Applying for a job or permanent residency in the US is a lengthy process. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gets and processes your papers. However, USCIS processing times can be long, depending on the type of application and various challenges that may come along the way. You might wait a bit longer, making you anxious and bored.

Whether you’re applying for a green card or waiting to get a work permit, make the most out of your waiting time with these enjoyable and productive activities.

1. Save Money

Regardless of the type of application, saving money in case your papers get approved and you fly to the U.S. will help you settle in the country. Keep a portion of your monthly salary to fund your expenses when you get to the U.S. It’s important to prepare for the spending you’ll have to do once you arrive in the country.

2. Check The Status Of Your Application

To check if your application is moving forward, go to the official website and USCIS and follow the instructions regarding checking case status. The approval may depend on a case-by-case basis and on how many backlogs the USCIS has.

If you want to speed up your application, contact your immigration lawyer on how to request expedited processing. The USCIS will expedite requests when you’re in a severe financial loss, you need medical attention, your relative has died, your living conditions are unsafe, and your employment needs are urgent. Take the necessary steps your lawyer advises to get your receipt notice immediately.

3. Gather Documents

You may be asked to submit additional documents to the postal service while you wait for your application’s approval. Gather the papers you think can strengthen your application and compile them in one folder. Make copies of these documents when necessary in case of any emergency, like fire and loss of original copies in transit.

4. Start A New Hobby Or Craft

Keep boredom out of your waiting period with a new craft or hobby. Starting one will give you a sense of purpose and entertainment.

Some of the hobbies you can take are:

• Cooking and baking: Release your inner chef and learn to cook the food you want.
• Knitting: Knit small wearables to sweaters that you can use for long winter nights.
• Photography: Capture sights and compile them in an album.
• Joining a book club: Immerse yourself in different worlds through books and discuss with fellow readers.
• Meditation: Join yoga classes to relax your mind and body.

You can write down your experiences with these hobbies and crafts in a journal to have something to look back on when you’re already living in the US.

5. Keep Your Body Healthy

An active lifestyle extends your lifespan, keeps your body strong, and spares you from medical emergencies. It also improves your mental well-being as it reduces the stress you feel every day.

Join a bike club, sign up for a gym membership, or try extreme sports to keep your body moving. Find an activity that will physically challenge you to push beyond your limits. If you don’t want these activities, you can walk briskly for 30 minutes or visit parks to connect with nature.

6. Brush Up On Your English Skills

If you’re not a native English speaker, the waiting period is the best time to learn and improve your English. Take English classes in schools near you to have a formal learning experience. Polish your speaking skills using online learning apps or watching English movies and television shows. Read English books to enhance your vocabulary as well.

Learning English when you want to live in the US is important. A grasp of the language before you move in helps you assimilate with the people and culture easily, especially if you’re planning to become a permanent resident.

7. Prepare For Job Hunting

Let’s say you don’t have a job yet when you get to the US. You have to look for work to sustain your living expenses. To get yourself started with the job hunting, you have to:

• Research potential positions in your field that align with your previous job experiences.
• Improve your existing skillset and learn important ones by signing up for online courses.
• Connect with professionals to gain job leads.
• Rewrite your resume and cover letter to show potential employers your latest skills and experience.

Being prepared for job hunting removes the worry about how you’ll look for a job once you get your work permit and settle in a new country.

8. Spend Time With The People That Matter

As you plan to move out of your country, the people you’ll leave behind will miss you. Spend time with your family, friends, and the people you once worked with by organizing little get-togethers like lunches and house parties. It doesn’t have to be grand—a simple and intimate gathering will do.

Working With A Trusted Immigration Law Firm For Your Immigration Application

You might need to move out of your country and settle in the US eventually. The visa process and immigration process are both complicated in their way. Working with a highly regarded immigration law firm will help you understand immigration law, green card applications, and your immigration benefits. Their lawyers are more than qualified to handle various immigration cases.

So whether you have a pending green card application, are waiting for an advanced parole document or employment authorization document for your employer, or a family member petition, a respected immigration law firm can guide you through the immigration application process.

Conclusion

The waiting time for every kind of visa is different. Spending your waiting period doing productive things is a good way to pass the time and improve yourself in the process. Learn new skills, make memories with people close to you, and prepare for your future when the waiting time begins.

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