Glossary Page

Citation Analysis
Publication impact documentation
Consultation Waiver
Exemption from advisory opinion
Qualifying Relationship Documentation
Corporate structure proof
Business Plan Evidence
Entrepreneurial venture documentation
Itinerary
Schedule of planned activities
Contract or Summary of Oral Agreement
Employment terms documentation
Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)
Sponsor financial commitment
Police Clearances
Criminal background checks
Medical Examination (Form I-693)
USCIS health assessment
Initial Evidence
Required filing documentation
Civil Documents
Government-issued vital records
Documentary Evidence
Official supporting records
Supporting Evidence
Documents proving eligibility
Receipt Date
USCIS filing acknowledgment
Unlawful Presence
Time without legal status
Maintain Status
Ongoing compliance requirement
Grace Period
Pre/post validity allowance
240-Day Rule
Continued employment provision
Validity Period
Document effective timeframe
Processing Time
USCIS adjudication estimate
Final Action Dates
Completion processing dates
Per-Country Limits
7% annual country limitation
Retrogression
Backward movement of dates
Visa Bulletin
Monthly visa availability publication
Current Priority Date
Eligible for final processing
Priority Date
Place in visa queue
Form I-94
Arrival/Departure Record
Form I-797
Notice of Action
Form I-907
Request for Premium Processing Service
Form I-539
Application to Extend/Change Status
Form I-485
Application to Register Permanent Residence
Form I-140
Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers
Form I-129
Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker
Service Centers
USCIS regional processing facilities
Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)
USCIS appellate review office
National Visa Center (NVC)
Document processing facility
CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Border inspection agency
Department of State (DOS)
Consular processing agency
USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
Immigration benefits agency
Certified Translation
Official English translation
Attestation
Sworn statement of facts
Expert Opinion Letters
Third-party professional testimonials
Comparable Evidence
Alternative qualifying evidence
Secondary Evidence
Alternative documentation
Primary Evidence
Preferred documentation
Preponderance of Evidence Standard
More likely than not standard
De Novo Review
Fresh case review
Totality of Evidence Analysis
Comprehensive evidence evaluation
Motion to Reconsider
Request based on legal error
Motion to Reopen
Request based on new facts
Administrative Appeal
Formal challenge to decision
Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID)
Preliminary denial notice
Request for Evidence (RFE)
USCIS request for additional documents
Portability
Job change flexibility
Dual Intent
Immigrant and nonimmigrant intent
Premium Processing
Expedited USCIS service
Advance Parole
Travel authorization document
Adjustment of Status
Green card application in U.S.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)
Work permit document
Change of Status
Switch between visa categories
Concurrent Filing
Simultaneous form submission
Consular Processing
Green card application abroad
Derivative Beneficiary
Family members of principal
Principal Beneficiary
Primary petition beneficiary
Beneficiary
Person seeking immigration benefits
Petitioner
Party filing immigration petition
Exceptional Ability
Above-ordinary expertise
Advanced Degree Professional
Higher education requirement
Proposed Endeavor
Specific work activities plan
Third Prong: Balance of National Interest
Waiver justification requirement
Second Prong: Well-Positioned to Advance Endeavor
Capability assessment
First Prong: Substantial Merit and National Importance
Value and significance requirement
Matter of Dhanasar Framework
NIW evaluation standard
EB2 NIW
National Interest Waiver category
Two-Step Analysis
USCIS adjudication method
Three-of-Ten Criteria
EB1A evidence requirement
Priority Worker
Highest employment-based tier
EB1C Multinational Executive/Manager
International business executives
EB1B Outstanding Professor/Researcher
Academic professionals category
EB1A Extraordinary Ability
Self-petitioned extraordinary ability
EB1 Classification
First preference employment-based category
Blanket L Petition
Pre-approved company petition
Qualifying Organization
Entity meeting relationship requirements
Specialized Knowledge
Company-specific expertise
Managerial Capacity
Management and supervision role
Executive Capacity
Senior decision-making role
L1B Classification
Specialized knowledge workers
L1A Classification
Managers and executives transfer
L1 Visa
Intracompany transfer visa
Evidentiary Criteria
Specific requirements for proving ability
Consultation/Advisory Opinion
Expert opinion on extraordinary ability
Sustained National or International Acclaim
Maintained recognition over time
O-1A Classification
Extraordinary ability in sciences/business/athletics
Extraordinary Ability
Top-tier expertise in field
O-1B MPTV Classification
Extraordinary achievement in motion picture/TV
O-1 Visa
Nonimmigrant visa for extraordinary ability
O-1B Arts Classification
Extraordinary ability in arts
O1 extraordinary ability visas
Nonimmigrant classification for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences,