A# - Alien Registration number. An A# is issued to all aliens applying for permanent residence
ACWIA - American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998
Adjustment of Status - The change from nonimmigrant to Lawful Permanent Resident
Advance Parole - Document required to leave the U.S. while adjustment to lawful permanent resident is pending
Affidavit of Support - Signed and notarized document which makes sponsor financially responsible for the beneficiary.
AILA - American Immigration Lawyers Association
Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) - Card stamped by INS when you arrive, shows how long you can stay in the United States. It is a small white card.
ASC - Application Support Center
BIA - Board of Immigrant Appeals
Change of Status - The switch from one visa type for another.
DOL - Department of Labor
E Visa - Visa for investors and traders.
EB-1 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens of extraordinary ability.
EB-2 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with advanced degrees or exceptional ability.
EB-3 - Employment-based immigration category for aliens with bachelor's degrees. Most immigrants become residents through this category.
EOIR - Executive Office of Immigration Review
F-1 - Student Visa.
Green Card - Document showing lawful permanent residence.
H-1B - Visa for temporary skilled workers.
H-1B Cap - Annual limit on number of H-1B visas issued (Currently 195,000).
H-4 - visa for family members of H-1B visa holder.
INA - Immigration and Nationality Act
INS - Immigration and Naturalization Service
ISD - Immigrant Services Division
J-1 - Visa for doctors and researcher- usually tied to some sort of research grant or exchange program.
L Visa - Visa for employees transferred from foreign office to U.S. office
Labor Condition Application (LCA) - Document indicating the prevailing wage in an area
Labor Certification - involved process through which the U.S. Department of Labor gives authorization for an alien to immigrate.
National Interest Waiver (NIW) - Immigrant visa for outstanding aliens who are in the top of their field..
NPRM - Notice of Proposed Rule Making
O-1 Visa - Visa for highly acclaimed individual with extraordinary ability in the Sciences, Education, Business, or Athletics.
O-2Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the O-1 visa holder
OPP - Office of Policy and Programs
P-1 Visa - Visa for entertainers and athletes
P-2 Visa - Visa for those accompanying or assisting the P-1 visa holder, as well as entertainers and athletes admitted through a reciprocal exchange program and their staff.
Practical Training - One year work authorization for F-1 students who have terminated studies
Priority Date - Date assigned to aliens for processing of green card. The INS will not process an immigrant petition until the date is current
RFE - Request for Evidence. This is a letter the INS uses to request additional information on a pending case.
TN Visa - Visa for temporary workers authorized under schedule 2 of NAFTA
Work Authorization Card - Document which authorizes employment. Obtained through concurrently with or after an adjustment of status is filed. It may be renewed at one year intervals while the application for permanent residency is pending.