Immigration glossary
Terms and acronyms that frequently appear in immigration paperwork.
- USCIS
- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Federal agency that administers immigration benefits.
- DOS / NVC
- Department of State / National Visa Center. Processes visas at consulates and embassies.
- I-94
- Entry/exit record indicating immigration status and authorized exit date.
- I-130
- Petition for Alien Relative, first step to immigrate by family.
- I-140
- Immigrant Worker Petition, first step to immigrate by employment.
- I-485
- Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status within the US.
- I-589
- Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal.
- I-765
- Application for Employment Authorization (EAD).
- EAD
- Employment Authorization Document. Work permit.
- AOS
- Adjustment of Status. Change to permanent resident without leaving the US.
- RFE
- Request for Evidence. USCIS request for additional evidence.
- NOID
- Notice of Intent to Deny. Allows you to respond before the final decision.
- Priority Date
- Your place in line for visas with caps.
- Visa Bulletin
- Monthly DOS bulletin showing which priority dates are available.
- Public Charge
- Analysis of whether an applicant relies excessively on public benefits.
- Parole
- Temporary authorization to enter the US for humanitarian or public interest reasons.
- TPS
- Temporary Protected Status for nationals of countries in crisis.
- DACA
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.