Styczeń
1
Poniedziałek
-7°C - Słonecznie
🇵🇱 🇺🇸

🇺🇸 USA Guide: Immigration and paperwork

Practical guides on "Immigration and paperwork". Plain language, with examples for the Polish community in the USA.

← Back to USA Guide

🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

Tourist Visa in the USA Expires: I-94, I-539 Extension, Overstay, and 3/10 Year Bans (2026)

The legality of your stay is determined by the date on the I-94, not the visa's validity; ESTA has no extensions (emergency satisfactory departure for up to 30 days), while for B-2 you must file I-539 (470/420 USD) before the deadline, with over 180 days resulting in a 3-year ban and over a year leading to a 10-year ban, alongside changes in 2025 and 2026 regarding registration, ESTA fees, and asylum fees.
Immigration and paperwork
🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

PESEL Abroad: How to Obtain It Through the Polish Consulate in the USA (2026)

A Polish citizen living in the USA receives a PESEL when applying for a passport, while a person born abroad first needs a transcription of their birth certificate (costing 71 USD at the consulate); this guide explains when you already have a number, who is a citizen by birth, the costs involved, and how to secure your PESEL.
Immigration and paperwork
🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

Bringing a Parent to the USA: I-130 and IR-5 Green Card for a Parent (2026)

A parent can only be brought to the USA by a citizen who is at least 21 years old; this article explains the I-130 petition (625/675 USD), the process through NVC and the embassy or I-485 in the USA, fees from G-1055 (10/16/2026), I-864 thresholds from 3/1/2026 (2 persons: 27,050 USD), public charge from 9/18/2026, and Medicaid and Medicare for the parent after arrival.
Immigration and paperwork Seniors in the USA
🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

ESTA or Tourist Visa to the USA: Differences, Who Can Use It, What to Choose

Poles have been traveling to the USA without a visa since November 11, 2019. We compare ESTA (90 days, $40.62 from October 16, 2026, no extensions) with the B-1/B-2 visa ($185, interview in Warsaw or Krakow, up to 6 months). Who cannot get ESTA (countries since 2011, Cuba since 2021, dual citizenship), how to apply, and what to do after a denial.
Immigration and paperwork
🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

Family Sponsorship to the USA: Who Can Sponsor, Form I-130, Visa Bulletin

A U.S. citizen and Green Card holder can file an I-130 for family members; this article explains the IR and F1–F4 categories with statutory limits, how to read the Visa Bulletin (Poland: All Chargeability), fees effective October 16, 2026, I-864 thresholds from March 1, 2026, and two pathways: in the USA and through the consulate.
Immigration and paperwork
🇺🇸 USA Immigration and Documents Verified

Advance Parole: Traveling from the USA During the Green Card Process (Form I-131)

Waiting for your Green Card (I-485)? Traveling without Advance Parole usually results in your case being abandoned; we explain who needs AP, current fees as of October 16, 2026 (I-131 is not free with I-485 from April 2024), emergency situations, and an important change from August 2026 regarding the 3 and 10-year re-entry bans.
Immigration and paperwork

Related topics

Safety and privacy US taxes Social Security and retirement Health and insurance Work in the USA Personal finance Scams and fraud Credit and banking Housing and rentals New York area Chicago area Children and education Car and driver license Seniors in the USA Travel and shipping Regional Polish communities Border and customs Investing and retirement