UnitedStatesVisas.gov -- Coming Permanently to the U.S.

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Obtaining an Immigrant Visa

Most people who want to immigrate must have a sponsor or petitioner. This can be either a relative or an employer. The petitioner must file an immigrant visa petition with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. For the diversity visa lottery an applicant’s winning entry is considered the petition. A limited number of people can file petitions for themselves.

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Coming Permanently to the U.S.

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Immigrant visas are for people who want to live permanently in the United States. You must have one even if you do not want to work in the United States. There are three categories of immigrant visas:

Family immigrant visas;
Employment-based immigrant visas; and
Diversity program immigrant visas

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