		English \| Español

Home \| Sitemap \| Contact us	AN INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION, NOT A U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY

IMMIGRATION CART \| MY ACCOUNT	APPLICATIONS \| PACKAGES \| FORMS

Products

Packages:
	Dual Citizenship Package
	Green Card Info + Renewal
	Green Card + US Citizenship
	K-1 Visa + GC Marriage
U.S. Citizenship:
	US Citizenship Application
	US Citizenship Test
	US Citizenship Package
	Dual Citizenship
	Certificate of Citizenship
	Certificate of Naturalization
Green Cards:
	Green Card Application
	Green Card Information
	Green Card Renewal
	Green Card Replacement
	Green Card Change/Update
	Green Card Employment
	Green Card Investment
	Green Card Marriage
	Green Card Lottery
	Green Card Relatives
	Change of Address
	Special Immigrants
	Remove Conditions
	Reentry Permit
United States Visas:
	B-1 Business Visa
	B-2 Tourist Visa
	B-1/B-2 Visa Extension
	C-1 Transit Visa
	E-1 Treaty Trader Visa
	E-2 Treaty Investor Visa
	E-3 Visa for Australians
	F-1 Student Visa
	H-1B Work Visa
	H-2B Work Visa
	H-3 Trainee Visa
	J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
	K-1 Fiancee/Fiance Visa
	L-1 Intracompany Work Visa
	Nurse Work Visa
	O-1 Extraordinary Ability
	P Visa Athlete/Entertainer
	R-1 Religious Visa
	TN Nafta Work Visa
	US Work Visa
	Visa Waiver Program
United States Passport:
	Passport Application
	Renewals and Updates
	Passport Card
Employment:
	Form I-9
	Green Card Employment
	Get a Job in the U.S.
Other Products:
	Asylum and Refugee
	Birth Certificate
	Change of Address
	Deportation
	FOIA Request
	Form I-94
	How to Get Married
	ITIN Application
	Social Security Card
	U.S. Drivers License
	U.S. Newcomer's Guide

Immigration Forms

Resources

Glossary of Immigration Terms

Immigration Articles >> General Information >> Glossary of Immigration Terms >> V

It is important to familiarize yourself with the following immigration terms and abbreviations. These are common immigration terms used at USCIS offices, United States Embassies and Consulates. You will also find these terms in immigration forms and other legal documents, for this reason it is vital to understand the meaning of these terms.

Our Glossary of Immigration Terms is organized in alphabetical order and divided into sections due to it's extensive size. Use the menu below to locate the term you are looking for.

Visa
A United States visa grants the holder the right to apply for entry to the United States, but does not grant the visa holder the right to enter the United States. Entry can be refused at the port of entry. The Department of State (DOS) is in charge of visa administration at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Outside of the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) immigration inspectors determine admissibility and duration of stay. Upon approval of entry, DHS immigration inspectors are required to record the terms of admission on Form I-94 or I-94W as well as in the individual's passport

Visa Waiver Program
The program permits citizens of certain countries to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure up to 90 days. The following countries are currently in the visa waiver program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom,Lithuania, Slovakia, Estonia, Hungary, Korea, and the Czech Republic.

Voluntary Departure
A foreigner who departs voluntarily from the United States without an order of removal or without a preceding hearing. A foreigner who departs voluntarily admits removability but he/she is not barred from seeking admission at a port-of-entry at any time. However, failure to depart, if removable, can result in a fine and a ten-year ban to several forms of relief from deportation.

VSC
Vermont Service Center.

Back to Immigration Articles

OUR IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

Submit your questions online or schedule a phone consultation with a licensed U.S. immigration lawyer.

	USCIS and INS
	Amnesty
	Immigration Reform
	U.S. Immigration Articles

Search U.S. Immigration Support

Example: citizenship application

	50,000 Green Cards available
	Free Online Application
	Download Application Guide

	InfoPass
	Case Status
	Passport and Passport Card
	Green Card Renewal
	Green Card Application
	Citizenship Application
	B-2 Tourist Visa
	Immigration Forms