A–Z Immigration & Visa
Glossary
Explore immigration terminology across visa pathways, profile positioning, green card processes, and global mobility concepts.
A3 terms
- Adjustment of StatusAOS · Form I-485
- The process by which an eligible person already in the U.S. applies to become a lawful permanent resident without leaving the country.
- Approval NoticeForm I-797
- A formal notice issued by USCIS confirming that a petition or application has been approved.
- Attorney of RecordG-28
- The legal representative officially designated to act on a petitioner's or beneficiary's behalf with USCIS.
B2 terms
- BeneficiaryPetition subject
- The foreign national for whose benefit an immigration petition is filed.
- BiometricsAppointment
- Fingerprints, photograph, and signature collected to verify identity and run background checks.
C2 terms
- Country of ChargeabilityVisa bulletin
- The country to which a beneficiary's visa demand is counted, usually their country of birth.
- Consular ProcessingDS-260
- The process of obtaining an immigrant visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
D1 term
- Dual IntentVisa concept
- The legal doctrine permitting certain non-immigrant visa holders to also pursue lawful permanent residence.
E3 terms
- EB-1AExtraordinary Ability
- An employment-based first-preference category for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.
- EB-2 NIWNational Interest Waiver
- A subcategory of EB-2 that waives the labor certification and job offer requirements when the work is in the national interest.
- EADEmployment Authorization Document
- A document that grants a non-citizen the right to work in the United States for a specified period.
F1 term
- Form I-140Immigrant petition
- The petition filed by an employer or self-petitioner to classify a foreign worker for an employment-based immigrant visa.
G1 term
- Green CardI-551
- Common name for the Permanent Resident Card, evidencing lawful permanent resident status.
H1 term
- H-1BSpecialty Occupation
- A non-immigrant visa category for foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise.
I1 term
- I-485AOS application
- The form used to apply for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident from within the United States.
J1 term
- Judging ActivityEB-1A criterion
- Service as a judge of the work of others in the same or an allied field, often used as evidence for EB-1A petitions.
K1 term
- Kolluri MemoPolicy guidance
- USCIS internal guidance referenced in adjudicating extraordinary ability and outstanding professor petitions.
L1 term
- Labor CertificationPERM
- U.S. Department of Labor process certifying that no qualified U.S. worker is available for the position offered.
N1 term
- National Interest WaiverNIW
- A waiver of the labor certification and job offer requirements when granting an immigrant visa serves the national interest.
O2 terms
- O-1AExtraordinary Ability (non-immigrant)
- A temporary work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.
- Original ContributionsEB-1A criterion
- Significant, novel work that materially advances a field — a key evidentiary pillar for extraordinary-ability petitions.
P2 terms
- Premium ProcessingForm I-907
- An optional service that guarantees USCIS adjudication of certain petitions within a defined timeframe for an additional fee.
- Priority DateVisa bulletin
- The date on which a petition was properly filed; used to determine when an immigrant visa becomes available.
Q1 term
- QuotaAnnual cap
- The numerical limit set on the number of immigrant visas available in a given category each fiscal year.
R1 term
- Request for EvidenceRFE
- A formal USCIS notice requesting additional documentation before a petition can be adjudicated.
S1 term
- Sustained AcclaimEB-1A standard
- The requirement that a petitioner has risen to the very top of their field and continues to be recognized for their work.
T1 term
- Tier 1Comparative concept
- A reference, often informal, to the highest-ranked institutions, journals, or events used as supporting evidence.
U1 term
- USCISAgency
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — the agency that adjudicates most immigration petitions.
V1 term
- Visa BulletinMonthly publication
- A monthly U.S. Department of State publication showing immigrant visa availability by category and country.
W1 term
- WaiverInadmissibility
- An official forgiveness of a ground of inadmissibility that would otherwise bar issuance of a visa or status.