The United States is still a popular destination for people wanting to realize the "American Dream." The U.S. boasts nearly every kind of landscape in a country that spans more than 9 million kilometers and is the third largest in the world (after Canada and China). The U.S. also espouses the world's most ethnically diverse population and attracts tourists and settlers from all across the globe.

The U.S. affords every kind of interest to residents and visitors alike, from winter sports to tropical beaches. Natural wonders include the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls and the protected national parks of the north-west and Florida. Man-made marvels range from the New York skyline to Disneyland. Museums and art galleries contain many of the world's treasures and there are many places of interest to students of American history, from Boston, Jamestown and the other early settlements on the eastern seaboard to Basin Street, Nob Hill and Hollywood.

U.S. immigration legislation can be bewildering for would-be migrants. One is faced with over 100 different kinds of visa to choose from - only one of which is likely to be exactly right for you! Furthermore, many classes of visa are restricted by a quota, which limits the number of people that will be accepted each year.

The US permanent residence visa is known as the Green Card, which identifies the holder as a permanent resident of the United States. Green Cards in certain categories can be obtained fairly quickly. In other categories, even if you have the strongest qualifications possible, it can still take months or years to obtain your status due to the quota system and ever-changing immigration policies.

There are numerous kinds of non-immigrant, or temporary, visas. Unlike Green Cards, which are identical once allocated, temporary visas differ from each other in the benefits they offer, as well as how long they last. Most importantly, your application will be processed much faster if your intention is not to take up permanent residence right from the start.