United States
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Explore guide · Visas and documents ↗News summary
A preparation roadmap by purpose, with documents, steps and direct links to the responsible authorities.
Guides to the main routes, not a list of every existing visa. Nationality, residence, age, family and consulate can change the required evidence.
Study · F / M
An eligible school issues the I-20. Prepare DS-160, SEVIS evidence and academic/financial records for consular assessment.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Category application, completed and signed where required; Photograph meeting the specifications; Admission or enrolment at an eligible institution and course; Financial evidence accepted for this category.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition; Language evidence for the category or exemption; Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction.
Route forms and references: DS-160 · I-20 · SEVIS I-901.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Confirm admission, enrolment, payments and institution-issued documents. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Work · H / L / O / P
Temporary categories have individual criteria. Where required, an approved petition precedes the consular application; it does not guarantee a visa.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Category application, completed and signed where required; Photograph meeting the specifications; Employer authorisation, sponsorship or petition where the route requires it.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Contract or job offer accepted for the category; Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition; Evidence of experience and professional licensing; Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction.
Route forms and references: DS-160 · I-129 · I-797.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Ask the employer to complete the prior authorisation or sponsorship required by this route. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Join family · Immigrant visa
After the petition and NVC referral, follow civil and financial document instructions. Visa availability depends on the category.
Documents to organise: Valid passport or travel document; Category application, completed and signed where required; Certificates and evidence of family or partner relationship; Family member’s identity and immigration status or nationality; Civil records and evidence of parentage or name changes.
Depending on your case and the official checklist: Police certificates for the requested countries and periods; Medical examination or certificate/TB where applicable; Supporting family member’s income, maintenance and accommodation; Certified translations and legalisation/apostille where requested.
Route forms and references: DS-260 · CEAC / NVC.
How to proceed: Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence. Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested. After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Before paying or travelling
Check fees, minimum income, document validity and timing with the route source. Confirm translations and legalisation with the responsible consulate. Visa, entry, residence and permission to work are different steps; approval is not guaranteed.
Information for lawful migration. PassyGo does not issue visas or replace individual advice from a qualified professional.
U.S. Department of State
travel.state.gov · Source checked on 13/11/2026This is a summary of the publication. The full text and requirements are available from the original source.
Read the original source ↗Sources by route
Study F / M
Check official requirements · travel.state.gov ↗
Work H / L / O / P
Check official requirements · travel.state.gov ↗
Join family Immigrant visa
Visas and documents: destination context
Country reference guide. These routes are not new measures announced by the news; each has its own requirements.
Guides to the main routes, not a list of every existing visa. Nationality, residence, age, family and consulate can change the required evidence.
Sources checked · 2026-11-13StudyF / M
An eligible school issues the I-20. Prepare DS-160, SEVIS evidence and academic/financial records for consular assessment.
Official name
F / M
Documents to organise
- Valid passport or travel document
- Category application, completed and signed where required
- Photograph meeting the specifications
- Admission or enrolment at an eligible institution and course
- Financial evidence accepted for this category
Depending on your case and the official checklist
- Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition
- Language evidence for the category or exemption
- Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction
Route forms and references
- DS-160 · I-20 · SEVIS I-901
How to proceed
- Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence.
- Confirm admission, enrolment, payments and institution-issued documents.
- Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested.
- After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Sources by route
WorkH / L / O / P
Temporary categories have individual criteria. Where required, an approved petition precedes the consular application; it does not guarantee a visa.
Official name
H / L / O / P
Documents to organise
- Valid passport or travel document
- Category application, completed and signed where required
- Photograph meeting the specifications
- Employer authorisation, sponsorship or petition where the route requires it
Depending on your case and the official checklist
- Contract or job offer accepted for the category
- Diplomas, transcripts and qualification recognition
- Evidence of experience and professional licensing
- Evidence of lawful residence in the application jurisdiction
Route forms and references
- DS-160 · I-129 · I-797
How to proceed
- Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence.
- Ask the employer to complete the prior authorisation or sponsorship required by this route.
- Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested.
- After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Sources by route
Join familyImmigrant visa
After the petition and NVC referral, follow civil and financial document instructions. Visa availability depends on the category.
Official name
Immigrant visa
Documents to organise
- Valid passport or travel document
- Category application, completed and signed where required
- Certificates and evidence of family or partner relationship
- Family member’s identity and immigration status or nationality
- Civil records and evidence of parentage or name changes
Depending on your case and the official checklist
- Police certificates for the requested countries and periods
- Medical examination or certificate/TB where applicable
- Supporting family member’s income, maintenance and accommodation
- Certified translations and legalisation/apostille where requested
Route forms and references
- DS-260 · CEAC / NVC
How to proceed
- Choose the category and check the authority/consulate checklist for your place of residence.
- Use the official channel linked in the source and keep receipts. Attend interviews or biometrics when requested.
- After the decision, check entry conditions, local registration, residence and permitted activities.
Sources by route
Check fees, minimum income, document validity and timing with the route source. Confirm translations and legalisation with the responsible consulate. Visa, entry, residence and permission to work are different steps; approval is not guaranteed.
Explore guide ↗Information for careful decisions
Rules may change. Check dates, requirements and updates with the official source. This content is informational and does not replace professional advice.
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