed on the migrant. s behalf. The petition is usually filed in the United States through the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (U.S.C.I.S.) office having jurisdiction over the residence or employment area of the petitioner. After the petition is approved, it is forwarded to the consulate or embassy where the beneficiaries reside and where they will submit applications for their immigrant visas. The visas will allow them to enter the United States for permanent residence which will be evidenced by a "green card" issued by U.S.C.I.S.

There are numerical limits on the number of immigrant visas that can be issued in a single year. Priorities are based on the type of visa. The applicants place of birth also affects the process, as there are limits to the number of visas that can be issued per country. This means that in some visa categories there are waiting periods before an immigrant visa can be issued.

A fourth way to immigrate is under the immigrant diversity program, which allows for a lottery once a year.

Appointments are scheduled Monday through Wednesday after applicants notify the office they are ready to immigrate. They notify the office by sending to the U.S. Consulate General Sydney the Form DS-2001, which is included in a packet of instructions mailed to applicants after their petitions have been approved. Appointments are scheduled for dates one to two months after the receipt of Form DS-2001. If approved and assuming there are no other complications, the immigrant visa will be ready for collection the same day. The visa will be valid for six months from the date the visa was approved, although there are special circumstances that may limit the validity of a visa.

However, if on the day of the interview it is determined that the applicant needs to submit additional documentation, those additional documents must be mailed to this office.  He/she will also be required to include a pre-paid self-addressed 3kg Express Post envelope.  This envelope will be used to mail the visa to the applicant once it is issued.

Attorneys may accompany an applicant to the visa interview or participate in the preparation of the visa application.

Immigrant Visa inquiries:

• Email: sydneyiv@state.gov.
• Mail to: the Immigrant Visa Unit, U.S. Consulate General, MLC Centre Level 59, 19-29 Martin Place, Sydney NSW 2000.
• In person: at the U.S. Consulate General in Sydney, at the above address, on Thursdays only from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon.
• By fax: to U.S. Consulate General in Sydney at (02) 9373-9185.
• NOTE: All immigrant visa applications are processed at the U.S. Consulate in Sydney, regardless of where in Australia the applicant resides.  The Embassy in Canberra and the Consulates in Perth and Melbourne do not process immigrant or fiance(e) visa applications.