INS Passport Information

The INS provides immigration assistance.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) was absorbed into the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in 2003, along with the services it provided. These included immigrant visa authorizations, green card distribution, re-entry permits and refugee travel documents. The new INS, as a part of the DHS, also deals with immigration enforcement in the workplace and on the border.

New Immigrants

New immigrants are those who want to settle permanently in the United States. You can do this either by applying for an "immigrant visa" to be issued in your passport, or, a Green Card. New immigrants must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen. Many new immigrants receive their visas or Green Cards through family or employer sponsorships. After residing in the United States under asylum or refugee status for one year, you may also apply for permanent residency or an immigrant visa. Most immigrants must fill out an immigrant petition and wait for the appropriate visa to become available. As a part of the DHS, the INS requires that you pass admissibility standards set by the DHS.

Refugees

The INS defines refugees as "people outside of their country who are unable or unwilling to return home because they fear serious harm." Refugees who are seeking visas while at a port of entry to the U.S. or already in the country are called asylees. While this status is initially granted by the INS by applying for a visa, refugees residing in the United States for longer than one year are required to apply for a Green Card.

Green Cards

Green Cards, or Permanent Resident Cards, are issued to those who obtain the status of new immigrants in the United States. As a permanent resident, you must carry this card, which is the proof of your immigration status, with you instead of your foreign passport. Applicants for a Green Card must fill out an I-551 application and be sponsored by an employer or relative, have refugee status, or by filing an "immigrant petition."

Naturalization

Becoming a naturalized citizen solidifies your right to maintain permanent residence in the United States and receive all of the rights, responsibilities and privileges of citizenship. The naturalization process is possible after establishing five years of permanent residency, or three years, if you are married to a citizen. Naturalization entitles you to an United States passport and certificate of naturalization, which will replace your permanent residence card and negate the necessity for any more visa or Green Card applications.

Non-immigrant Visas

The INS grants non-immigrant visas to foreign passport holders intending to reside temporarily in the United States for tourism, study, business, work or medical reasons. Non-immigrants must comply with the National Security Entry-Exit Regulation System, which keeps track of non-immigrants in the United States. This usually requires an official registration at the port of entry into the U.S. Non-immigrants entering under the Visa-Waiver Program must register online for authorization prior to arriving.

References

• Travel State: Glossary of Visa Terms: INS
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement: Special Registration
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Regufees and Asylees
• Department of Homeland Security: Moving to the United States: A Guide to Naturalization
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: Green Card Eligibility