Foreigners need to secure approval from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in order to move to Las Vegas. USCIS is the government agency charged with processing (1) immigrant visa petitions, (2) citizenship petitions, and (3) asylum and refugee applications, among other functions.
Below our Las Vegas immigration attorneys answer frequently-asked-questions about the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Click on a topic to go to that section.
- 1. When do I need to contact the USCIS?
- 2. Do I need the USCIS if I am just visiting Nevada?
- 3. Where is the USCIS in Las Vegas, NV?
Also refer to our article on ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in Nevada.
1. If I am a foreigner, do I need to deal with the USCIS to come to Nevada?
Probably. The USCIS administers lawful immigration to the U.S. Just some of the programs that the USCIS oversees are summarized below.
Working in the U.S.:
USCIS manages the process that allows foreign citizens to work in the U.S. These opportunities may be temporary, while others are permanent. Read more about employment-based visas.
Note that verifying a foreigner’s legal right to work in America is known as E-Verify. This system permits participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Read more about unlawful employment of aliens.
Immigration of Family Members:
USCIS oversees the process that permits current permanent residents and U.S. citizens to bring close (qualified) relatives to live in the U.S. Read more about spousal visas and fiancé(e) visas in Nevada.
Citizenship:
Citizenship encompasses the naturalization process. Foreigners who want to become U.S. citizens through naturalization will file their completed applications to USCIS. If USCIS approves it, they will schedule a date for the applicant to take the Oath of Allegiance. USCIS will also determine eligibility and provide documentation of U.S. citizenship for those people who have acquired or derived U.S. citizenship through their parents. Read more about naturalization laws.
Humanitarian Programs:
USCIS administers humanitarian programs that provide protection to individuals inside or outside of the U.S. who may be displaced by war, famine, civil and political unrest, or risk of torture and death by others. Learn more about humanitarian parole laws, asylum laws, and refugee laws.
Adoptions:
USCIS oversees the first steps for U.S. citizens to adopt children from foreign countries. Learn more about immigration through adoption in Nevada.
Emergency Travel:
Aliens in Nevada who leave the U.S. for emergency reasons may have trouble later re-entering the U.S. unless they get the proper documentation before the trip. Learn more about emergency travel.
Civic Integration:
Furthermore, USCIS gives immigrants current and correct information to help them effectively integrate into American civic culture.
2. Do I need to contact the USCIS for a non-immigrant visa?
Maybe not. Foreigners who are planning to temporarily leave their home countries to visit Las Vegas for business or pleasure would apply to the U.S. Department of State through a DS 160 Form. But if they choose to extend their non-immigrant visas to stay longer in the U.S., then they would need to petition the USCIS for an extension of stay using an I-539 Form.
3. Where is the USCIS located in Las Vegas, Nevada?
The Las Vegas USCIS field office is located at:
5650 West Badura Avenue, Suite 100
Las Vegas, NV 89118.
Note that there is also a USCIS field office in Northern Nevada. The address for the Reno USCIS field office is:
790 Sandhill Road
Reno, NV 89521
The general USCIS phone number is 800-375-5283.
Do you need an immigration attorney in Nevada?
When dealing with USCIS or any immigration issues, it is important to work with a legal professional in order to ensure that your rights are protected. Immigration is detailed and can be quite confusing, so it is therefore in your best interest to reach out to an experienced immigration attorney who will explain the different laws and who will work hard to ensure that you receive the best possible outcome in regards to your legal matters. Call our Las Vegas NV immigration attorneys for a consultation.