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IMMIGRANT VISAS

An immigrant visa is required of anyone who wishes to enter the United States to reside there permanently, whether or not that person plans to seek employment in the United States. U.S. immigration law provides for the issuance of immigrant visas in four general categories:

  • immediate relatives
  • family based
  • employment based
  • Diversity Immigrant Visa Program ("green card lottery")

All applicants for immigrant visas, regardless of the category, must be the beneficiary of an approved petition. U.S. Embassy Praia will accept petitions for immediate relative classification from American citizens who are resident in Cape Verde. To demonstrate residency in Cape Verde, petitioners need to show that they had permission to reside in Cape Verde and proof that they have done so continuously for at least six months before filing the petition.

All lawful permanent residents and all American citizens resident in the United States, or with a permanent residence in the United States, must file I-130 petitions at the USCIS Service Center having jurisdiction over their place of residence. Click here to find the USCIS Service Center nearest you.

Applicants who believe they are entitled to immigrant status based on a relationship to a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident should request their relatives to a file Form I-130 with the nearest United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) office in the United States. If the American citizen resides abroad, he or she may file the petition with the closest USCIS office.

Applicants for employment based immigrant visas, who believe they are entitled to immigrant status based on proposed employment in the United States, must have an approved Form I-140 from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Prior to receiving such approval, applicants must obtain Department of Labor certification that there are no qualified workers available in the United States to perform the proposed type of employment.

Immediate Relatives

The following immediate relatives of U.S. citizens are eligible to qualify for immigration in the immediate relative category:

  • Spouse or Minor Child of a U.S. Citizen -  An immigrant visa may  only be processed for a child if he/she has no claim to U.S. citizenship.
  • Parent of a U.S. Citizen - U.S. Citizen must be 21 or over
  • Step-parent or child of a U.S. Citizen - Step-Parent/Step-Child relationship must occur before the child's 18th birthday
  • Spouse of a deceased U.S. Citizen - Petition must be filed within 2 years of the death of the U.S. Citizen                                       

Please note that grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

**There are no numerical limitations in this category.**

Family Based Immigration

Persons seeking to immigrate in one of the family based preference categories will qualify for immigrant status if they have the necessary relationship to a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident as described below.

  • Unmarried Son or Daughter over the age of 21 of a U.S. Citizen  
  • Spouse or Unmarried Son or Daughter of a Lawful Permanent Resident  
  • Married Son or Daughter of a U.S. Citizen  
  • Brother or Sister of a U.S. Citizen  (U.S. Citizen must be 21 or over) 

Please note that grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, and in-laws cannot sponsor a relative for immigration.

**This category of immigrants is subject to numerical limitations.**

Employment Based Immigration

In general, a specific offer of employment from a U.S. based employer is required for immigration in the employment based preference categories below.

  • Priority Workers - Persons of extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, arts, business or athletics: outstanding professors and reserarcher and certain multinational executives and managers
  • Members of 'The Professions', persons with an exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business - Defined as a member of the professions holding an advanced degree or equivalent, or baccalaureate degree plus at least 5 years of progressive experience in the specialty, and persons of exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, and business
  •  Professional - A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and who is a member of the professions
  • Skilled and Unskilled Workers - Skilled workers with at least two years training or experience, and unskilled workers whose skills are in short supply in the U.S.  (Note:  The Embassy does not keep a list of these professions.)
  • Special Immigrants - Certain religious workers and ministers of religion, certain international organization employees and their immediate family members, qualified and recommended current and former employees of the U.S. government, and returning residents
  • Investors - Persons who will create employment for at least 10 unrelated persons by investing a minimum of $1,000,000 in a new commercial enterprise in the U.S.

Diversity Immigrant Visa Program

The Congressionally mandated Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available 50,000 permanent resident visas annually, drawn from random selection among all entries to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the U.S.  For more information about this program, please click here. 

If you have questions about immigration, you may call the Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Praia during information hours on Wednesdays and Thursday between 3:00 and 4:30 (238 260-8900), or e-mail praiaconsular@state.gov.

 
For Legal U.S. Residents