Articles: Visas & Permits
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Visiting the USA with an Esta Visa
Why should Australians visit the US?
The appeal for Australians to visit the USA has never been greater. The number of Aussies making the journey in the space of 12 months, surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time back in 2015. The effect of rock bottom air fares being offered makes the desire to travel to the USA even greater. If this has tempted you to leave the Australian winter to set your sights on an American summer, we have compiled a list of top 5 places to visit in the USA!
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American Citizenship
How can you become an American?
With few exceptions, anyone born in the US has an automatic claim to US citizenship. To qualify, one parent must be a US citizen and the child must be under 18 years of age and in the legal custody of the American parent. Adopted children must have been adopted before age 16. If the American parent hasn’t lived in the US for five years before the child’s birth, one of the child’s American grandparents must have lived in the US for this period.
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Special cases
Refugees, Exclusion & Deportation
The number of refugees permitted to enter the US each year is determined by an agreement between Congress and the President, and the rules concerning refugee status are complex. Moreover, the US can refuse you of entry to the US, on arrival at a port or airport or when applying for a visa. There are many grounds for exclusion.
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Students & Exchange Visitors
The SEVIS network
In 2003, the Homeland Security Department set up its Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a centralised database designed to track visa holders engaged in academic and vocational studies, as well as participants in exchange programmes and fellowships. All schools, universities and exchange programmes that are approved to admit foreigners must participate in the SEVIS network.
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US immigrant visa processing
The rule of petitions
In all cases when an applicant’s qualification for an immigrant visa is based on his relationship to a US citizen or a permanent resident or on an offer of employment, a petition must be filed with the USCIS. Only after this petition has been accepted can you apply for a visa.
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