Visas and immigration: official information
Plain-language summaries of official guidance on student, visitor, work and family visas, refusals, settlement and citizenship, with links to official forms and to regulated help. Information only.
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General legal information from official sources, not legal advice. You decide what to do.
What this problem is
This hub summarizes official U.S. government guidance and links to the official forms. It doesn't assess your case or prepare applications. For help with your own situation, use a licensed lawyer or a Justice Department–accredited representative.
Your rights in plain language
Who can help with your case
Only a licensed lawyer, a Justice Department–accredited representative working for a recognized organization, or a supervised law student or graduate can represent you before USCIS. In the United States, a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot represent you in an immigration case.
Verified source: Find Legal Services(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Find Legal Services(opens in a new tab)
Accredited representatives
Accredited representatives are non-lawyers approved by the Justice Department to give immigration legal services. They may only work through recognized non-profit organizations.
Verified source: Recognition and Accreditation Program(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Recognition and Accreditation Program(opens in a new tab)
Official information by topic
- Student visas (F-1, M-1, J-1)
- Visiting: visitor visas and ESTA
- Work and family visas
- Refusals and next steps
- Green cards and citizenship
Student visas (F-1, M-1, J-1)
To study in the United States as an international student, you usually need a student visa. The school you choose must be certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
Types of student visa
F-1 visas are for full-time international students in academic studies, and M-1 visas for full-time vocational studies. The J-1 visa is for approved exchange programs.
Verified source: Student visas(opens in a new tab)
Your school must be certified
Students applying for an F-1 or M-1 visa must attend a school, and enroll in courses, certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
Verified source: Student visas(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- Acceptance from an SEVP-certified school
- A valid passport
- The application steps and fees on the official State Department pages linked from USAGov
Visiting: visitor visas and ESTA
Many visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries travel with an ESTA instead of a visa. ESTA approval lets you travel; it doesn't decide whether you'll be admitted.
ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program
ESTA decides whether a visitor can travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. It does not decide whether you will be admitted: officers decide that when you arrive.
Verified source: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)(opens in a new tab)- Verified source: Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- A valid passport (an e-Passport for the Visa Waiver Program)
- Apply only on the official ESTA website: other sites may charge more
Work and family visas
Working in the United States, or joining family, usually starts with a petition to USCIS by an employer or a relative. Each route has its own forms and rules.
Working in the United States
Family of U.S. citizens and permanent residents
Refusals and next steps
If USCIS refuses a petition or application, the decision letter explains whether you can appeal or ask for it to be reopened, and by when. Time limits are short.
Appeals and motions (Form I-290B)
30 days from the date of service of a USCIS decision (33 days if it was mailed), to file Form I-290B
Verified source: I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion(opens in a new tab)I-290B. Notice of Appeal or Motion
Verified source: I-290B, Notice of Appeal or Motion(opens in a new tab)
What to have ready
- The decision letter, with its date
- Any notices USCIS sent you
- Help from a lawyer or accredited representative before you file
Green cards and citizenship
Permanent residence (a green card) and naturalization each have their own eligibility rules and forms, set out by USCIS.
Key deadlines
| Deadline | Source |
|---|---|
| 30 days (the date of service of a USCIS decision (33 days if it was mailed), to file Form I-290B) |
The official process
Find the right official page
Use the sections below to reach the official guidance for your situation.
Check eligibility on the official site
Read the official eligibility rules and fees before you apply.
Get regulated help if you need it
Only a lawyer or an accredited representative can give you legal help with an immigration case.
Apply only through official channels
Use the official forms and websites linked here.
Common mistakes
- Paying someone who isn't a lawyer or accredited representative for immigration help.
- Using websites that imitate government services and charge extra.
- Missing the deadline in a decision letter.
Rules where you live
Somewhere else? Start the guided questions and choose your state: we'll show free information and people who can help.
Questions
Is this free?
Yes. This hub is information only. We don't charge for it, and we don't prepare immigration documents.
Can you fill in my immigration forms?
No. We only link to the official forms. A lawyer or a Justice Department–accredited representative can help you with them.
Can a notary public help with my case?
No. In the United States a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot represent you in an immigration case.
Get help from a person
Free and low-cost help, and official bodies that can step in.
- Justice Department: accredited representativesNon-profit organizations recognized by the Justice Department, whose accredited representatives can help with immigration cases.
- USCIS: find legal servicesWho is allowed to help with an immigration case, and how to avoid immigration scams.
- Legal Services Corporation: find legal aidFree civil legal aid organizations in every state, for people on lower incomes.
- LawHelp.orgPlain-language guides and legal aid directories, by state.
Sources
Every rule on this page comes from these official sources. We check them regularly.
- Find Legal ServicesU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Recognition and Accreditation ProgramExecutive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Department of Justice · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Student visasUSAGov · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Students and Exchange VisitorsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)U.S. Customs and Border Protection · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Working in the United StatesU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Family of U.S. Citizens and Permanent ResidentsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- VisasUSAGov · checked Oct 24, 2026
- All FormsU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- I-290B, Notice of Appeal or MotionU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Green CardU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
- Citizenship Resource CenterU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked Oct 24, 2026
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