Definitions of Common Immigration Terms & Forms

Passport

A formal identity document issued by a national government that identifies an individual as a citizen of a particular country. This document requests permission for the bearer to be permitted to enter and pass through other countries. Passports are connected with the right of legal protection abroad and the right to enter one's country of citizenship. Passports contain the holder's photograph, signature, date of birth, nationality, and sometimes other means of individual identification. A passport is usually necessary for international travel. These documents may be stamped and sealed with visas issued by the host country authorizing entry.

Visa

The visa is an endorsement made in a passport that allows the bearer to enter a particular country. A visa indicates the purpose of a nonimmigrant’s visit to the country. It is valid for a specified period of time and a specified number of entries. The validity period of the visa stamp relates only to the period during which it may be used for admission into a particular country.

A person may have a valid and legal immigration status without having a valid visa in their passport. Although the person may have extended their current status, transferred, or changed their status and thus remains in lawful status while in the U.S., they often will not have a “entry” visa valid for admission into the U.S. If one’s visa is no longer valid or they have changed status in the U.S., the only way to obtain a new visa for travel is to apply at a U.S. consulate abroad the next time one travels. There is currently no way to apply for a visa inside the U.S.

Form DS-2019

The DS-2019 or Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) is needed to obtain an entry visa at the US embassy or Consular Office in the home country of a nonresident alien as a sponsor designated by the US Department of State. Exchange Visitors may remain in the United States for the duration of their valid status listed on the DS-2019.

Form I-797

This form is issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to notify a petitioner of the action taken on behalf of a beneficiary. The petitioner may be an employer filing on behalf of a nonimmigrant worker or the nonimmigrant who filed on behalf of a family member or for themselves. Form I-797C serves as a receipt notice acknowledging receipt of an application, Form I-797A serves as a Notice of Decision on the application, and the I-797B is used for visa issuance at a US consulate or port of entry.

Form I-20

The I-20 or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student is issued from a school. The school attests to several facts, including a belief that the nonresident is a student who intends to pursue an academic program to completion. This form is used to obtain a US entry visa, but does not guarantee that a visa will be issued nor does it imply that the non-immigrant is maintaining or has maintained student status.

Form I-94

The Arrival/Departure Record or I-94 is a small card that all nonimmigrants receive and complete at their port-of-entry. The I-94 shows the date of arrival in the U.S and includes the date in which their authorized period of stay expires. The form must be completed and presented to an U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) inspector who may ask questions about the purpose and length of stay, and the individuals residence abroad. When leaving the country, the 1-94 must be returned to a USCIS representative or authorized agent. An approved Form I-94 establishes that the nonimmigrant arrived in the country legally and has not stayed beyond the authorized period.

Form I-766

This form is know as an Employment Authorization Document and is commonly referred to as an EAD card. The card is issued by the USCIS as proof that an alien is authorized to work in the U.S. for a specified period of time. Nonimmigrant aliens who are temporarily in the U.S. may file a Form I-765; Application for Employment Authorization to request a Form I-766 (EAD card). See Work Permit.

Form I-551

The Permanent Resident Card is commonly known as a “green card”. Possession of a green card is evidence that the person has attained status as a lawful permanent resident with a right to live and work permanently in the United States.

Form DS-156

This U.S. Department of State form is completed by a person wishing to obtain permission and subsequent visa to enter the U.S. The Nonimmigrant Visa Application can be obtained on the U.S. Department of State's Visa Application Forms page.

Form I-485

This form is an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status and is submitted by an individual wishing to obtain permanent resident status. It is generally filed with supporting evidence, and may be filed in conjunction with several other applications or petitions. See Permanet Resident.