An immigrant visa is granted to a foreign individual who wishes to reside and work in the United States permanently. In most situations, the individual is sponsored by a relative or employer who files an application with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Certain candidates, such as highly skilled professionals, investors, and special immigrants, can file a petition on their own behalf. The application is then forwarded to the appropriate US Consulate or Embassy overseas for further processing and, if eligible, issuance of the immigrant visa to the intending immigrant. Before the immigrant visa expires, the intended immigrant must show the immigrant visa at a U.S. port-of-entry. When an immigrant's immigrant visa is approved, he or she becomes a lawful permanent resident.
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