Glossary
Immigration glossary
Plain-English definitions of every term, form, and abbreviation you'll run into while navigating the U.S. immigration system. 160 entries and growing.
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A
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Abandonment of LPR Status
Losing green card status by intentionally giving up your U.S. residence.
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AC21 Porting
Changing employers while an I-485 is pending without losing the underlying I-140.
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Adjustment of StatusAOS
Applying for a green card from inside the United States without leaving the country.
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Administrative Appeals OfficeAAO
The USCIS office that hears appeals of certain USCIS decisions.
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Administrative Processing
Additional review of a visa application by the State Department after the interview.
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Advance ParoleAP
Permission to leave and reenter the U.S. while your I-485 is pending.
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Affidavit of SupportI-864
Legally enforceable promise by a sponsor to financially support an intending immigrant.
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Aggravated Felony
A specific list of crimes that triggers severe immigration consequences regardless of state-law classification.
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Aging Out
Losing eligibility for an immigration benefit by turning 21 before a green card is issued.
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Alien Registration NumberA-Number
A unique 7-, 8-, or 9-digit number assigned by USCIS to identify a noncitizen.
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AOS
Abbreviation for Adjustment of Status.
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Asylee
A person granted asylum in the United States.
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Asylum
Protection for people inside the U.S. who fear persecution in their home country.
B
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B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for temporary business (B-1) or tourism (B-2) visits.
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Beneficiary
The person on whose behalf an immigration petition is filed.
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Biometrics
Fingerprints and photograph taken at a USCIS Application Support Center.
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Board of Immigration AppealsBIA
The highest administrative body for interpreting and applying U.S. immigration laws.
C
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Cancellation of Removal
A defense to deportation available to certain LPRs and long-term undocumented residents.
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CBP
U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency that inspects people entering the U.S.
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Certificate of Citizenship
A document issued by USCIS to people who derived or acquired U.S. citizenship.
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Certificate of Naturalization
The document issued at the naturalization ceremony as proof of U.S. citizenship.
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Change of StatusCOS
Changing from one nonimmigrant status to another while remaining in the U.S.
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Child Status Protection ActCSPA
A law that protects certain immigrant children from "aging out" when they turn 21.
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Civil Surgeon
A USCIS-designated doctor authorized to perform the immigration medical exam (Form I-693).
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Conditional Permanent ResidentCPR
A two-year green card issued through marriage or EB-5 investment.
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Consular Officer
A U.S. State Department officer who interviews visa applicants abroad.
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Consular Processing
Applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
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Crime Involving Moral TurpitudeCIMT
A category of crime that triggers immigration consequences.
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Cross-Chargeability
Claiming a spouse or parent's country of birth to avoid a backlogged category.
D
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Dates for Filing
The earlier of the two Visa Bulletin charts — sets when you may submit an adjustment of status.
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Deferred Action
Administrative decision to defer removal of a noncitizen for a specific period.
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Deferred Action for Childhood ArrivalsDACA
Discretionary protection from deportation for certain people brought to the U.S. as children.
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Department of LaborDOL
The U.S. agency that administers labor certification (PERM) for employment-based green cards.
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Derivative Beneficiary
A spouse or unmarried child under 21 who can immigrate with the principal beneficiary.
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DHS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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DOS
U.S. Department of State.
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Dual Intent
A doctrine permitting some nonimmigrants to also have an intent to immigrate.
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DV LotteryDiversity Visa
Annual green card lottery for natives of low-admission countries.
E
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EAD
Employment Authorization Document — the USCIS work permit.
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EB-1
Employment-based first preference: priority workers.
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EB-2
Employment-based second preference: advanced-degree professionals and exceptional ability.
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EB-2 NIW
EB-2 National Interest Waiver — self-petition for advanced-degree professionals.
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EB-3
Employment-based third preference: skilled workers, professionals, and other workers.
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EB-4
Employment-based fourth preference: special immigrants.
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EB-5
Employment-based fifth preference: investor visas.
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ESTA
Electronic System for Travel Authorization for Visa Waiver Program travelers.
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Executive Office for Immigration ReviewEOIR
The DOJ agency that operates the immigration courts and Board of Immigration Appeals.
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Expedite Request
A request asking USCIS to process a case faster due to specific qualifying circumstances.
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Extraordinary Ability
The EB-1A standard for individuals at the very top of their field.
F
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F1 Preference
Family-based first preference: unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of U.S. citizens.
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F2A Preference
Family-based: spouses and unmarried children (under 21) of lawful permanent residents.
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F2B Preference
Family-based: unmarried sons and daughters (21+) of lawful permanent residents.
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F3 Preference
Family-based: married sons and daughters of U.S. citizens.
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F4 Preference
Family-based: brothers and sisters of adult U.S. citizens.
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Federal Bureau of InvestigationFBI
The U.S. law enforcement agency that conducts background checks for USCIS cases.
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Fee Waiver
A waiver of USCIS filing fees for low-income applicants who file Form I-912.
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Final Action Date
The Visa Bulletin cutoff for when a green card can actually be issued.
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Form AR-11
Alien's Change of Address Card.
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Form I-129F
Petition for Alien Fiancé(e) — starts the K-1 visa process.
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Form I-130A
Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.
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Form I-134
Declaration of Financial Support — used for nonimmigrant cases.
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Form I-212
Application for Permission to Reapply for Admission After Removal.
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Form I-290B
Notice of Appeal or Motion (USCIS).
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Form I-360
Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant.
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Form I-526E
Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor (EB-5).
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Form I-539
Application to Extend or Change Nonimmigrant Status.
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Form I-601
Application for Waiver of Grounds of Inadmissibility.
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Form I-601A
Application for Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver.
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Form I-693
Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
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Form I-730
Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition.
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Form I-821
Application for Temporary Protected Status.
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Form I-821D
Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
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Form I-864
Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA.
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Form I-90
Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card.
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Form I-907
Request for Premium Processing Service.
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Form I-912
Request for Fee Waiver.
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Form I-918
Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status.
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Form I-94 Arrival/Departure RecordI-94
CBP record of a noncitizen's admission and authorized period of stay in the U.S.
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Form N-565
Application for Replacement Naturalization/Citizenship Document.
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Form N-600
Application for Certificate of Citizenship.
G
H
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H-1B Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for specialty occupation workers requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
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H-4 Dependent Visa
Nonimmigrant status for spouses and unmarried children under 21 of H-1B workers.
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Household Member
A relative whose income can be combined with the sponsor's to meet the I-864 threshold.
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Humanitarian Parole
Discretionary permission to enter the U.S. for urgent humanitarian reasons.
I
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I-130
Petition for Alien Relative — the family-based immigrant petition.
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I-131
Application for Travel Document — used for advance parole and reentry permits.
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I-140
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker — the employment-based immigrant petition.
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I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.
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I-589
Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal.
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I-751
Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence.
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I-765
Application for Employment Authorization.
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ICE
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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Immediate Relative
Spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent of a U.S. citizen — uncapped and not subject to Visa Bulletin.
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INA
Immigration and Nationality Act — the main federal immigration law.
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INA §245(i)
A grandfathered provision letting certain people adjust status despite unlawful entry.
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INA §245(k)
A provision letting certain employment-based applicants forgive short status violations.
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Inadmissibility
Legal grounds that prevent a noncitizen from entering or obtaining status in the U.S.
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Individual Taxpayer Identification NumberITIN
A 9-digit IRS-issued number used by noncitizens who cannot obtain an SSN.
J
K
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K-1 Fiancé(e) VisaK-1
Visa allowing the foreign fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen to enter the U.S. and marry within 90 days.
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K-3 Spouse VisaK-3
Nonimmigrant visa for the foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen with a pending I-130.
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Kentucky Consular CenterKCC
The State Department center that processes Diversity Visa cases and certain other visa work.
L
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L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for executives, managers, and specialized employees transferring within a multinational company.
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Labor Certification
A DOL determination that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position offered to a foreign worker.
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Lawful Permanent ResidentLPR
The legal term for a green card holder.
M
N
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N-400
Application for Naturalization — the U.S. citizenship application.
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National Interest WaiverNIW
A waiver of the EB-2 labor certification requirement for work in the national interest.
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Naturalization
The process by which a green card holder becomes a U.S. citizen.
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Naturalization Ceremony
The public ceremony at which approved naturalization applicants take the Oath of Allegiance.
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Nonimmigrant Intent
A requirement to show you intend to return home after temporary stay in the U.S.
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Notice of Intent to DenyNOID
A USCIS notice that the agency plans to deny a case unless the applicant overcomes specific concerns.
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NVC
National Visa Center — the DOS unit that processes approved immigrant petitions before consular interviews.
O
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O-1 Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
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Oath of Allegiance
The oath taken at a naturalization ceremony to become a U.S. citizen.
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Office of Foreign Labor CertificationOFLC
The DOL office that processes labor certifications and prevailing wage determinations.
P
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Panel Physician
A doctor approved by a U.S. consulate to perform medical exams for immigrant visa applicants abroad.
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Parole in PlacePIP
A grant of parole to someone already physically inside the U.S.
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Parolee
A noncitizen permitted to enter the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.
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PERM
Program Electronic Review Management — the labor certification process for most EB-2 and EB-3 cases.
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Petitioner
The person or employer who files a petition on behalf of a foreign national.
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Premium Processing
A USCIS service offering expedited processing in exchange for an additional fee.
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Prevailing Wage
The DOL-determined wage paid to similarly employed workers in a specific occupation and area.
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Principal Beneficiary
The main person named in an immigration petition.
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Priority Date
Your place in line for a visa number, based on when your petition was filed.
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Priority Worker
An EB-1 immigrant visa beneficiary — extraordinary ability, outstanding professor, or executive.
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Prosecutorial DiscretionPD
Government decisions to focus enforcement resources on certain cases and not others.
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Public Charge
A ground of inadmissibility for applicants likely to depend on government assistance.
R
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REAL ID
A federal identification standard for state-issued IDs used to board domestic flights.
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Reentry Permit
A travel document allowing an LPR to remain abroad for up to 2 years without losing status.
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Refugee
A person granted protection from outside the U.S. before entering.
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Removal Proceedings
Immigration court hearings to determine whether a noncitizen must leave the U.S.
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RFE
Request for Evidence — USCIS letter asking for more documents before deciding.
S
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Social Security AdministrationSSA
The federal agency that issues Social Security numbers to eligible noncitizens.
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Social Security NumberSSN
A 9-digit number issued by SSA used for U.S. employment, taxes, and credit.
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Special Immigrant Juvenile StatusSIJ
Path to a green card for immigrant children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned.
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Sponsor
A person — usually a U.S. citizen or LPR — who agrees to financially support an immigrant.
T
U
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U Nonimmigrant StatusU Visa
Visa for victims of certain crimes who cooperate with law enforcement.
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Unlawful PresenceULP
Time spent in the U.S. after a period of authorized stay has expired or without admission.
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USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
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USCIS Receipt Number
A 13-character identifier assigned to each USCIS case (e.g., MSC2090123456).
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USCIS Service Center
A USCIS facility that processes paperwork only — never visited in person.
V
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VAWA Self-PetitionVAWA
Self-petition path to a green card for abuse victims of U.S. citizen or LPR family members.
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Visa Bulletin
Monthly DOS publication showing which priority dates are eligible to move forward.
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Visa Overstay
Remaining in the U.S. beyond the period authorized by the I-94.
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Visa Retrogression
When a category's priority date moves backward in the Visa Bulletin.
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Visa Spillover
The reallocation of unused visa numbers from one category to another.
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Visa Stamp
A travel document placed in a passport by a U.S. consulate authorizing travel to a U.S. port of entry.
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Visa Waiver ProgramVWP
A program letting nationals of designated countries enter the U.S. for tourism or business without a visa.
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Voluntary Departure
Permission to leave the U.S. on your own without a removal order on your record.