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FAQ Others

Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about other categories.

If you have more questions please contact us.

Yes, O-3 Visa holders may participate in educational activities, such as attending school or classes, provided that such activities do not include any paid employment.

Yes, the Visa petition can be signed by anyone who is authorized to sign such documents on behalf of the organization.

The timeline is usually about 4-6 months. You can check current processing times here.

The priority date is the date when you first note your intent of immigration to the U.S. government. For employment-based immigration, the priority date is the date an immigrant petition (Form I-140) was filed with the USCIS. The priority date is not established until the USCIS approves the immigrant petition.

What happens if my I-140 is approved but my priority date is not current?

If your I-140 is approved, but your priority date has not yet become current, your application will be put on hold and kept on file with the National Visa Center until your priority date becomes current. It’s essential to keep track of your priority date and stay up-to-date on any changes or updates to the immigration process that may affect your application. Once your priority date becomes current, the National Visa Center will notify you on how to proceed with consular processing. Your file will then be forwarded to the appropriate consular post, where you will attend an interview and complete the remaining steps necessary to obtain your immigrant visa.

Here is everything that you need to know about this number, and how to obtain it.

SSN – A Social Security Number is issued by the Social Security Administration. Most U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary or working residents have a Social Security Number. Even non-working residents (citizens and non-citizens alike) can obtain an SSN, due to its use by businesses and government entities.

Why do you need an SSN number?

An SSN is very important, due to its direct connection to future benefits that you may be entitled to receive from the U.S. government. It’s also required to open financial accounts, apply for loans, apply for unemployment assistance, and to get a driver’s license.

The application process for an SSN is quite straightforward. You must simply follow these application steps: 

  1. Complete and print out Social Security Application Form SS-5,
  2. Collect the additional required forms and documentation (see the list below),
  3. Submit the application and the required documents in person, at the Social Security Administration’s office,
  4. Request a verification receipt of your application,
  5. Wait approximately two weeks for your Social Security card to arrive in the mail,
  6. Once you receive your card, be sure to store it in a safe place – your SSN is important to your future benefits. Protect it and the card that it’s on, as it is valuable. Use it only when officially required, and not simply when someone asks you for it.

Additional required forms and documentation that you should bring with you:

  • Social Security Application Form SS-5,
  • Passport with a Visa stamp,
  • I-94 record or passport admission stamp,
  • Original copy of the I-797 O-1 Approval Notice.

For any further questions, you can call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Social Security Administration website.

The Adjustment of Status is a procedure that allows people to request permanent resident status, commonly known as applying for a Green Card while living in the United States.

The adjustment of status applicant must meet the eligibility criteria for a Green Card. If approved, you can live and work in the United States.

Applying for a Green Card involves completing at least two primary forms in the application process. These forms are the immigrant petition and the Green Card application.

Employment-based adjustment applicants must file Form I-140, and family-based applicants Form I-130. Both need to file Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Resident or Adjust Status), the application form used to request an adjustment of status and obtain a Green Card.

When a visa number is available, an applicant can file Form I-485, also known as the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, concurrently with the immigrant petition. This means that the applicant can process both applications together, saving time and reducing processing delays.

A priority date is assigned to an applicant based on their place in line for a visa, determined by the date the immigrant petition was filed. If the demand for visas in a particular category exceeds the supply, a backlog can occur, and the priority date can move slowly or even retrogress. However, if an applicant is subject to immigrant visa backlogs, they may not be able to apply for adjustment of status until their priority date becomes current.

In this situation, the applicant will have to wait until their priority date becomes current before filing the adjustment of status. Alternatively, they may choose to consular process their Green Card application outside the U.S.

It’s crucial to stay up-to-date with the monthly Visa Bulletin, which provides information on priority dates and visa availability, to determine when an applicant can file for adjustment of status.

Once you submit your Form I-485, USCIS will send you a notification containing information about your biometrics services appointment at a local Application Support Center (ASC). At this appointment, you will need to provide your fingerprints, photograph, and signature, and the notice will indicate the appointment’s date, time, and location. This process aims to confirm your identity and carry out necessary background and security checks.

During your ASC appointment, we will request you to sign an acknowledgment certifying that you have thoroughly reviewed all the information in your application and that the information you provided was accurate, complete, and valid at the time of submission. In case you don’t sign the acknowledgment or miss your ASC appointment without notifying the appropriate authority and requesting a reschedule, there is a possibility that your Form I-485 application may be denied.

USCIS officials will carefully evaluate your case to determine if an interview is required. If an interview is deemed necessary, you will be requested to attend an appointment at a USCIS office where you will be asked to answer questions while under oath or affirmation regarding your Form I-485. A notice containing the interview’s date, time, and location will be sent to you.