Immigrating to the US from Australia

Overview

If you want to engage in studies or research in the US lasting over 90 days, you must apply for a Student visa. There are 2 types of student visas available for Australian citizens: the F and M student visas. The kind of study you will do in the US will determine the type of student visa you’ll apply for. You’ll typically need an F-visa if you want to attend a:

• Language school
• Conservatory
• High school
• University or College
• Seminary

You must apply for the M-visa if you are going to the US to study a non-academic or vocational course. You can also move to the US with your family.

Required Documents

• Valid Australian passport valid for up to 6 months after your visa expires
• Receipt of visa fee payment
• Confirmation of nonimmigrant visa application form (Form DS-160)
• Bank statements to prove you can fund your studies and live in the US without needing governmental financial intervention
• Proof you have paid part or all your tuition fee. A sponsorship letter or proof of funding can suffice here
• Evidence of ties to Australia
• Academic credentials like your transcripts, certificates, diplomas and test scores

Applying for a US Student Visa

The first step in getting a student visa in the US is getting admitted into a SEVP-approved school. Upon getting an offer from the school, you must register with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and pay the I-901 fee.

If you want to move to the US with your family, you must indicate so on the SEVIS platform. After this, the school will send Form I-120 to you and your family members.

The next step is to prepare all the documents you need for the visa application. It is usually better to gather these documents before applying to avoid delays, especially with documents you need to get from institutions or organizations.

After getting your Form I-120, proceed to the US Consulate’s website and complete Form DS-160. Print out the confirmation page, as you’ll need it during your visa interview. You’ll need to pay 185 USD for the visa application.

After applying for a visa, you will get a list of possible dates to visit the Embassy for your interview. If you are below 14 or older than 79, you are not required to attend a visa interview.

Ensure you take your supporting documents with you while going for the interview. You can then make plans for your travel to the US after your visa is approved by the officer at the US Embassy.

Overview

Australians who want to know how to immigrate to USA without job offer can explore the option of a family-based immigrant visa. To apply for this visa category, you must have a family member who is in the US.

Your family member in the US must be a US citizen or hold lawful permanent residency. They must also prove they are at least 21 and can financially support you.

If your family member is a US citizen, they can sponsor you to apply for the following family visas:

• Immediate relative visas (IR visas) if you are a spouse, child or parent of a US citizen
• Family preference visa if you are the sibling or grandparent of a US citizen
• Fiancé(e) visa if you intend to get married in the US within 90 days

If your family member is a US lawful permanent resident, they can only sponsor you if you are their spouse or child below the age of 22. If your family-based visa is approved, you get a green card, which permits you to settle permanently in the US.

Documents Required

• Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
• Australian passport
• Marriage, birth or adoption certificates

• Proof of immigration category
• Medical test
• Form I-485, Affidavit of Support
• Passport photographs

Application Process

The application process for family-based visas begins with your relative in the US. They’ll need to file Form I-130 and Form I-864 on your behalf to the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). If the USCIS approves the application, they will send your application to the NVC (National Visa Center). The NVC will issue an immigrant number to you and tell you how much you are to pay and which documents you are to submit.

Follow the NVC directive and get documents proving your relationship with the US-based family member. Next is to pay the visa fees. Ensure you get the receipt for the payment, as you’ll need to show it at the Embassy.

You’ll need to submit your details online by completing Form DS-260. Print out the confirmation page as you’ll present it to the officer at the Embassy. Ensure all your documents are complete and the details in your DS-260 align with the documents you’re submitting.

If you are successful, you will get a visa packet to hand over to the border control officer at the port of entry. Upon admission into the US, you’ll get your green card in 45 days.

Overview

Australians can move to the US for employment purposes. There are 2 types of employment-based visas. They are the Temporary Worker visas and the Employment-based Immigrant visas. Below are the Temporary Worker visas available for Australian citizens:

• H-1B visa for persons in speciality occupation
• H-1B1 visa for free trade agreement professionals
• H-2A visa for temporary agricultural workers
• H-2B visa for temporary non-agricultural workers
• H-3 visa for trainees or special education visitors
• L-visa for Intracompany transferee
• O-visa for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement
• P-1 visa for individual or team athlete or member of an entertainment group
• P-2 and P-3 visas for artists or entertainers
• Q-visa for participants in an international cultural exchange program

Below are the employment-based immigrant visas for Australian citizens:

• E1 visa for persons of extraordinary talent and priority workers
• E2 visa for professionals with advanced qualifications
• E3 visa for unskilled, skilled and professional workers
• E4 visa for special migrants
• E5 visa for Australian investors

For this category of employment visas, the US issues only 140,000 visas. Once the limit is reached, the rest of the applications are moved to the next fiscal year. One advantage of this visa is that once it is approved, you’ll become a green card holder and become a permanent resident in the US.

Documents Required

• Australian passport
• Signed Form DS-260 or DS-160, as the case may be
• Birth, adoption and marriage certificates
• Medical and vaccination forms
• Bank statement showing you can support yourself in the US
• Proof of visa fee payment
• Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker

How to Apply

Here is how to immigrate to USA with job offer:

The first step is your employer filing Form I-140, Petition for Alien Worker, for you to the USCIS. Upon approval, the USCIS forwards your application to the NVC. The NVC will contact you about the documents to submit, fees to pay and forms to file.

The next step is to gather your documents as directed by the NVC. Proceed to pay the visa application fee where and when you’re directed. Do not pay any fee unless the NVC directs you to do so.

Complete Form DS-260 (employment-based immigration) or DS-160 (temporary workers) and print out the confirmation page. The NVC will also instruct you where to go for your medical exams. You’ll need the report when you get to the Embassy for the visa.

Schedule your interview and then attend on the scheduled date. Ensure you go with all your documents. Also, ensure they’re up to date. Upon approval of your application, you can then travel to the US.