immigrant status and Visa, Whats the difference?
A Visa is the document placed in your passport by the U.S. Consular official. This document permits you to enter the United States. It may be valid for 6 months or a year or longer. You may be able to use it to enter the U.S. many times or just one time. If your Visa expires while you are in the United States, it does not mean that you are out of status or “illegal”. Non-immigrant status is granted when you arrive in the United States. The INS officer at the point of entry (airport or border) will issue a Form I-94. This Form will indicate your non-immigrant status, H-1B, J-1 or for dependents H-4 or J-2. He/she will also indicate an expiration date. For H-1B holders, this is usual the expiration date on your approval notice. For J-1 holders, the Form I-94 will be marked D/S for Duration of Status. This means that you are entitled to remain in the U.S. for the duration of your J-1 status. For physicians sponsored by ECFMG for residency training, the maximum duration of status is the ti
