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Information from the INS web site:

 

Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs

Frequently Asked Questions
Visas

  1. I'm an American citizen traveling to another country. Where do I get my visa?
  2. Who can I call for information on visa cases and what can they do about specific visa cases?
  3. When should I call the Immigration and Naturalization Service?
  4. What is an advisory opinion?
  5. What about visa denials? What can Visa Services in Washington do?
  6. What if I have sent correspondence to a foreign service post and have not received a response?
  7. What is the difference between an immigrant and a nonimmigrant visa?
  8. How can an alien become a legal permanent resident or green card holder?
  9. What is the difference between an immediate relative petition and a preference petition?
  10. What is the process for obtaining an immigrant visa?
  11. What documents are required for the immigrant visa interview?
  12. What foreign service post handles approved immigrant visa petitions for persons who last resided in a country where there is no American consular representation?
  13. What is the waiting time for an immigrant visa after the National Visa Center or the foreign service post receives the approved petition?
  14. What is a priority date?
  15. How can I get the Visa Bulletin?
  16. How does an applicant obtain police certificates?
  17. What fees are involved in obtaining an immigrant visa?
  18. How long is an immigrant visa valid? What if the applicant must delay arrival in the U.S.?
  19. What documentation is required of a child born outside the U.S. of legal permanent residents?
  20. The legal permanent resident parents left the child abroad with family members and returned to the U.S. They now wish to bring the child to the U.S. What must they do?
  21. Can a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident file a petition at any foreign service post for the immigration of a relative?
  22. What must be done to invite someone for a visit to the United States?
  23. What does an applicant need for a visitor visa?
  24. How does an alien obtain a student visa?
  25. How does an alien in the U.S. change visa status?
  26. How does an alien extend the period of time allowed to remain in the U.S.?
  27. Can the holder of an expired nonimmigrant visa, such as an "I" journalist visa, in the U.S. be issued another nonimmigrant visa before leaving the U.S. for a temporary absence?
  28. What is necessary for an alien to enter the U.S. to marry a U.S. citizen?
  29. Does the fiance(e) visa automatically change to an alien registration card (green card)?
  30. How can an applicant learn why he/she was denied a visa at a post overseas?
  31. What can an applicant do if he/she has been denied? Can he/she appeal?
  32. How do I get forms?
  33. How can I enter the visa or green card lottery?
  34. How do I become a U.S. citizen?
  35. I lost my "green card." What should I do?


Frequently Asked Questions
Travel, Nationality and Loss of Citizenship

  1. What are Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings & Public Announcements?
  2. How do I get Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements?
  3. If I become a dual citizen will it affect my U.S. citizenship?
  4. How does one become a U.S. citizen and how do I renounce my U.S. citizenship?
  5. How do I get an international driver's license?

Frequently Asked Questions:

Passports and Citizenship Documents

  1. Where do I get a passport application?
  2. Where are the instructions for filling out the passport forms?
  3. I have a life or death emergency. What should I do?
  4. I am traveling very soon. How do I get a passport in a hurry?
  5. How do I renew my passport?
  6. I have never had a U.S. passport. / My passport was lost or stolen.  How do I get one?
  7. How long is a passport valid?
  8. I was recently married/divorced. How do I change my name on my passport?
  9. My passport was lost or stolen. How do I report it?
  10. I was born abroad. How do I get a birth certificate?
  11. What should I do if my baby is born abroad?
  12. What do I do if there is no birth record on file for me?
  13. I'm renewing my passport. Do I get the old one back?
  14. My child is too young to sign his/her own passport. How do I sign my child's passport?
  15. How do I get information about my child's passport, or, prevent passport issuance to my child?
  16. How do I find out about the status of my passport application?
  17. Why do I have to use a 1-888 or 1-900 number to get information about my passport?
  18. How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate?
  19. Who should maintain a valid U.S. passport?
  20. What if there is an error in the passport I just received?
  21. My child who is under 18 needs a passport. How do I get it?
  22. It it true that passport applications for minors under 14 require the consent of both parents or legal guardians?
  23. What is the Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)?

Frequently Asked Questions
Other Topics

  1. When I call for information all I get are recordings. Why can't I talk to a live person? How do I get to a person?
  2. Where do I get copies of biographies of State Department personnel?
  3. I want to complain about U.S. policy decisions. Who can I talk to?
  4. I'm traveling to another country. Where do I get my visa?
  5. Where do I get "Key Officers of Foreign Service Posts" and other State Department publications?"
  6. Where can the general public get copies of Consular Affairs publications?
  7. Where do I get "Background Notes?"
  8. I need to find the consulate of (fill in the country) in New York. Where can I find the numbers?"