The word for when a person leaves the country they were born in to go live and make a new home in a different country.

The official, legal category the government puts you in (like "Visitor," "Student," or "Permanent Resident"). It shows what your rules are while you are in the country.

Visa / Nonimmigrant visa

An official permission slip from a government. It is usually a colorful stamp inside a passport that lets you travel to the U.S. for a specific reason.

Green card / Lawful Permanent Resident card

A special photo ID card that proves someone has permission to live and work in the United States forever. It got its name because it used to actually be green.

B-2 nonimmigrant visa (tourist)

A temporary visa for people who just want to visit the U.S. for a vacation, to see family, or to get medical help.

F non-immigrant visa (student)

A temporary visa that lets someone come to the U.S. to go to a school, college, or university.

H-1B nonimmigrant visa (temporary employment)

A visa that lets U.S. companies hire smart workers from other countries for special jobs, like computer programmers or scientists.

H-4 nonimmigrant visa

A visa for the husbands, wives, or children of workers who have an H-1B visa, so the family can stay together.

A special, quick work visa just for professional workers coming from Canada or Mexico.

Diversity visa lottery

A giant, lucky-draw lottery the U.S. government holds every year. It gives people from countries with very few immigrants in America a random chance to win a Green Card.

Getting a visa or green card automatically just because your parent or spouse got one. You "ride along" on their application.

an employment-based first-preference visa for individuals with "extraordinary ability" in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

Terms for Immigration Documents- Elementary School

Katie Faal
Jul 19
2 min read

These are the official documents and permissions that let people travel or stay.

Immigration: The word for when a person leaves the country they were born in to go live and make a new home in a different country.

Immigration status: The official, legal category the government puts you in (like "Visitor," "Student," or "Permanent Resident"). It shows what your rules are while you are in the country.

Visa / Nonimmigrant visa: An official permission slip from a government. It is usually a colorful stamp inside a passport that lets you travel to the U.S. for a specific reason.

Green card / Lawful Permanent Resident card: A special photo ID card that proves someone has permission to live and work in the United States forever. It got its name because it used to actually be green.

B-2 nonimmigrant visa (tourist): A temporary visa for people who just want to visit the U.S. for a vacation, to see family, or to get medical help.

F non-immigrant visa (student): A temporary visa that lets someone come to the U.S. to go to a school, college, or university.

H-1B nonimmigrant visa (temporary employment): A visa that lets U.S. companies hire smart workers from other countries for special jobs, like computer programmers or scientists.

H-4 nonimmigrant visa: A visa for the husbands, wives, or children of workers who have an H-1B visa, so the family can stay together.

TN NAFTA visa: A special, quick work visa just for professional workers coming from Canada or Mexico.

Diversity visa lottery: A giant, lucky-draw lottery the U.S. government holds every year. It gives people from countries with very few immigrants in America a random chance to win a Green Card.

Derivative status: Getting a visa or green card automatically just because your parent or spouse got one. You "ride along" on their application.

EB-1A: an employment-based first-preference visa for individuals with "extraordinary ability" in the sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics.

Terms for Immigration Documents- Elementary School

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