ok so i am 16 and i came to the us 8 years ago...i've been going to school in the us since the first grade...im brazilian and unfortunatelly my visa expires in 2010 and then im screwed because i mostly grew up here and if i were to go back to my country i hardly even speak my native language so for me i been hearing that theres a way i can take this test or something to become a citizen when im 18 anyone know where i can get info on it?also i've been hearing that theres a way i can join the military that way i can get my citizenship,anyone know what branch? and how exactly do people get their i94 or pernament residence??
2006-10-15 16:11:04 · 6 answers · asked by luiz 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
well, you need to contact the immigration and naturalization department and ask if you can extend your visa or something.
I don't really have any other advice to give you.. just give them a call and go from there.
also, www.firstgov.gov ... they have a questions area, and they answer within two days, and the aswers are pretty good, so check that out.
good luck.
2006-10-15 16:13:09 · answer #1 · answered by Jacques 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If you entered the country legally, an I-94 is a small white form that's supposed to be stapled inside your passport. It has the date of your arrival and an expiration date. The range of the arrival and expiration date is the amount of time that you can stay in the U.S. You should know that the I-94 is the MOST IMPORTANT document while in the country.
What type of visa do you have? If you carry a tourist visa and never went back to Brazil, you already felt out of status eventhough you aren't 18. You overstayed the date that's written in your I-94. If you carry a student visa, you are In-status, and you should have an un-expired I-20 form from your current school. Ask your parents or whoever is taking care of you about your legal documentation (passport, I-20, I-94), it's very important that you know what's your currrent status.
As for becoming an American citizen, there're many ways, which has nothing to do non-immigrant visas (student, work, tourist). You are going to have to deal with Immigrant visas. http://www.uscis.gov --> this site might help you.
2006-10-16 00:45:07 · answer #2 · answered by c00kies 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot join the US military unless you are a citizen or a legal resident.
I hope you understand that your visa does not mean you can stay in the US until 2010; it means you can make short visits until then. If you will actually read the visa, you will see that it says you may make multiple visits until 2010, not that you can stay until then. You are actually illegal, and have been for probably 7-1/2 years.
That you have been in the US illegally for all that time is the bad part - Here is the good news: you are not accountable for your illegal presence until you turn 18. This means that if you go back to Brazil before your 18th birthday, the previous years of illegal stay do not count. You won't get another tourist visa, of course, nor any kind of non-immigrant visa. But if you can find a way to immigrate legally the automatic 10-year bar for staying illegally for over one year will not apply to you. Please do leave before you turn 18, though, if you ever want to go back to the US.
As for how to return to the US as a legal immigrant, I suggest you consult a good attorney.
2006-10-16 00:00:22 · answer #3 · answered by dognhorsemom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So far, from basic immigration knowledge (that most people know)... You have everything but the age requirement taken care of, which requires you to be 18 in order to go through the naturalization process.
You'll want to visit http://www.uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/ for details on what you'll need to know in order to become a naturalized US citizen, including requirements.
From what I can tell, the earliest you can start the naturalization process is 3 months from your 18th birthday. Since you'll become 18 in 2008, you'll have at about 2 years to successfully complete the naturalization process.
Beyond this... You're pretty much on your own. I wish you good luck on becoming a US citizen!
2006-10-15 23:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by TStodden 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I would get in touch with the nearest immigration office. They would have the answers you need. Joining the military without first being a citizen can sometimes be a problem. I've heard lately that it's difficult to get a security clearanc these days even with dual citizenship, let alone resident alien status.
Good luck in your quest.
2006-10-15 23:59:21 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
get married to someone in that country
2006-10-15 23:19:10 · answer #6 · answered by lorenzo p 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋