Resources

Government Agencies

• USCIS (formerly INS) Website: www.uscis.gov
• USCIS in Manchester, NH: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.detail&office=MAN&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO&OfficeLocator.statecode=NH
• USCIS in Boston, MA: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.detail&office=BOS&OfficeLocator.office_type=LO&OfficeLocator.statecode=MA
• USCIS Processing Times: Case Status Check, District Office, Service Center, National Benefits Center
• Processing Times at the Vermont Service Center: https://egov.immigration.gov/cris/jsps/Processtimes.jsp?SeviceCenter=VSC
• USCIS National Customer Service Center toll-free number: 1-800-375-5283
• USCIS Forms Line: 1-800-870-3676
• Change of Address Form (AR-11): www.uscis.gov/files/form/ar-11.pdf
• USCIS Photo Specification Sheet: www.uscis.gov/files/nativedocuments/M-603.pdf
• Lawful Permanent Residency: www.uscis.gov/greencard
• USCIS - Legal Permanent Resident Card: /uploads/pressreleases/2005A-14.PDF
• Civil Surgeon Locator: https://egov.immigration.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=CIV
• USCIS Electronic On-Line Filing: www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=9059d9808bcbd010VgnVCM100000d1f1d6a1RCRD
• US Immigration Services and Benefits: www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextoid=54519c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD&vgnextchannel=54519c7755cb9010VgnVCM10000045f3d6a1RCRD
• Resources for New Immigrants: www.uscis.gov/newimmigrants
• U.S. Citizenship: www.uscis.gov/citizenship
• Naturalization Process: www.uscis.gov/naturalization
• Guide to Naturalization: www.uscis.gov/natzguide
• New Pilot Naturalization Test Q & A: www.uscis.gov/natzpilot
• US Immigration and Customs Enforcement: www.ice.gov/
• US Customs and Border Protection: customs.gov
• US Department of Justice: www.usdoj.gov
• US Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/
• US Department of Labor: www.dol.gov/
• Labor Certification Processing Times: www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/times.cfm
• US Department of State: www.state.gov/
• Visa Services/Bureau of Consular Affairs: travel.state.gov
• Visa Bulletin: www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/bulletin/bulletin_1360.html
• Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointments: travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php
• 2008 DV Lottery: travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html
• National Visa Center: travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1309.html
• U.S. Visa Policy and Procedures: www.travel.state.gov/visa/index.html
• U.S. Passport Applications: travel.state.gov/passport/get/status/status_2567.html
• New Passport Requirements for U.S. Citizens: www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/76752.htm
• IRS Tax Transcripts: www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc156.html?portlet=1
• Currency Converter: www.xe.com/ucc/
• Links to US Embassies & Consulates Website: usembassy.state.gov/
• J-I Exchange program / Waivers: travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html
• State Department’s FAM manual: foia.state.gov/REGS/fams.asp?level=2&id=10&fam=0
• Social Security information for immigration matters: www.ssa.gov/immigration
• Federal Register: www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html

Foreign Healthcare Workers

• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP): www.nabp.net
• Boards of Pharmacy List: www.nabp.net/index.asp?target=/whoweare/directory.asp&
• Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT): www.fccpt.org
• National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT): www.nbcot.org
• Information on State Boards of Nursing: https://www.ncsbn.org/515.htm
• NCLEX for VisaScreen through NCSBN: https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm
• NCLEX by Pearson VUE: www.vue.com/ppc/
• International Commission for Healthcare Professionals (ICHP): www.ichp.org
• VisaScreen Certificate: www.ichp.org/sections/programs/vs/
• National Council Licensure Examination for Regisitered Nurses: www.ncsbn.org

Professional Associations

• American Immigration Lawyers Association: www.aila.org
• NH Bar Association: www.nhbar.org

Glossary of Terms

• Immigrant: One who gains Permanent Residency (Green Card).
• Non-immigrant: Temporary stay in the US by a foreigner.
• Visa: Issued at US Consulates worldwide to allow legal entry to the US.
• Green Card: Permanent Residency in the US.
• Lottery: Annual drawing to qualify for a Green Card without a job offer.
• Adjustment of status: Ability to apply for Permanent Residency without leaving the US.
• Advance Parole: Permission to leave the US while Adjustment of Status application pending.
• Citizen: Person born or naturalized in the US.
• Consular Processing: The process of obtaining a visa at a US Consulate.
• Two Year Residency Requirement: Restriction 212(e) on a visa stating that the foreigner has to leave the US when his/her visa expires and stay in his/her home country for a minimum of two (2) years.
• Re-entry permit: Application made to BCIS to allow a foreigner to re-enter the US after being outside the US for more than six (6) months.
• Work Authorization: Permission to work in the US while Adjustment of Status application is pending.
• Receipt Number: Issued by the BCIS stating that the visa application was received.
• Alien Number: Issued by the BCIS upon receiving Permanent Residency (Green Card).
• Conditional Residence: Granted to those individuals who have applied for and been granted Adjustment of Status to Legal Permanent Resident, but who have not been married to a US Citizen for two (2) years or more.