Immigration/Visas

The following websites and contact information are resources to help you with questions or concerns that you have about immigration and obtaining visas for the United States.  Formerly handled by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), immigration in the U.S. is now handled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services bureau of the Department of Homeland Security. 

If you cannot find the information you are looking for or need further assistance, please contact Senator Bayh’s Indianapolis office at 317-5540750 or through the contact form. 

If you would like to comment on U.S. immigration policy, please click here.  If you would like to find information about traveling to other countries and obtaining visas for those countries, click here.  If you have an issue involving a border or port of entry issue, you should visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Visas for Visiting the United States

To visit the United States temporarily, you must obtain one of two temporary visas either for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical reasons (B-2).  These visas can be obtained at U.S. Consulates and Embassies across the world.  The U.S. has agreements with 27 visa waiver countries.  The list of these can be found here.  Citizens from these countries may visit the United States for up to 90 days for business or pleasure without obtaining a visa first.  Citizens of Bermuda, Canada and Mexico have special procedures, which can be found here.

Visas for Living in the United States Temporarily

Student Visas
Students wishing to study in the United States will typically need to obtain one of two student visas: a standard student visa (F-1) of a vocational student visa (M-1).  All students are encouraged to apply as early as possible.  Visit the student visa section of the State Department website for more information on applying.

Work Visas
There are many visas available for work in the United States that vary depending on the type of work, length of stay and your country of origin.  You should visit the State Department’s website visa types page for information on all of these visas.

Visas for Living in the United States Permanently

In general, in order to be eligible to apply for an immigrant visa, a foreign citizen must be sponsored by a U.S. citizen relative or by a prospective employer.  There are also Congressionally-mandated Diversity Visas, which offer 50,000 immigrant visas a year to countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.  For more information, visit the State Department’s webpage on visa types for immigrants.

Helpful Contact information

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
National Customer Service Center
800-375-5283
800-767-1833 (TTY)
Immigration Forms/Where to Submit Immigration Forms

U.S. State Department
National Visa Center (Immigrant Visa information)
603-334-0700
Visa Status
202-663-1225
Office of Children’s Issues
888-407-4747

Legal Help for Immigrants in Indiana

Several resources are available to immigrants in Indiana who are seeking legal help.

The Indiana State Bar Association can offer an attorney recommendation.  Their contact information is:

Indiana State Bar Association
230 East Ohio Street
Fourth Floor
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
(317) 639-5465

In addition, the USCIS website has information on finding attorneys available for little to no fee, depending on your financial situation. 

If you are not able to pay for an attorney, you may also contact the Indiana Pro Bono Commission.  This commission maintains a list of private attorneys throughout the state who have expressed a willingness to volunteer their time to represent or consult with an eligible client.  There contact information is:

Indiana Pro Bono Commission
(317) 639-5464
(800) 266-2581 (toll-free) 
probono@inbar.org